Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about travel and work in Canada?
The following are common questions about lnternational Experience Canada as well as traveling and working in Canada. If you have any other questions, please email us at:
Rome-PA@international.gc.ca.
Eligibility Criteria and Application FAQ
- Is the number of places limited? What is the quota?
- Can I change my status (from worker to visitor through Citizenship and Immigration Canada) while I am in Canada?
- How old must I be to be eligible?
- Is there a deadline to apply?
- I am a dual citizen, Italian-Canadian. May I apply to WHP?
- I am an Italian citizen but resident abroad. May I apply for the Working Holiday Program?
- My IEC application has been approved, but I will soon turn 36. Do I have to enter Canada before my birthday? Will my birthday limit the validity of my work permit?
- How long does my passport have to be valid for in order to apply?
- I have applied for a new passport but have not received it, yet. Can I apply with a copy of my old passport / the receipt of the new passport applied for and submit a copy of the new passport once I have received it?
- How long does it take for approval of my application?
- Do I need to have a job lined up in Canada before I apply?
- What type of insurance must I buy before leaving for Canada?
- I do not have an Italian passport. Is there a working holiday arrangement for me?
- Can I participate in the Canadian IEC-Working Holiday category more than once?
- If I am issued an IEC Letter of Introduction but do not use it, will I get back the program participation fee? Can I apply again in subsequent years?
- I would like to take advantage of IEC to travel within Canada in 2014. What are the criteria?
- I applied to participate in the Working Holiday Program. Can I leave for Canada before receiving my letter of introduction?
- Can I include my family members (my spouse, my common-law partner,) on my IEC application?
- May my child come with me? What will his/her status be?
- Do I need a medical examination?
- Do I have to include my medical examination results in my IEC application package? How can I go about having my medical examination done?
General FAQ
- Why should I participate? What's in it for me?
- Is my home country participating in these programs?
- Do you provide financial assistance?
- What kinds of jobs can I find in Canada?
- Do I need to have found a job in Canada before my departure?
- I am not a student. Can I still participate?
- What is a Letter of Introduction?
- What is the difference between a work permit issued through IEC and any other kind of work permit?
- I have replaced the passport under which my Letter of Introduction was issued (because it was damaged / lost / stolen / I got married) and am about to travel to Canada. May I still use the Letter of Introduction to obtain my work permit?
While-in-Canada FAQ
- Can I volunteer while in Canada?
- I currently have a valid IEC work permit. Can it be extended?
- Is it possible to enrol in a course during my stay in Canada while participating in the IEC initiative?
- I am currently in Canada with a work permit issued under the IEC initiative. My employer would like me to continue working after the permit expires. Is this possible under IEC? What should I do?
- Can I change my status (from worker to visitor / from worker to student / from student to worker / from IEC participant to another category of temporary worker through Citizenship and Immigration Canada) while I am in Canada?
- Does the time on my work permit go “on hold” if I temporarily leave Canada?
- May I leave temporarily Canada during the validity of my work permit?
- How can I prove to have a return ticket to Italy if, at the end of my stay in Canada, it is my intention to travel to another country?
Eligibility Criteria and Application FAQ
- Is the number of places limited? What is the quota?
A: There is a limit of 1000 places for 2013, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. - Can I change my status (from worker to visitor through Citizenship and Immigration Canada) while I am in Canada?
A: To extend your stay from worker to visitor after your six-month IEC participation, you must go to the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada or call them at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada) to check the requirements for changing the conditions of your work permit or extending your stay in Canada.
To apply, you can obtain an application package or apply online from the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You must submit your application 30 days before the expiration of your work permit.
Alternatively, you may leave Canada (including briefly, for example, by going to the U.S.) and then apply at a Canadian Port of Entry for entry into Canada as a visitor. You must meet the requirements to enter Canada. As an Italian citizen, you are eligible to remain in Canada as a visitor for up to six months. - How old must I be to be eligible?
