Application Process
Work permit application process for UK applicants in International Experience Canada between the ages of 18 and 30.
Application Evaluation
The application process to participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative involves two stages:
- IEC Assessment: to determine whether you meet the IEC eligibility criteria, using a secure IEC Kompass account, and;
- An assessment of your admissibility to Canada and eligibility for a work permit. This stage is submitted using the "Come to Canada" wizard and a secure MyCIC account.
In this section, we will explain to you the:
Status of your application during processing
There are two stages of assessment of your application: the IEC assessment for program eligibility, using IEC Kompass; and the immigration assessment, using MyCIC. Please review our Service Standards.
IEC assessment
Once you have submitted an application by using IEC Kompass, received your World Tracking Number (WTN) and paid your participation fee, IEC will start assessing your application against the program eligibility criteria. IEC will assess applications in the order they are received.
If the assessment is positive, IEC will send a conditional acceptance letter to your IEC Kompass account. This letter will include instructions on how to proceed with stage two of the application process. If the assessment is negative, IEC will send a letter to your IEC Kompass account, explaining the reasons and refund procedures.
To check your application status, <log in> to your IEC Kompass account and look at <My Application Status>.
You will need to have obtained an IEC conditional acceptance letter before you can proceed with stage two of the application process, which is assessment of your admissibility to Canada and eligibility for a work permit. Stage two of the application process will be conducted by using MyCIC.
Immigration assessment
Stage two of the application process is an immigration assessment. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will assess your admissibility to Canada and eligibility for a work permit as per Canadian immigration legislation. If the assessment is positive, CIC will send you an IMM 5665 <Letter of Introduction> through your MyCIC account, not to your IEC Kompass account.
However, IEC will send you a <Welcome Letter> to your IEC Kompass account after you have received the IMM 5665 Letter of Introduction from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. If the assessment is negative, IEC will send a letter to your IEC Kompass account, explaining refund procedure.
To communicate with IEC, use the My Messages function in your IEC online account.
International Experience Canada is unable to respond to questions about immigration, visas or assessments using MyCIC. To communicate with the immigration service, refer all questions to Question@cic.gc.ca, or visit their website at www.cic.gc.ca.
Letter of Introduction
We strongly recommend that you wait until you receive your Letter of Introduction from Citizenship and Immigration Canada 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.
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 service officer at the port of entry. Your Letter of Introduction must have a Permit validity. This is the final date upon which you can present the letter at a Canadian port of entry and receive a work permit.
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. The 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 Service Officer at the port of entry upon your arrival in Canada.
If the officer is satisfied that your entry is consistent with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations, you will receive a work permit.
Check your work permit carefully before leaving the Border Service 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.
Important Reminders:
- We strongly recommend that you wait until you receive your Letter of Introduction before you book or pay for any travel to Canada, buy comprehensive health care insurance for your stay in Canada or make any commitments to employers, landlords, or roommates.
- The border service officer may ask you for proof of funds and proof of health care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization, repatriation and travel back to your country). Your insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of 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 provided at the port of entry. It will show:
- A validity period of up to 12 months from the date you enter Canada, under the Working Holiday category.
- 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, where you are offered a position. 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.
- The work permit will also have a notation "This does not authorize re-entry." This signifies that the permit allows you to work in Canada but does not act as a visa or passport to allow you access to Canada. If you hold an Irish national passport, this provision does not affect you because you are visa-exempt.
To work in Canada you will need to meet any 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. It is your responsibility to check your work permit thoroughly at the time it is issued.
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.
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