Bilateral agreements and arrangements: International Experience Canada (IEC) – [R205(b) – C21] – Reciprocity – International Mobility Program (IMP)
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
There are 3 possible categories of participation through bilateral agreements and arrangements under the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program:
- Working Holiday (travel and work): Participants are eligible to apply for an open work permit that will allow them to work for any employer or location in Canada to subsidize their stay as they travel and discover the country.
- Young Professionals (career development): Participants are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit that will help them gain professional work experience in Canada.
- International Co-op (Internship) (internships for students only): Participants are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit that will help them gain experience in their field of study.
On this page
Medical requirements
Refer to the program delivery instructions on medical requirements for information on who requires an immigration medical exam (IME).
Police certificate requirements
Officers processing IEC applications from countries or territories that have no mandatory requirement to provide a police certificate for IEC may ask the applicant to provide one, if required.
Applicants who have lived in other countries or territories outside of their permanent residence for 6 consecutive months or more since their 18th birthday must provide a police certificate for each of those countries or territories. Refer to How to get a police certificate and Police certificates for more guidance.
Residence requirements
Applicants must provide a permanent mailing address that is in their country of citizenship even if the applicant’s current residential address is not in their country of citizenship. Italian citizens must also provide a residence certificate (“certificato di residenza”) to prove they live in Italy. This certificate must be translated into English or French.
Discontinuance requirements
Where there is a discontinuance requirement (meaning a specific length of discontinuous stay specified in the agreement), the discontinuous stay will be calculated from the expiry of the first work permit.
For the IEC Program, even though there are discontinuation clauses under the youth mobility arrangements (YMAs), the clauses apply only between one IEC participation and the next IEC participation. If a foreign worker has finished their IEC participation and has applied for a work permit renewal in another work permit category, the discontinuation clause in the YMA doesn’t apply. For more information, consult International Experience Canada (IEC) program participants changing work permit categories.
Applications for work permits in the IEC Program are always submitted “outside of Canada” and therefore do not meet the requirements for maintained status for an extension of stay under subsection 183(5) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). IEC work permit applications do not meet the requirements for work without a permit under paragraph R186(u) either.
Program requirements specific to each country or territory
Described below are the program requirements specific to each country or territory that holds a bilateral agreement or arrangement with Canada’s IEC Program:
Andorra
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Australia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement:
- a participation of 24 months in either the Working Holiday or Young Professionals category
- a second participation of 12 months in the International Co-op (Internship) category
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals (Graduates) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
International Co-op (Work placements) International Co-op (Inter-institutional work-study agreement) |
18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months (unless it is the applicant’s second participation since 2015, in which case, 12 months) | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Australia at the time of application |
Note: Australian citizens who participated in the program prior to the 2015 quota year are eligible for 1 final participation in the category of their choosing. An applicant is considered to have participated prior to 2015 if their application(s) was submitted to any quota year prior to the launch of the 2015 quota year which took place on March 3, 2015.
There was no participation limit imposed on Australians prior to 2015. As such, Australians may have participated numerous times before the 2015 year. All Australian applicants who participated prior to 2015, regardless of the number of participations are eligible for a final participation of 24 months in the category of their choice.
Austria
Applicants are allowed 3 participations under the bilateral agreement. No repeat categories are allowed.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals (Canada–Austria Intra- & Partner-Company Training Program) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be permanently employed by an Austrian company and be coming to work with a partner, parent or subsidiary company in Canada |
| International Co-op (Internship) (Canada–Austria Young Workers Exchange Program) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific internship or work placement must be in forestry, agriculture, or tourism | 6 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Austria and must be registered as a student in forestry, agriculture or tourism or have graduated in 1 of those fields within the past 12 months at the time of application |
Belgium
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Belgium at the time of application |
Chile
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals (supplementary graduate training) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (young worker exchange program) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Chile at the time of application |
Costa Rica
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Costa Rica at the time of application |
Croatia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Student must be registered at a school in Croatia at the time of application |
Czech Republic
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of the Czech Republic at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of the Czech Republic at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be a resident of the Czech Republic and must be registered at a school in the Czech Republic at the time of application |
Note: For Czech nationals applying under International Co-op (Internship), this stream is only available to those currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution and internships in Canada must be paid.