A: International Experience Canada (IEC) is open to people aged 18 to 35. If you are about to turn 18, or will soon turn 36, please note that the age criteria are assessed as of the date your application was stamped as received by the Embassy of Canada to Italy. - Is there a deadline to apply?
A: No, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. - I am a dual citizen, Italian-Canadian. May I apply to WHP?
A: NO. If you have a Canadian passport, you need no Work Permit. - I am an Italian citizen but resident abroad. May I apply for the Working Holiday Program?
A: No, to be eligible you have to be both an Italian citizen and resident in Italy - My IEC application has been approved, but I will soon turn 36. Do I have to enter Canada before my birthday? Will my birthday limit the validity of my work permit?
A: No to both questions. Your Letter of Introduction is valid for presentation at a Canadian port of entry for one year from the date of issue and is not affected if you turn 36 within its validity period. - How long does my passport have to be valid for in order to apply?
A: You must hold a valid passport at the time you submit your application. If you have been accepted as a participant and you are preparing to enter Canada through IEC, the validity period of your passport should cover the whole time you plan to stay in Canada (up to one year). The validity period of your work permit may not extend beyond the validity period of your passport. - I have applied for a new passport but have not received it, yet. Can I apply with a copy of my old passport / the receipt of the new passport applied for and submit a copy of the new passport once I have received it?
A: No, you have to apply with a copy of the passport with which you intend to travel to Canada - How long does it take for approval of my application?
A: It normally takes about eight weeks to process your application package from the time you first submit it. To avoid delays, please ensure you undergo the medical examination (if required) in a timely fashion following the notification from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. - Do I need to have a job lined up in Canada before I apply?
A: No, under the Working Holiday category, you do not need to have a job lined up in Canada before you apply.
The Embassy of Canada to Italy cannot help you locate prospective employers in Canada. You can find an employer through travel and work abroad organizations, recruitment agencies, Internet job sites or newspapers. You can also consult Working in Canada. - What type of insurance must I buy before leaving for Canada?
A: IEC requires you to buy and maintain health-care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation) for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. We recommend that you buy this insurance only after you have received your Letter of Introduction, confirming that your IEC application was successful.
You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less than 6 months, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. In this case, you are not eligible to apply for an extension of your work permit at a later date. - I do not have an Italian passport. Is there a working holiday arrangement for me?
A: You can visit International Experience Canada to see whether your country of citizenship (that is, the country that issued your passport) is covered by a similar arrangement. - Can I participate in the Canadian IEC-Working Holiday category more than once?
A: No. - If I am issued an IEC Letter of Introduction but do not use it, will I get back the program participation fee? Can I apply again in subsequent years?
A: Fees are not refundable once the Letter of Introduction is issued. As well, each individual may participate in the IEC initiative only once under the Canada-Italy youth mobility arrangement. You are deemed a participant once you are issued a Letter of Introduction. - I would like to take advantage of IEC to travel within Canada in 2014. What are the criteria?
A: Information on the 2014 IEC will be posted toward the end of 2013.
However, you may apply under the 2013 IEC if you plan to enter Canada in 2014, depending on which month you intend to enter. If your application to IEC is successful, you will receive a Letter of Introduction that is valid for one year from the date of issue (this is not your actual work permit). For example, if you were issued a Letter of Introduction on September 15, 2013, you would have until the September 14, 2014, to enter Canada. - I applied to participate in the Working Holiday Program. Can I leave for Canada before receiving my letter of introduction?
A: If you leave for Canada before receiving your letter of introduction for your temporary work permit, it will be up to the Immigration Officer at the point of entry to Canada to determine whether you will be admitted as a visitor (tourist). This person must be convinced that you will respect the conditions of a temporary stay in Canada and not work without the authorization to do so. If you are in Canada when you receive your letter of introduction by email, you will have to leave the country with this letter and present it to an Immigration Officer at a point of re-entry to Canada (i.e. a border crossing) in order to obtain your temporary work permit. - Can I include my family members (my spouse, my common-law partner,) on my IEC application?
