+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

How many IEC visas can Australians get?

NZjosh

Member
Sep 29, 2013
18
2
Hello, how many international experience Canada visas can Australians get? I'm on my 2nd 2yr visa and wondering if I can get a 3rd?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,950
22,190
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
See the detailed info here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/work/opinion/experience/bilat.asp
 

NZjosh

Member
Sep 29, 2013
18
2
Thank you for the fast reply! Couldn't find that info anywhere

Just have a question about this:
"Participation in International Experience Canada (IEC) with a recognized organization does not count towards the frequency of participation allowed by the specific country agreements."

The way I understand that is if I go through an organization for example IEP that does not count as a participation?
 

NZjosh

Member
Sep 29, 2013
18
2
So I emailed IEP and they said I can get a third 2yr visa, a lot more expensive at $545 plus work visa fees!

Ive applied today and will let everyone know if it gets accepted
 

NZjosh

Member
Sep 29, 2013
18
2
3rd IEC was accepted! ( just need to activiate it at the border)

Their was a note on the letter stating you cannot work more then 4yrs cumulatively and ive worked 3.5yr so not sure if im only going to get a 6 month visa or 2 years

has anyone else ran into this problem?
 

NZjosh

Member
Sep 29, 2013
18
2
Flagpoled at the Alberta/ Montana border this week

Was given another 2 full years, apparently the 4yr rule hasent started yet even tho it was printed on my visa

CBSA dident accept alberta healthcare and alberta bluecross coverage as my insurance and made me buy travel insurance for the full 2 yrs even tho they accepted that for my last work permit ( i think it all depends who you get at the border)
 

juju211221

Star Member
May 28, 2014
183
13
Category........
Visa Office......
cpc-ottawa
NOC Code......
6321
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
19-08-2014
Doc's Request.
20-01-2016
AOR Received.
11-12-2014
Med's Request
21-01-2016
Med's Done....
02-02-2016
Passport Req..
DM : 07-03-2016
VISA ISSUED...
21-03-2016
LANDED..........
:D 22-03-2016
NZjosh said:
3rd IEC was accepted! ( just need to activiate it at the border)

Their was a note on the letter stating you cannot work more then 4yrs cumulatively and ive worked 3.5yr so not sure if im only going to get a 6 month visa or 2 years

has anyone else ran into this problem?
IEC program is part of the 4 years EXEMPTION rules, so you don't have to worry for it. you can work 4 years and + under IEC if you want to ( as long as you're eligible for an IEC program ;D
 

johnep

Newbie
Nov 17, 2015
3
0
Hey NZjosh, great to hear that you got that third IEC! I'm in the same boat right now, and I'm just wondering -- how did you go through IEP? They mentioned that it wouldn't make a difference if I applied through them or not, but my understanding is that you'd need to go through them to get the third visa.

Just trying to figure out all my options right now! If you could let me know how you did it, I'd really appreciate it.
 

ozlis

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2015
807
48
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Do it yourself, it's so much cheaper!

Paperwork is really straight forward, you won't have any hassles. I did my third IEC in sept, had approval start to finish within two weeks.
 

johnep

Newbie
Nov 17, 2015
3
0
ozlis!

Are you Australian? I'm confused as to how you were able to apply a third time (by yourself) since Australians have it capped at a maximum of two times participation. When you applied for the third time, did you have to claim you have already participated twice?

I'm going by the "Participation in International Experience Canada (IEC) with a recognized organization does not count towards the frequency of participation allowed by the specific country agreements." - but also don't see the difference other than paying the extra fee for the program.

My last query is perhaps you were able to do it a third time because of this:

"Determine your eligibility

Note: As an Australian citizen, you may participate in the Working Holiday category only once. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may participate in IEC one more time through the International Co-op (Internship) category.

If you participated in IEC before 2015, you are eligible for a final participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice." Does this sound right to you?
 

ozlis

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2015
807
48
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Yep, I'm Australian.

The applications are currently closed until next year. However, there are new caps that came in this year on the amount of times that you can participate. So from 2015 onward, you can only get the one visa in each category.

If you have done a Working Holiday visa issued prior to 2015 they are letting you do one last one (it doesn't matter if it is your second, third, fourth etc).

At least that is how they ran it this year, fingers crossed that they keep that in for next year too.
 

johnep

Newbie
Nov 17, 2015
3
0
Ozlis! Thank you for this info and most definitely fingers crossed they keep that for next year too.

My 2nd IEC was issued in 2014 (it runs out in April 2016 - I know, usually the new quota opens March, so it's pretty much get all papers ready to apply then refresh refresh browser, apply and hope for the best!) - so if that's the case, I really do hope they keep that "prior to 2015" rule.

If that sticks, then it throws out the "Participation with a recognized organization" path - since it's really just paying for a program, which provides assistance to something I have already applied for by myself in the past. Which is good if it saves me some money!

Thanks again!
 

ozlis

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2015
807
48
Category........
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
To be honest I don't think the 'participation with a recognized organisation' would not, not count - at the end of the day you would have had a visa.

I'm sure it will be CIC wording for an obscure program that is around.

I know that the system opened in 2014 in Jan so you might have more time up your sleeve.
 

Camwow9

Newbie
Nov 26, 2015
6
1
Hi All,

Just reading this thread and I was wondering whether someone has experienced my situation:
My IEC working holiday that I applied back in October 2013 was successful and I have been working for the two year period (ended yesterday - 25th November 2015).
I ran into trouble where I honestly mistakenly applied young professional which I should of selected working holiday. This was an oversight, and after I got approved for a Conditional Acceptance Letter (CAL) I was not able to submit a CIC application within 14 days after receiving the CAL. I have a current work in progress CIC application that was submitted on the 6th of October 2015 which I haven't had any responses yet.

I believe I have to re-apply IEC in 2016, however I am 31 years old already which doesn't fit the criteria. I had applied for a second IEC in August this year which I was 30 years old.
I hope maybe IEC can pity my situation where I made an honest mistake filling the application and accept me for next year.

Thoughts anyone?

Cameron