International Experience Canada: After you apply

Processing your application

If you already applied, you can use the application status tracker(opens in a new tab)  to get updates on your application. To create an account you need your

If you submitted an application between October 22, 2021, and March 31, 2022, you aren’t eligible for any fee refunds under the Service Fees Act.

Learn more about

If we ask you to submit documents for an application in progress

When processing your application, we may ask you to

  • attend an interview with an officer, or
  • send more documents or information

We’ll contact you to request the supporting documents.

    • You’ll have 30 days from the date we contact you to submit the information.

See what to do if you’re missing a document.

If you don’t need to give biometrics, we can begin reviewing your application once you submit your work permit application (including all required documents).

If you submitted one of the following documents, you’ll need to submit copies of your medical exam and police certificate when we ask for them:

  • proof of an appointment for your medical examination or
  • a receipt for your police certificate request

Learn more about how to submit additional documents.

Your application won’t be complete if we only receive your proof of an appointment for a medical examination or a receipt for your police certificate request.

Processing time – 2024 season?

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Processing starts once you’ve submitted all required documents, including biometrics.

International Experience Canada – Walkthrough Guide

We’ll also check that

  • you qualify for a work permit
  • you’ve provided all the required documents and
  • the employer is allowed to hire you (for Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants)

Wait until your application is approved before you

  • buy a plane ticket for any travel to Canada
  • buy health insurance for your stay in Canada
  • make commitments to your prospective employer in Canada
  • commit to any accommodation in Canada
  • cancel your accommodation or leave your job or studies in your home country

If your application is approved

If your application is approved, you’ll receive a port of entry (POE) letter of introduction in your account. The letter does not guarantee entry into Canada or guarantee a work permit.

IEC participants outside of Canada

Before you travel to Canada

To get your IEC work permit

You must show your POE letter of introduction and other supporting documents to a Canadian border services officer at the port of entry (airport, land border) on or before the expiry date of your letter.

The expiry date will be clearly marked on your letter.

A border services officer will review these documents and will make a final decision on whether you can enter Canada.

POE letter of introduction

A POE letter of introduction issued under the IEC Program is valid for 1 year. If you can’t come to Canada before your POE letter expires, it doesn’t count as a participation.

You can’t transfer your letter to any other person or name.

IEC participants already in Canada

You need to maintain legal status in Canada at all times.

If you are in Canada when you receive your POE letter of introduction, you must leave the country and re-enter at any port of entry to activate your work permit.

If you plan to leave and re-enter Canada through the United States, you must meet US immigration requirements.

Extending or changing your work permit

You can only extend your work permit under a limited number of circumstances. There are no exceptions.

An IEC work permit cannot be extended past the maximum duration specified in each country or territory’s youth mobility arrangement.

If your existing work permit has expired, you may apply to restore your status.

You must be eligible to extend your work permit in order to restore your status.

Changing your employer

Under the Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship) categories, you can only change your employer if you have a valid reason. Your new job must still meet the requirements of those categories.

An example of a valid reason to change employers is if the company that you were working for has closed.

If you’re eligible to apply for a new work permit to change employers, you don’t need to wait until your new employer-specific work permit arrives. Follow these steps to start working after you apply for a work permit.

Both you and your employer will have to pay fees.

Applying to stay as a visitor

If your work permit is about to expire and you can’t return home or you’re not eligible to extend your work permit, you need to apply to stay as a visitor before your work permit expires.

Once you apply to change your status to visitor, and your work permit expires, you’ll have what is called maintained status. It will let you stay in Canada until you get a decision on your application. Once your current work permit expires, you must stop working.

Returning to your home country

If you’re having trouble returning to your home country, contact your country’s embassy or consulate directly for help.

If your application is refused

You‘ll receive a letter of explanation in your account.

Withdrawing your application

You can withdraw your application and receive a refund if we haven’t issued you your POE letter of introduction.

To withdraw your application:

  1. contact us using the web form and
  2. in the your enquiry box, include “IEC work permit application withdrawal – (your application ID number).” So, for example: IEC work permit application withdrawal – W123456789.

We’ll review your request. If it’s approved, we’ll refund your

  • IEC fee, and
  • open work permit fee (Working Holiday applicants only)

If your employer paid the employer compliance fee, they’ll also receive a refund.

You don’t have to do anything else to get your refund. Normally, you’ll receive it within 8 weeks of your application being withdrawn. Your refund will be issued to the credit card you used to pay the fees.

If you used a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay in case you need a refund.

If we can’t refund your payment to your credit card, we’ll issue a cheque.

You will not receive a refund if we learn that you misrepresented yourself (gave false information or left out important details).

If you’ve already received your POE letter of introduction

You’re no longer eligible to get a refund or withdraw your application.

Exception

The only exception is for Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship) participants whose employer withdraws the offer of employment before they travel to Canada. If your employer withdraws your offer of employment, we’ll refuse your application, and we’ll refund your IEC fee. Your employer will also be refunded the employer compliance fee. You don’t have to do anything else to get your refund.

Information for your employer

If your employer wants to withdraw their job offer, they can do so through the Employer Portal. If the Withdraw application option isn’t available through the Employer Portal, employers may find specific instructions here.

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