A: No. If your family members have the requirements and wish to work in Canada, they must apply to WHP too. - May my child come with me? What will his/her status be?
A: Yes, your child may come to Canada with you.
At the time of applying, you must indicate that your child will come to Canada with you by:- Attaching 2 identity photos of your child, as per the requirements set out by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. These photos must be stapled to the bottom of your application form, face-up, next to yours.
- Attaching a legible photocopy of the identification pages of his/her passport (family name, given name(s), date of birth, issuance and expiry dates). If you would like your child to remain in Canada for as long as you, his/her passport must be valid long enough to cover this period.
- Attaching a letter stating the family members who will accompany you and their data (family name, given name(s), date of birth) and a legible photocopy of the identification pages of his/her passport.
- If you are going to Canada alone on a IEC-WHP, without the other parent, and your child is a minor, you must read carefully the information provided by the Visas and Immigration Service of the Canadian Embassy in Italy for you will also have to prove that you are authorized to travel alone with your child.
If your child is under 6 years old, he/she will be considered a visitor. He/she may attend nursery school, as per the system in place in your province/territory of stay. He/she will not have a student status. The Immigration Officer at the port of entry will ask you to prove that you will be able to provide for the needs of your child during your entire stay in Canada (financial means, fixed accommodation, who will take care of the child while you work, etc.). The duration of your child's visitor status will also be decided at this stage by the Immigration Officer at the border.
If your child is over 6 years old, he/she is of schooling age. It will therefore be obligatory to obtain a study permit for your child before his/her entry to Canada in order that he/she may attend an educational institution there. Your child will consequently have a “student” status. To apply for a study permit. Your child will not need any study permit if the course of study is less than six months.
The Immigration Officer at the port of entry will ask you to prove that you will be able to provide for the needs of your child, who will be considered a student, throughout your entire stay in Canada (financial means, fixed accommodation, who will take care of the child while you work, etc.). The duration of your child's status will also be decided at this stage by the Immigration Officer at the border. - Do I need a medical examination?
A: A medical examination is not normally a requirement, unless any intended employment is in the health services, teaching, child care or any similar or related occupation. If you intend to seek employment in these occupations, you should indicate that on your declaration, in order that we may provide you the appropriate medical instructions once your application has been received. You may not work in these occupations in Canada without having completed the relevant medical examinations. Please be aware that processing time may be extended up to 4 weeks. - Do I have to include my medical examination results in my IEC application package? How can I go about having my medical examination done?
A: You do not have to include medical examination results in your IEC application package. The Visa and Immigration section of the Embassy of Canada to Italy will send you instructions on how to get your medical examination done once they have received your work permit application. You will be notified by email once the medical examination forms are received at the Embassy of Canada to Italy. See “Work Permit Application Status” for more information on this two-stage process.
Note that you undergo the medical examination at your own expense and at your own risk. Completing a medical examination does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
General FAQ
- Why should I participate? What's in it for me?
A: What you learn from other cultures and the self-reliance you gain from living and working abroad are highly marketable assets in a global economy. Companies with international operations often seek employees who are able to communicate effectively in more than one language, and who can understand the nuances of a different culture and its values. An international experience in Canada can help you build these skills and more! - Is my home country participating in these programs?
A: IEC is available in several countries and we are adding new ones all the time. Please see the list of all participating countries on the International Experience Canada website. - Do you provide financial assistance?
A: A travel and work year in Canada can be a very rewarding experience, but it can be expensive. Plan accordingly. International Experience Canada does not provide any financial assistance. You are responsible for your own journey including your travel arrangements, airfare, participation fee, accommodation costs and finding employment in Canada. - What kinds of jobs can I find in Canada?
A: All kinds! It depends on what you want to do and how hard you want to look for employment. Many of our participants find work in the tourism and hospitality industries (for example, in restaurants, pubs and hotels), where Canadian employers are willing to offer temporary work. You can also get work experience in a variety of other fields such as science, law, education, commerce or administration. - Do I need to have found a job in Canada before my departure?
