International Experience Canada (IEC) – Bilateral agreements and arrangements: Canadian interests – Reciprocal employment (International Mobility Program [IMP])
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 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 to 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 to help them gain professional work experience in Canada.
- International Co-op (internships for students only): Participants are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain experience in their field of study.
On this page
Medical requirements
Refer to the medical requirements program delivery instructions for information on who requires an immigration medical exam.
Police certificate requirements
IEC applicants who are from countries or territories that have no requirements to obtain a police certificate for IEC may be asked by the officer processing their application to provide one.
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 for information on police certificate requirements.
Residence requirements
If the applicant’s current residential address is not in their country of citizenship, then they need to provide a permanent mailing address that is in their country of citizenship.
Discontinuance requirements
Where there is a discontinuance requirement (i.e., a specific length of discontinuous stay as specified in the agreement), the discontinuous stay will be calculated from the expiry of the first work permit.
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:
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 | No specific requirements |
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 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 (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) graduate of post-secondary program in forestry, agriculture or tourism | 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 at 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 | No specific requirements |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 | Must be a resident of 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 | 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 | 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 |
Note: 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.
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 |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 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 | 6-month work permit; may apply to stay an additional 6 months as a visitor | No specific requirement | Must be a resident of Italy at the time of application |
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 | Must be a resident of 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 | No specific requirements |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 | 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 |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 | 12 months discontinuance | 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 | Must be a resident of 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 | No specific requirements |
South Korea
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 the Republic of Korea at the time of application |
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 |
| International Co-op (Internship) | 18 to 35 years | Employer-specific | 12 months | 3 months discontinuance | Must be a resident of Spain at the time of application |
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 | Must be a resident of 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 | No specific requirements |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 | No specific requirements |
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 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 | 24 months | 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: British citizens who participated in the program prior to the 2015 quota year for a period of up to 12 months are eligible for 1 final participation of 24 months. 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 12, 2015. Those who participated in IEC for more than 12 months on applications made before 2015 are no longer eligible.
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