Canada is allowing more youth to work and travel to Canada in 2023 through the IEC program
On December 1, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, launched the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply. Applicants will be able to apply as of January 9, 2023.
What is IEC
The government program is designed to help Canadian and international students gain valuable international work experience, improve language skills in English and French. It allows young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who reside in any of Canada’s 36 partner countries to work and travel for up to two years in Canada, and vice versa.
The 20% increase means that nearly 90,000 candidates will be able to work and travel in Canada, including Francophone youth, which will help employers fill labour gaps, including for seasonal work opportunities in Canada’s tourism industry.
According to the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of IRCC “By giving youth the opportunity of international travel and work experience, we are strengthening our economy and helping our businesses succeed, particularly in places like Banff that need seasonal help.”
There are 3 categories of participation under the program:
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- Working Holiday participants receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels.
- International Co-op (Internship) participants receive an employer-specific work permit that allows students to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
- Young Professionals participants receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.