Denmark
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a citizen of Denmark and a habitual resident in Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands) at the time of application |
Estonia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Estonia at the time of application |
Finland
Applicants are allowed 3 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
France
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement and can choose the order of these 2 participations:
- a participation of 24 months in the Working Holiday, Young Professionals or Young Professionals Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) category
- a second participation of 12 months in the International Co-op (Internship) category
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals VIE (see note 2) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements. Enrolment in a training centre in France is also acceptable |
Note 1: French citizens who participated in the program prior to the 2015 quota year are eligible for 1 final participation in the category of their choosing. An applicant is considered to have participated prior to 2015 if their application(s) was submitted to any quota year prior to the launch of the 2015 quota year which took place on February 21, 2015. Those who have participated in IEC more than once before 2015 are no longer eligible.
Note 2: The Government of France established the Volontariat international en Entreprise (V.I.E) program to provide French youth with an opportunity to gain professional experience in an international environment. These youth are assigned to the international branches and subsidiaries of French-based companies. The primary objective of this program is the professional training of high-achieving French youth through international exposure. This allows them to boost their professional development and nurture potential future professional relationships between themselves and the host country.
Business France, the Government of France’s business export development and promotion agency, manages the VIE program. French youth participating in VIE do not receive either a salary or wages but rather a stipend or monthly allowance paid to them directly in France by Business France. This allowance helps VIE participants to cover the cost of living in their host country while also maintaining residential ties to France. VIE participants are to return to France upon completion of their assignment. Business France also guarantees that VIE participants do not become a financial burden for their host country by providing housing and covering any health-care costs.
Germany
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Greece
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Hong Kong
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be an ordinary resident of the Hong Kong SAR holding a valid Hong Kong SAR passport or a valid British National (Overseas) passport |
Iceland
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Ireland
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. One participation must be under the International Co-op (Internship) category.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered in a school in Ireland at the time of application |
Note: Irish citizens who participated in the program prior to the 2013 quota year up to a period of 12 months are eligible for 1 final participation of up to 24 months in the category of their choosing. An applicant is considered to have participated prior to 2013 if their application(s) was submitted to any quota year prior to the launch of the 2013 quota year which took place during January 2013. Those who participated in IEC for more than 12 months on applications made before 2013 are no longer eligible.
Italy
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. The Repeat category is permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Italy at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Italy at the time of application |
| International Co-op (internships) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Italy at the time of application |
Note: Before November 1, 2022, residents of Italy could only participate once in the working holiday category, and were issued a 6 month work permit with the possibility to apply for additional 6 months as visitors.
As of November 1, 2022, Italian citizens may participate in International Experience Canada twice, in any category. Previous participation will count towards the total number of participations allowed. For example, if a candidate submitted an application before November 1, 2022, the terms of the old arrangement apply (they are limited to a 6 month work permit and can apply to extend their stay as a visitor). However, those candidates can now apply for a second (and final) participation of up to 12 months in the category of their choice.
Japan
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Japan at the time of application |
Latvia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 1 year discontinuance | Must be a resident of Latvia at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 1 year discontinuance | Must be a resident of Latvia at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 1 year discontinuance | Student must be a resident of Latvia and must be registered at a school in Latvia at the time of application |
Lithuania
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Student must be registered at a school in Lithuania at the time of application |
Luxembourg
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Mexico
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday (students only) | 18 to 29 years | Open | 12 months | 3 years discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 29 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 years discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 29 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 years discontinuance | Student must be registered at a school in Mexico at the time of application |
Note: The youth mobility agreement between Canada and Mexico is currently under review. As a result Invitations to Apply are not being sent at this time.
Netherlands
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of the Netherlands at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of the Netherlands at the time of application |
Note: Nationals of all of the Dutch Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten) are Dutch citizens, and they are therefore eligible under the agreement.
