International Experience Canada (IEC) - Questions

[hasopaul]

When I receive an invitation and I sent off my documents and get my visa. When does it expire? 24 months after I receive it or 24 months after I enter Canada?

Can I work full time for 24 months for the same employer?
-If so, what if the contract is longer than 24 months, it is easy to get another visa?

Many Thanks,
Paul

 

[scylla]

24 months after you enter Canada.

Generally speaking, it's very difficult to extend since the employer has to obtain an approved LMIA.

 

[hasopaul]

follow up to that 24 months after I enter Canada. Could I stay say 90 days on my electronic holiday visa looking for a job then switch over to my IEC visa once I start the job?

Also

24 months after you enter Canada.

Generally speaking, it's very difficult to extend since the employer has to obtain an approved LMIA.

follow up to that 24 months after I enter Canada. Could I stay say 90 days on my electronic holiday visa looking for a job then switch over to my IEC visa once I start the job?

Also, could I apply for another IEC as a dual citizen ? to extend a further 24 months? if so, would two IEC on separate passports still be considered for residency (4 years living in Canada)?

greatly appreciate your response!

 

[scylla]

Yes - you can come in as a visitor on an ETA and then trigger the IEC once you've found a job. If you are coming in on an ETA - you'll want to have a return flight. You'll need to exit the country to trigger your IEC. This means either flying out and back in on an international flight - or driving down to a US/Canada land border, exiting the country and then re-entering.

I don't know if repeat participations are allowed using other nationalities.

 

[hasopaul]

Yes - you can come in as a visitor on an ETA and then trigger the IEC once you've found a job. If you are coming in on an ETA - you'll want to have a return flight. You'll need to exit the country to trigger your IEC. This means either flying out and back in on an international flight - or driving down to a US/Canada land border, exiting the country and then re-entering.

I don't know if repeat participations are allowed using other nationalities.

Thank you again for your response! I am extremely grateful.

Is there a time limit in which I must trigger the IEC? If I was to enter Canada on my ETA and leave and don't come back for another year or two, will the IEC still valid for 24 months?

Also where did you find this info? I've been search online for weeks, trying to find answers to my questions.

 

[hasopaul]

Yes - you can come in as a visitor on an ETA and then trigger the IEC once you've found a job. If you are coming in on an ETA - you'll want to have a return flight. You'll need to exit the country to trigger your IEC. This means either flying out and back in on an international flight - or driving down to a US/Canada land border, exiting the country and then re-entering.

I don't know if repeat participations are allowed using other nationalities.

Also, is there any restrictions to what work I can do? Of course I can't join the armed forces, is there any others ?

 

[Bs65]

Also, is there any restrictions to what work I can do? Of course I can't join the armed forces, is there any others ?

The IEC work permit is an open work permit so you can do any job except health or education working with children where you would need a medical first. Plus of course there are as you would expect jobs that require a licence or professional registration , but generally any job otherwise

 

[Bs65]

Thank you again for your response! I am extremely grateful.

Is there a time limit in which I must trigger the IEC? If I was to enter Canada on my ETA and leave and don't come back for another year or two, will the IEC still valid for 24 months?

Also where did you find this info? I've been search online for weeks, trying to find answers to my questions.

The POE letter will usually be valid for 12 months from date of issue and you must enter Canada before it expires to activate the work permit.

So yes you could enter Canada as a visitor, leave and as long as you come back before the POE letter expires that’s fine.

Keep in mind that if you take the option to come as a visitor for a few months then decide to activate your IEC whilst still in the country you will still need to meet the insurance requirement for the full term agreed for your participating country.

By that say you are in Canada as a visitor for 2 months then go to activate your IEC without having returned to your home country, say a 2 year term you will need insurance for the whole period but specifically the 2 years for the IEC plus of course access to 2500 cdn. The point being not to arrive as a visitor with 2 years insurance , activate your IEC with only 22 months left given you would only get 22 months work permit, hopefully that makes sense

Most of the information can be found on the CIC website, not always obvious but usually can be found. Don’t think any specific answer about visiting first but answers here are based on people sharing their experience although ultimately CBSA at the border always have the last word.

 

[hasopaul]

The POE letter will usually be valid for 12 months from date of issue and you must enter Canada before it expires to activate the work permit.

So yes you could enter Canada as a visitor, leave and as long as you come back before the POE letter expires that’s fine.

Keep in mind that if you take the option to come as a visitor for a few months then decide to activate your IEC whilst still in the country you will still need to meet the insurance requirement for the full term agreed for your participating country.

By that say you are in Canada as a visitor for 2 months then go to activate your IEC without having returned to your home country, say a 2 year term you will need insurance for the whole period but specifically the 2 years for the IEC plus of course access to 2500 cdn. The point being not to arrive as a visitor with 2 years insurance , activate your IEC with only 22 months left given you would only get 22 months work permit, hopefully that makes sense

Most of the information can be found on the CIC website, not always obvious but usually can be found. Don’t think any specific answer about visiting first but answers here are based on people sharing their experience although ultimately CBSA at the border always have the last word.

My plan is to look for a job over the summer months on an ETA. If i can't find the job I am looking for I will work back in my country for a year then come back during that year just to active the IEC then return back to my country and try again the following summer to find a job. This would be okay right ? Or do I have to remain within Canada once I activate the IEC?