International Experience Canada is open for the 2024 season
On December 11, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada announced the opening of the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. Nearly 90,000 youths from IEC partner regions can join, with applications open from December 11, 2023. The IEC enables Canadian and international youths aged 18–35 to work and travel reciprocally.
Canada has youth mobility partnerships with 35+ regions, including new or improved arrangements with Finland, Iceland, Ukraine, South Korea, and the UK in 2023.
In 2024, Canadian youth will have more opportunities for international exposure, and IEC’s automation technology will streamline processing. The 2024 season will positively impact employers and the tourism industry by enabling participants to experience Canada through work and travel.
In March 2023, Canada and Finland signed a new youth mobility agreement. Finland’s youth are expected to be able to participate once the agreement is ratified by both countries in 2024. As travel to Ukraine becomes safe, youth will be able to participate in the Canada-Ukraine youth mobility agreement.
IRCC announced new bilateral agreements under the IEC
On December 11, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced updates to the International Experience Canada (IEC) bilateral agreements. The Government of Canada established new agreements with Iceland, while the youth mobility agreements with the UK and South Korea received updates for the 2024 season.
Crucial changes to note include UK applicants now have the opportunity to participate twice, amounting to a total of 36 months. South Korea has introduced the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories, allowing a repeat category. For Chilean applicants aiming for the International Co-op, it is mandatory to be registered at a Chilean school at the time of application.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated:
“Canada benefits when young people around the world participate in International Experience Canada. This program will help Canadian employers in their search for talented employees, but will also serve to stimulate the tourism sector across the country. We also hope that young Canadians will take advantage of the reciprocal aspect of this program to gain work and travel experience from around the world that will serve them throughout their lives.”
Categories in the International Experience Canada
IEC has three levels of participation:
Working Holiday: Participants on a Working Holiday receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country to fund their travels.
International Co-op (Internship): International Co-op (Internship) participants are provided with an employer-specific work permit, allowing them to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
Young Professionals: Participants in the Young Professionals program are given an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience in their field of study or career path.
If you want to know more details about “International Experience Canada is open for the 2024 season” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Tel: (416) 604–2669
Email: info@immigrationmatters.info
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