IRCC Outlines Steps That May Be Taken to Increase Work Permit Validity Under International Experience Canada (IEC) Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published instructions on increasing the validity period of work permits under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

Through the IEC program, citizens of countries with a bilateral youth mobility arrangement with Canada who are between 18 and 35 years old may be eligible to work in Canada under one of three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op.

Depending on the participant's country of citizenship and the category under which a work permit is issued, work permits may be valid for up to 24 months. Although no work permit extensions are authorized under the IEC program, there are certain scenarios that allow participants to increase the validity of an IEC work permit.

These scenarios include:

Administrative errors were made relating to the validity period of the work permit.
Validity period of the participant's passport is shorter than the validity period of the offer of employment.
Validity period of the participant’s health insurance is shorter than the validity period of the offer of employment.
Validity period of the offer of employment is shorter than the maximum duration allowed (same employer and employment).
Validity period of the offer of employment is shorter than the maximum duration allowed with changes in working conditions.

The steps that may be taken by participants to increase work permit validity for each of the above scenarios are outlined on this page: International Experience Canada: Increasing the Validity Period of Work Permits. This page also outlines the requirements for employers in each scenario, if applicable.

Individuals who find themselves in one of the listed scenarios are encouraged to review their options by consulting the page linked above. There, they will find information relating to their specific situation.

If you have any questions about participating in the IEC Program or increasing the validity of an IEC work permit, please send an enquiry to wp@canadavisa.com. A work permit expert will get back to you.