1. International Experience Class (IEC)
IEC program provides young individuals from participating countries with the opportunity to work and gain valuable professional experience in Canada. IEC allows young individuals to come to Canada and work on a temporary basis (1-2 Years).
The mandate of International Experience Canada (IEC) is to enhance key bilateral relationships between Canada and other countries and emphasize the importance of improved reciprocity.
Citizens of countries with a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 30 (for some countries age is 35) may be eligible for IEC work permits. Work permits issued under IEC are exempt from the requirement for a Labor Market impact Assessment.
Applicants can not extend their work permit under the IEC program. However, IEC participants may be able to extend the validity period of their work permits beyond what was initially granted by the border services officer at the time they entered Canada.
There are following 3 categories under this program:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op Internship
Working Holiday
This program is designed for young people who wish to experience Canadian culture and explore the country while working to support themselves. Participants in this program can receive an open work permit, valid for one to two years. Open work permits allow participants to work anywhere in Canada for almost any Canadian employer. Because of relatively relaxed requirements this program is extremely popular.
Working holiday visa is approved through a randomized draw system. Not all foreign nationals who submit expressions of interest will be selected for the program. Chances of success depend on the quota for each program and country. Certain occupations, such as those in health, primary or secondary education, childcare, or elderly care, require applicants to undergo a medical examination as a prerequisite.
Young Professionals
This program intended to provide young professionals with the opportunity to gain professional work experience related to their field of expertise. Under this program, citizens of participating countries are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain professional work experience in Canada. Job Offer and/or employment contract is required with a Canadian employer before applying. Job Offer must fall under NOC TEER 0,1,2 or 3 as per National Occupation Classification. A NOC TEER 4 job might be accepted if it’s in the field of study and the youth can submit a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree with their work permit application.
International Co-op
Applicants who are enrolled at a post-secondary institution in their country of citizenship are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit to help them gain experience in their field of study. Participants must arrange co-op placements with Canadian employers before applying under this program and they should have a job offer for a work placement or internship in Canada. Applicants will work for the same employer in the same location during their stay in Canada.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates applying under IEC program must:
- Be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the participating countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada.
- Have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada.
- Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (for some countries age is 35) at the time of application.
- Have the equivalent of $2,500 CAD upon landing to help cover initial expenses.
- Be able to take out health insurance for the duration of their stay (participants may have to present evidence of this insurance at the point of entry in Canada).
- Be admissible to Canada.
- Have, prior to departure, a round-trip ticket, or the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket for the end of their authorized stay in Canada.
- Not be accompanied by dependents.
- Pay the appropriate fees.
Note: Specific age and eligibility requirements may vary by country.
2. International Agreements
International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) typically include clauses that aim to simplify and promote temporary entry for individuals engaged in business activities on a reciprocal basis. Eligible persons entering under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will generally require a work permit but are exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
International Mobility Program (IMP) allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis without going through Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
Difference between Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP)
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) | International Mobility Program (IMP) |
| LMIA is required | No LMIA is required |
| Work Permit is employer specific (closed work permit) | Work Permit may be open or closed |
| The program is to fill the labour shortages on a temporary basis (Labour market-based) | The program objective is to advance the Canada's broader economic and cultural interests |
| Based on specific labour needs (occupation and region) | Based partially on international reciprocal agreements (e.g., CUSMA, CETA, IEC etc.) |
| The program requires employers to search for Canadians before extending job offer to foreign worker | Employers may hire foreign national without first offering the position to Canadians |
| A transition plan is required to hire foreign nationals for high-wage positions | A transition plan is not required to hire foreign nationals for high-wage positions |
| Usually, employers are required to pay fee for LMIA application ($1,000). | Employer are required to pay compliance fee ($230) unless applicant holds an open work permit |
Canada-International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
- Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – formerly known as North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Canada-Chile FTA / Canada-Peru FTA / Canada-Colombia FTA / Canada-Korea FTA
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Agreement on Trade Continuity between Canada and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (CUKTCA)
- General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
- Canada–Panama Free Trade Agreement
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) – formerly known as North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
CUSMA facilitates temporary entry for businesspersons who are citizens of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and who are involved in the trade of goods or services, or in investment activities. CUSMA abolish tariffs and other barriers to business conducted between the countries, which includes allowing citizens of each member country to have access to the others. Only citizens of the three member countries are qualified, and permanent residents are not included.
As of July 1, 2020, NAFTA has been superseded by the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA); however, the Temporary Entry for Businesspersons chapter remains unchanged.
Workers and employers using the CUSMA program provisions are exempt from LMIA. Work Permit applications may be done at a Canadian Port of Entry or at a visa office, either online or on paper.
CUSMA applies to four categories (Business Visitors, Professionals, Intra-company transferees & Traders and Investors) of business people.
Business Visitor
A business visitor is someone who enters Canada to conduct business and is not directly employed in Canada. Business Visitors are usually in Canada for a short period of time (e.g., a meeting or conference). Business visitors engage in international business activities related to research and design, growth, manufacture and production, marketing, sales, distribution, after-sales service, and general service
Professionals
Professionals are business persons who enter to provide pre-arranged professional services— either as a salaried employee of a Canadian enterprise, through a contract between the business person and a Canadian employer, or through a contract between the American or Mexican employer of the business person and a Canadian enterprise. Professionals are not subject to an LMIA but require a work permit.
3. Intra-Company Transfer
International Mobility Program (IMP) allows high-skilled foreign workers to temporarily work in Canada as an Intra-Company Transferee (ICT). If an international company has a location (branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) in Canada that company can transfer their employee to the Canadian location. Employers bringing international staff to Canada as intra-company transferees are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as they provide significant economic benefit to Canada through the transfer of their expertise to Canadian businesses. Intra-company transferees may be from any country. Intra-Company Transferee must also work in a capacity that is considered managerial, executive, or involving specialized knowledge.