Work and travel abroad using a recognized organization: International Experience Canada

If you want to work and travel abroad through International Experience Canada (IEC), you can contact a recognized organization (RO) for help to plan your trip. ROs are Canada-based organizations that help youth work and travel internationally through IEC. They can be non-profit, for profit or educational. Most ROs charge a fee for their services.

Each RO provides different services that offer more support before and during your experience. They might also have their own eligibility requirements.

Depending on the country you want to travel to and their work or travel programs, they can help you

• get information about your destination country, including
  • culture
  • languages
  • laws
  • taxes
• find a job
• find transportation
• with general support and advice

Using a recognized organization

You don’t have to use an RO, but you can choose to use one for more support before and during your experience.

If you decide to use an RO, visit their website for details on what services they offer Canadians, their fees and how to contact them.

List of recognized organizations

AIESEC Canada

AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth through professional work and travel experiences.

Target market: Youth aged 18–30

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only

GO International

GO International helps Canadian youth work and travel overseas. GO International offers work, travel and internship programs overseas, and supports Canadians going abroad with visa application guidance, job placements, accommodation services, travel and tour options, emergency support, ongoing personal support and more.

Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only

International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) offers paid international student and professional opportunities in technical career-related jobs to Canadian university and college students for 8 to 52 weeks at a time.

Target market: Youth aged 18–35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories and IAESTE member countries

International Internship Network

The International Internship Network offers personalized academic internship /co-op and working holiday programs for post-secondary students and youth to the specific partner countries listed below.

Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35

Eligible countries: Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom

A-Way to Work/International Rural Exchange Canada Inc.

Through A-Way to Work, the non-profit International Rural Exchange Canada offers paid opportunities to young people in

• agriculture
• hospitality
• culinary arts
• tourism
• horticulture
• landscaping
• other sectors.

Target Market: Youth aged 18–35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only

Languages Canada

The Languages Canada consortium offers a variety of work abroad opportunities for Canadian youth, specializing in work placements for English teachers in training and in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only

Stepabroad (Stepwest)

Stepabroad is a working holiday placement agency focused on giving young Canadians the opportunity to travel, live and work in destinations around the world.

Target market: Youth aged 18–35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only

SWAP Working Holidays

SWAP Working Holidays helps with working holidays and young professional work and travel opportunities.

Target market: Youth aged 18–35

Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories and the United States only