New Zealand
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 23 months (starting in 2015) | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Norway
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. Repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Norway at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Norway at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of the Norway at the time of application |
Poland
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 6 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 6 months discontinuance | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 6 months discontinuance | Student must be registered at a school in Poland at the time of application |
Portugal
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
San Marino
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Slovakia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Slovakia at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Slovakia at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Student must be a resident of Slovakia and must be registered at a school in Slovakia at the time of application |
Slovenia
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Slovenia at the time of application |
South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted for the Working Holiday and Young Professionals categories. Applicants can only participate once under the International Co-op (internship) category.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (internships) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
Note: Before December 11, 2023, citizens of the Republic of Korea only had access to the Working Holiday category and could only participate once in the program for up to 12 months. As of December 11, 2023, citizens of the Republic of Korea may participate in International Experience Canada twice. Previous participation will count toward the total number of participations allowed. For example, if a candidate submitted an application before December 11, 2023, the terms of the old agreement apply (they are limited to a 12-month work permit). However, those candidates can apply for a second (and final) participation of up to 24 months under the Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op category.
Spain
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Spain at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Spain at the time of application |
| Young Professionals ICEX Vives (see note) | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Spain at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Student must be a resident of Spain and must be registered at a school in Spain at the time of application |
Note: The Vives program was established by the Government of Spain through ICEX, a federal agency whose mission is the internationalization of the Spanish economy and Spanish companies. Modelled after the French Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE) program, ICEX Vives offers graduate internships to youth with companies legally incorporated in Spain, including subsidiaries, branches and representative offices in Canada. Its primary objective is to provide business development training to Spanish youth.
ICEX manages the Vives program through its offices in Spain. Spanish youth participating in the program do not receive a salary or wages, but they receive a grant paid to them directly by ICEX. The amount is determined according to the city and country of destination, ranging from €21,300 to €42,800 (approximately CAD 31,000 to CAD 62,000 as of December 2022). This allowance helps Vives participants cover round-trip travel expenses as well as living expenses in their host country. Vives participants are also provided with accident and travel insurance for the duration of their internships. Vives participants are to return to Spain upon completion of their placement.
Sweden
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is not permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 30 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Sweden at the time of application |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Sweden at the time of application |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 30 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be a resident of Sweden and must be registered at a school in Sweden at the time of application |
Switzerland
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted if the sum of the 2 participations is within the 18 month total limit.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 18 months Total duration of the 2 permits combined cannot exceed 18-months |
No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 18 months Total duration of the 2 permits combined cannot exceed 18-months |
No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Switzerland at the time of application |
Taiwan
Applicants are allowed 1 participation under the bilateral agreement.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in Taiwan at the time of application |
Ukraine
Applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement. A repeat category is permitted.
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | No specific requirement | Student must be registered at a school in the Ukraine at the time of application |
Note: The youth mobility agreement between Canada and Ukraine is currently under review. As a result are not being sent at this time.
United Kingdom
Applicants are allowed 2 participations for a total of 36 months under the bilateral agreement:
- a first participation of 24 months under any category
- a second participation of 12 months under any category
| Available categories | Age eligibility | Type of work permit | Maximum validity period | Discontinuance requirement | Residence requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | 18 to 35 years | Open | 24 months – 1st participation |
No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| Young Professionals | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months – 1st participation |
No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
| International Co-op (internships) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 24 months – 1st participation |
No specific requirement | No specific requirements |
The applicant must be a British citizen from 1 of the following territories: the United Kingdom or the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Note: Before December 11, 2023, British citizens only had access to the Working Holiday category and could only participate once in the program for up to 24 months (up to 12 months prior to 2015). As of December 11, 2023, British citizens may participate in International Experience Canada twice in any of the 3 available categories. A previous participation will count toward the total number of participations allowed.
British citizens who participated in the program before 2015 for up to 12 months are eligible for 1 final participation of 24 months in any category. Applicants are considered to have participated if they arrived in Canada and their work permit was issued.
Those who already participated in IEC twice are no longer eligible.
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