Work in Canada
Ottawa Invites Over 7,000 International Experience Canada Candidates in a Month
Over the past month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended invitations to nearly 7,158 candidates under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
From February 26 to March 24, IRCC conducted new draws in the pools of International Experience Canada (IEC), inviting a total of 7,158 young internationals to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of March 24, the pool consisted of 35,247 candidates eagerly awaiting their invitation to apply.
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Detailed Breakdown of Invitations
Let’s delve into the specifics of these invitations. In this round, candidates from various countries were extended Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for IEC open work permits. Here’s a breakdown of the ITAs issued for select countries:
| Country | ITAs Issued |
| Australia | 467 |
| Austria | 22 |
| Belgium | 61 |
| Chile | 115 |
| Costa Rica | 28 |
| Croatia | 12 |
| Czech Republic | 164 |
| Denmark | 55 |
| Estonia | 18 |
| Finland | 35 |
| France | 1,898 |
| Germany | 323 |
| Greece | 24 |
| Hong Kong | 31 |
| Iceland | 6 |
| Ireland | 383 |
| Italy | 183 |
| Japan | 374 |
| Korea | 942 |
| Latvia | 7 |
| Lithuania | 38 |
| Luxembourg | 4 |
| Netherlands | 56 |
| New Zealand | 182 |
| Norway | 14 |
| Poland | 58 |
| Portugal | 126 |
| Slovakia | 63 |
| Slovenia | 4 |
| Spain | 213 |
| Sweden | 49 |
| Switzerland | 44 |
| Taiwan | 241 |
| United Kingdom | 918 |
In total, Canada issued 53,175 ITAs under the IEC Program in 2024.
Exciting Addition: Finland Joins IEC Member Countries List
We’re pleased to announce that Finland has been added to the list of eligible IEC member countries. Starting from March 1, 2024, Finnish nationals can submit their profiles and enter the pool for consideration. The first round of invitations for Finnish candidates will commence during the week of March 11, 2024.
IEC Season 2024 – Â What You Need to Know!
The IEC 2024 season officially commenced on December 11, 2023. Eligible individuals from participating countries can submit their profiles to the IEC pool. The Canadian government has indicated that invitations for the first round will be issued starting the week of January 8, 2024.
IEC 2024 Fees
For the 2024 season, the fee for participating in the IEC program is CAD 172. It’s important to note that the cost may vary depending on the specific program chosen. Here’s a breakdown of the fees:
- Working Holiday program: $100
- Young Professionals and International Co-op candidates: No additional fee (Employers are required to pay a CAD 230 employer compliance fee)
- Biometrics fee (if required): $85
Under certain circumstances, applicants may be eligible for a refund of the IEC fee, open work permit holder fee, and employer compliance fees. Refunds are available if the work permit application is withdrawn before receiving the Port of Entry (POE) letter of introduction or if the application is refused.
The recent influx of invitations under the International Experience Canada program reflects Canada’s bold vision to attract talented individuals from around the world. With the addition of Finland to the list of participating countries, opportunities for international experience continue to expand.
