The three IEC categories
| Category | Work permit | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | Open work permit | Travel and work for most employers |
| Young Professionals | Employer-specific | A job offer that helps your career |
| International Co-op (Internship) | Employer-specific | Students who need a work placement for their studies |
Which categories you can use depends on your country.
Who can participate
- You must be a citizen of an IEC partner country (for example the UK, Ireland, France, Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and many others).
- Most countries: ages 18 to 35. For some countries, the limit is 18 to 29 or 30.
- You need to meet your country's other requirements, such as funds and health insurance.
Check the country list on IRCC's IEC page, since partner countries and quotas change.
How IEC invitations work
- Create an IEC profile and enter the pool for your country and category.
- Wait for an invitation to apply. IRCC sends invitations in rounds during the season. Working Holiday candidates may wait weeks or months, and some aren't invited before the season ends.
- Apply for the work permit within the deadline after you're invited.
The 2026 season is closed to new profiles. People already invited can still finish their applications. Watch IRCC's IEC page for the next season.
From IEC to permanent residence
Skilled work (TEER 0 to 3) on an IEC permit can count toward the Canadian Experience Class after 12 months. Plan early: your IEC permit is time-limited, and gaps in status can cause problems. Our PGWP to PR guide explains similar routes.
Next steps
- Already in Canada on IEC? Keep your status with maintained status.
- Planning PR? Read about the Canadian Experience Class.
- Need a different permit? See our work permit service.