Citizens of San Marino May Now Work in Canada Under International Experience Canada (IEC) Program

the CanadaVisa Team - 29 December, 2016

San Marino has become the latest country to sign a bilateral agreement with Canada that allows its citizens to live and work in Canada under the popular International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 from the tiny country, which is entirely surrounded by Italy and has a population of just 33,000, may now participate under the Working Holiday IEC category.

Successful applicants from San Marino may work in Canada on an open work permit for up to 12 months at a time, up to a maximum of two participations.

Many individuals who come to Canada on an IEC work permit end up remaining longer, sometimes permanently, once they get a taste for all that Canada has to offer. Other IEC participants take the opportunity explore various parts of Canada over the course of their time in Canada. There are now 33 countries that have such an agreement with Canada.

Eligibility requirements for the IEC program

Candidates must:

• be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the 33 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada;
• have a valid passport for the duration of their stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not be longer than the validity of the passport),
• be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 at the time of application (the upper age limit depends on the applicant’s country of citizenship);
• have the equivalent of $2,500 CAN 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; and
• pay the appropriate fees.

Please note that specific age and eligibility requirements may vary by country.

Learn more about the International Experience Canada program.