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Young Professionals

Gain a year of valuable international work experience in Canada

“This international experience opened my mind to other opportunities, it helped me to gain the work experience I needed to advance my education. So, in the fall of 2010, I started a graduate certificate in public management and governance at the University of Ottawa.” - Thiago Fernandes, Brazil, International Work Experience in Canada

If you're a Dutch citizen and are between the ages of 18 and 30, you can gain valuable professional experience working for a Canadian company. This will give you an opportunity to:

  • work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
  • learn new approaches based on different perspectives;
  • experience Canada to its fullest!

Why not travel and work abroad through International Experience Canada?

In this global economy, being a highly skilled professional with diverse international experience will only make you more marketable in an increasingly competitive job market.

Canada has an arrangement with the Netherlands that enables the Government of Canada to issue work permits to Dutch citizens who wish to travel and work in Canada for up to one year through International Experience Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the Young Professionals Category

The Young Professionals category is designed for Dutch citizens , particularly registered students at or graduates of post-secondary institutions in the Netherlands, who wish to further their careers by gaining work experience under a pre-arranged contract of employment in Canada (maximum 12 months).

To be eligible for the Young Professionals category, you must:

  1. be a Dutch citizen who normally resides in the Netherlands;
  2. be between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive);
  3. have the equivalent of C$2,500 to help cover your expenses at the beginning of your stay;
  4. be prepared to take out health-care insurance for the duration of your stay – you may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada;
  5. pay a participation fee;
  6. have received a signed letter of offer or contract of employment or internship in Canada that is related to your field of professional expertise (degree and/or work experience) and that supports your career development (progression or lateral movement); and
  7. not have participated in the Young Professionals category before. As a Dutch citizen, you may participate in International Experience Canada only twice and each time under a different category.

If your application for a work permit is successful under the IEC ”Young Professionals” category, you will receive a work permit that is valid for you to work for one specific employer only, i.e. the company or institution that made the job or internship offer to you. Once your application has been approved you cannot change the employer.

Special occupational fields:

If you wish to work in the field of child care, primary or secondary school teaching or health services, you will have to undergo a mandatory medical examination. After receipt of your application, the Embassy of Canada will mail you personalized forms. For a medical examination, a list of designated doctors and general instructions will be provided. Only once the results of this examination have been received can the application be approved. Please be aware that this will take several weeks and that charges apply.

Admissibility (for a work permit)

Every person who enters Canada as a temporary resident (visitor, worker or student) must meet general requirements for temporary entry as set out in Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.

At any time during the processing of your application, Citizenship and Immigration Canada may request additional information or documents to determine your admissibility.

Imagine working at a university in Newfoundland and Labrador, a design firm in Montreal, or a business in Calgary... The possibilities are as endless as the experiences you can add to your résumé!

Independent Travel in Canada

Do you have your year-long Canadian work experience already mapped out?

  • Find a job before applying.
  • Start the application process.
  • Make your own travel and accommodation arrangements.
  • Buy health-care insurance (only once you have received your Letter of Introduction).

Please note : International Experience Canada does not help with financing, travel plans or your job search.

For your own interest, read the guide for IEC participants coming to Canada.

Still have questions? Check our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions

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Date Modified:
2012-05-03