A: No, you may seek employment upon arrival in Canada. - I am not a student. Can I still participate?
A: Of course! International Experience Canada is open to students and non-students aged between 18 and 35 who want to travel and work in Canada. - What is a Letter of Introduction?
A: A Letter of Introduction is a document issued by the Visa and Immigration section of the Embassy of Canada to Italy, confirming that your application for a work permit has been approved. It notifies you that you may enter Canada in order to work. This letter is valid 12 months from the day you receive it. This means that you have 12 months to enter Canada.
The Letter of Introduction is not a work permit in itself. You must present your letter, along with other required documents, to a border service officer at a Canadian port of entry (airport, land crossing). The officer will then issue the work permit, which is valid 6 months from the day of your entry to Canada. - What is the difference between a work permit issued through IEC and any other kind of work permit?
A: A work permit (code C-21) obtained through IEC is issued only to persons who meet the specific IEC eligibility criteria and who are admissible to Canada. For other work permits, you require an offer of employment in Canada. In most cases, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada must also provide a Labour Market Opinion. - I have replaced the passport under which my Letter of Introduction was issued (because it was damaged / lost / stolen / I got married) and am about to travel to Canada. May I still use the Letter of Introduction to obtain my work permit?
A: Yes, as long as the validity period of the Letter of Introduction has not expired. When entering Canada, you must notify the border service officer of this change so that your work permit can be issued in accordance with your current passport information. We recommend that you bring a photocopy of your previous passport along with your current valid passport for presentation at the port of entry. If you changed your passport because you got married, please also bring a copy of your marriage certificate.
While-in-Canada FAQ
- Can I volunteer while in Canada?
A: Yes. You may volunteer during your stay in Canada under the Working Holiday category. However, participants in the Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship) categories should be careful because they do not have “open” work permits and some types of volunteer work may not be allowed. If you have any concerns, you can call Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100 to discuss your options. - I currently have a valid IEC work permit. Can it be extended?
A: No, your current work permit obtained through IEC cannot be extended. - Is it possible to enrol in a course during my stay in Canada while participating in the IEC initiative?
A: Yes, but the course (or courses) must be completed within a six-month period. You may not sign up for a course that is part of a program lasting more than six months (such as a two-year program or four-year degree). In this case, a separate study permit would be required. The working holiday experiences through International Experience Canada may not be combined with formal studies. For more information about studying in Canada and work opportunities as a student, visit the Council of Ministers of Education website, and for scholarships, visit the International Scholarships website. - I am currently in Canada with a work permit issued under the IEC initiative. My employer would like me to continue working after the permit expires. Is this possible under IEC? What should I do?
A: This work permit cannot be renewed or extended. - Can I change my status (from worker to visitor / from worker to student / from student to worker / from IEC participant to another category of temporary worker through Citizenship and Immigration Canada) while I am in Canada?
A: To extend your stay from worker to visitor after your six-month IEC participation, you must go to the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada or call them at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada) to check the requirements for changing the conditions of your work permit or extending your stay in Canada.
To apply, you can obtain an application package or apply online from the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You must submit your application 30 days before the expiration of your work permit.
Alternatively, you may leave Canada (including briefly, for example, by going to the U.S.) and then apply at a Canadian Port of Entry for entry into Canada as a visitor. You must meet the requirements to enter Canada. As an Italian citizen, you are eligible to remain in Canada as a visitor for up to six months. - Does the time on my work permit go “on hold” if I temporarily leave Canada?
A: No, the time on your permit continues to run out. The time cannot be put on hold. - May I leave temporarily Canada during the validity of my work permit?
A: Yes, you may leave temporarily Canada, but the time on your permit continues to run out. - How can I prove to have a return ticket to Italy if, at the end of my stay in Canada, it is my intention to travel to another country?
A: You should be able to prove that you will leave Canada at the end of the 6 months.
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