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Work Permit Application Status
Work permit application process for Dutch applicants in International Experience Canada between the ages of 18 and 30.
Application packages for International Experience Canada (IEC) are processed in the order in which they are received. The postmarked date on the envelope is not relevant. It normally takes eight weeks to process a complete application package from the date it is received at the Embassy of Canada.
The Visa and Immigration section of the Embassy of Canada to Austria will verify your application as per Canadian immigration law and regulations.
You will be required to undergo medical examination if:
- in the year before you apply to visit Canada, you have spent more than six consecutive months in a designated country (list of designated countries);
- you foresee yourself working with children, in elementary or secondary schools, or in health services.
You must use the medical forms provided by the Embassy of Canada to Austria for your medical examination, and you must have your examination done by a designated medical practitioner. A list of designated medical practitioners will be provided. Medical examinations done by anyone other than a designated medical practitioner and/or those who do not use the provided medical forms will not be accepted.
You will have 30 days to undergo the medical examination. If the results of your medical examination are unsatisfactory, your application will be closed and the program participation fee will be reimbursed.
If your medical examination results are accepted and the work permit application is approved, you will be sent a Letter of Introduction , as well as an IEC Welcome Letter. If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter detailing reasons for the rejection and your application will be closed. Your program participation fee may also be refunded pursuant to the Refund Policy.
At any time during the processing of the application, Citizenship and Immigration Canada may request additional information or documents to determine your admissibility to Canada.
Letter of Introduction
We strongly recommend that you wait until you receive your Letter of Introduction (which will be sent to you by email) before you pay for any travel to Canada, buy health-care insurance for your stay in Canada, or make commitments to your prospective employer in Canada (provided you have one).
The Letter of Introduction is not your work permit. Rather, it will identify you at the port of entry to Canada as being eligible to receive a work permit under International Experience Canada. As such, you must be sure to present the Letter of Introduction to a border services officer at the port of entry. Your Letter of Introduction will be valid for 12 months from its date of issue. The final date upon which you can present the letter at a Canadian port of entry and receive a work permit will be shown on the letter.
The issue of your Letter of Introduction completes the processing of your IEC application package.
On Arrival in Canada
The expiry date of the Letter of Introduction will be clearly shown, and you must present the letter at a port of entry on or before its expiry. This expiry date cannot be altered, extended or changed under any circumstances. You cannot transfer your Letter of Introduction to any other person or name.
You must present your Letter of Introduction and passport to a border services officer at the port of entry upon arriving in Canada.
If the officer is satisfied that your entry is consistent with the Immigration and Refuge Protection Act and Regulations, you will receive a work permit.
Check your work permit carefully before leaving the border services officer. Make sure you understand all the information on it. Check the date of expiry on the work permit. If you think there is a mistake, tell the officer who issued it immediately. It is your responsibility to check your work permit thoroughly at the time it is printed.
Reminder: The border services officer may ask you for proof of health-care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation). Your insurance policy must be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada. We recommend that you wait until you receive your Letter of Introduction before you book or pay for any travel to Canada or buy health-care insurance for your stay in Canada.
You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less than 12 months, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. In this case, you may not apply for an extension of your work permit at a later date.
Your work permit will be stapled into your passport at the port of entry. It will show:
- A validity period of up to 12 months from the date you enter Canada.
- If you are participating under the Working Holiday category, your work permit will indicate “open” employer and “open” employment location. This means you can work for any employer in Canada at any geographic location in Canada. There is no restriction on the length of time or the number of hours you can work, as long as your work permit is valid.
- If you are participating under the Young Professionals category, your work permit will indicate the name of your employer and the location of your pre-arranged employment, work placement or internship. This means that you can work only for this employer as indicated in your Letter of Introduction.
- The work permit will also include the words: “This does not authorize re-entry.” This means that the permit allows you to work in Canada but does not act as a visa or passport to allow you to re-enter Canada. If you hold a Dutch passport, this provision does not affect you because you are visa-exempt.
To work in Canada you will need to meet all Canadian federal or provincial registration or licensing requirements that are relevant to your occupation. Thus, if you are offered work in construction, in a medical field, as a mechanic or engineer, or in any other skilled area, you should find out whether you need to meet any provincial licensing or regulatory requirements. For further information, please visit Working in Canada.
The work permit obtained through International Experience Canada is not valid beyond the expiry date printed on it.
If you wish to stay in Canada as a tourist once your work permit expires, you should visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website or call (in Canada) 1-888-242-2100 to check the requirements for changing your status from a worker to a visitor. You should make your inquiries while your work permit is still valid.
