IEC Young Professionals: Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an IEC Young Professionals work permit, applicants must meet certain requirements. An example is possessing a signed letter confirming a job offer or an employment contract for a position that, according to IRCC, “contributes to your professional development.” This is characterized as a role within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. A TEER 4 position may be considered if the applicant provides a post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree with their work permit application, establishing a direct connection to their area of study. This condition also applies to individuals seeking employment in the agricultural sector. Under the IEC Young Professionals category, it is essential for the candidate to demonstrate the existence of an employer-employee relationship.

In addition, The job offer must align with the applicant’s area of expertise.

To participate, you need:

• To be a citizen (passport holder) of one of the participating IEC countries and maintain a profile in the Young Professionals pool.
• Hold a valid passport for the entire duration of their stay in Canada (the work permit issued will not exceed the passport’s validity).
• Be aged between 18 and 30 or 35 (inclusive) at the time of application, with the upper age limit determined by the applicant’s country of citizenship.
• Have access to at least CAD$2,500 upon arrival to cover initial expenses. Prior to departure, possess a round-trip ticket or sufficient financial resources to purchase a return ticket at the end of their authorized stay in Canada.
• Be able to obtain health insurance for the full duration of their IEC permit (participants may need to provide proof of this insurance upon entry into Canada). For options and quotes, please contact our firm as we might be able to assist.
• Be admissible to Canada.
• Not be accompanied by dependents.
• Pay the required fees.

How to Obtain an IEC Young Professionals Work Permit Candidates

Interested in the IEC Young Professionals program must first complete the online profile available on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. This questionnaire will provide an initial assessment of their eligibility for the IEC Young Professionals work permit. Following this, candidates can create a profile and opt to enter the IEC Young Professionals pool specific to their country. The IRCC will randomly select candidates from this pool and issue an ‘invitation to apply’ (ITA) for a work permit. At this point, applicants are required to upload all necessary supporting documents and pay the IEC participation fee, which has been CAD $179.75 in recent years. Employers must also pay a C$230 Employer Compliance fee via their online Employer Portal. Upon payment, they will receive an Offer of Employment number, which the applicant must include in their application. After submitting the IEC Young Professionals application, IRCC staff will take approximately eight weeks to review it, during which they may request additional documentation. Upon arrival in Canada with your young professional’s work permit, ensure you have a copy of your offer of employment letter. It is also crucial to be aware of your rights as a foreign worker in Canada, and IRCC provides an excellent guide on this topic.

Make no mistake – if you upload wrong documents, make a mistake in a number, employer portal, with the name or make any gap in personal history your application might be refused. Contact our office today and we can either complete the full application for you or just review the one you created yourself.