New UK rules for the IEC Canada

Get an extra 12 months Working Holiday

Starting with the 2024 IEC season, a new youth mobility agreement between the UK and Canada is in effect. This updated agreement introduces key changes that expand opportunities for UK citizens under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

As a British citizen, you can now participate in the IEC program twice:

  • a first participation of 24 months under any category
  • a second participation of 12 months under any category

If you participated in IEC before 2015 for a period of up to 12 months, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in any category.

Those who already participated in IEC twice are no longer eligible to apply under the regular IEC stream.

>> Official info here.<<

The age has been raised from 30 years to 35 years inclusive

It means, you must receive an invitation before turning 36 years old to meet the age requirement. When you travel to Canada to activate the work permit, the age is irrelevant and you can be over 36 years old.

Two common misconceptions in this new agreement:

Many UK participants mistakenly refer to their second IEC participation as a “work permit extension” and ask questions like:

  • “How can I extend my IEC work permit by 12 months?”
  • “Can I apply for an IEC extension?”

However, this is not an extension of your current work permit. In general, an IEC cannot be extended beyond the allowed time. 

Another common misunderstanding is the belief that you will automatically receive a 3-year work permit when activating your IEC work permit at the border. This is incorrect.

How it actually works:

  • Your first IEC participation (e.g., through the Working Holiday stream) is valid for 24 months.
  • You are eligible for a second participation for 12 months
  • This is not an extension of the first.
  • Instead, you must go through the entire application process again:
    • Create a new IEC profile and enter the pool
    • Wait for a new invitation to apply (ITA)
    • Submit your documents again
    • Pay the required fees again (except for the biometrics fee if you’ve already provided biometrics for another application)

The three IEC categories for UK participants

Existing and unchanged: Working Holiday

Participants in this program receive an “open work permit”.

In this category, you:

  • don’t need a job to participate
  • can choose where you want to work
  • can work for more than one employer in Canada

New: Young Professionals

Participants in this program receive a “closed work permit” or officially called “employer-specific work permit”. The name of the employer and location will be printed on the work permit. 

In this category:

  • you can only work for one employer in the same location
  • the job offered must be a skilled job in TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3 
  • After you received an invitation, the employer must create a profile in the employer portal and submit the job offer 
  • the employer must pay a $230 compliance fee

A job in TEER category 4 is allowed, 

if you and can provide a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree in that job, that proves that the job offer is in your field of study. If you intend to apply for permanent residency later, a job in TEER 4 will not count as Canadian experience and will not give you any points in the Canadian Experience Class. Only TEER 0-3 jobs will count. 

New: International Co-op (Internship)

Participants in this program receive a “closed work permit” or officially called an “employer-specific work permit”. The name of the employer and location will be printed on the work permit. 

In this category:

  • you need an employer
  • you can only work for one employer
  • you must be enrolled as a student in a post-secondary educational institution (in your home country) for the duration of the internship in Canada
  • the internship must be part of the academic curriculum, and directly linked to your field of studies
  • After you received an invitation, the employer must create a profile in the employer portal and submit the job offer
  • the employer must pay a $230 compliance fee

To emphasize again:

With a closed “employer-specific work permit” you can only work for one employer in the same location. The name of the employer and the work location will be printed on the work permit. You cannot have other part time jobs or be self employed under this work permit.

Additional information for the two new categories:

After you have received an invitation from the Young Professional or Co-Op Internship category, the employer must:

  • create a profile in the Employer Portal,
  • submit the job offer,
  • pay the $230 employer compliance Fee.

The LMIA exemption code for the IEC program is C21

This is the code the employer has to use when submitting the job offer!

After they paid, the employer will then get an offer of employment number in their “Employment queue” that begins with “A” followed by 7 numbers.

You have to put this number into your own application. Only then you can submit the application and pay the fees.

More info for the employers >> here <<

How do I apply for another 12 months Working Holiday?

If you are currently under the first 2-year participation in Canada (or have already participated once) you can now apply for another participation for 12 months.

You cannot apply in any other way to extend the current participation. Remember, it is not an extension, it is a completely new participation in the IEC program. 

To apply again, you must go through the entire application process from the beginning:

  1. Log in to your existing GCKey account
  2. Select “Apply to come to Canada”
  3. Create a new IEC profile and submit it to the pool
  4. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
  5. Once invited, submit all required documents and pay the application fees again

You can use the same GCKey account you used for your first participation, no need to create a new one.

  • Then select International Experience Canada (IEC)
  • If you do not see the button International Experience Canada (IEC) you can get a reference code through this link, answer a few questions, then use the code you receive in the field “Personal Reference Code”

⚠️Important info if you apply for a second Working Holiday⚠️

Entering the wrong category or pool is a common mistake, especially for repeat IEC participants or those who already have a job lined up in Canada.

A job is not a requirement for the Working Holiday because it is an open work permit.

If you apply for another Working Holiday participation but currently have a job, you should answer “No” to the job offer question, even if you are already employed or plan to keep working with your current employer.

Here’s why:
If you answer “YES” to having a job offer, you could mistakenly enter the Young Professionals pool if you are not careful. As a result, you may receive an invitation under the Young Professionals category instead of the Working Holiday stream.

ONLY ENTER the Young Professional pool if you also want to use the Young Professional category and are eligible for it.

Example:

If you enter both the Working Holiday and Young Professionals pools, the system gives priority to Young Professionals, sending invitations from that pool first. That means you’ll receive an invitation for the Young Professionals category.

Then, your profile will be blocked for invitations from other categories, so even if you’re also in the Working Holiday pool, you won’t receive an invitation from there.

If you decline the invitation in the hopes to get a Working Holiday invitation, it won’t work. This means that as long as there are spots available in the Young Professionals pool, you will only receive invitations from that pool. 

❗️HELP, I received an invitation for the Young Professional pool❗️

If you received an invitation from the Young Professional pool, but definitely wanted a Working Holiday (you can see how the application details look like in the screenshot below) you need to start from scratch as it was the incorrect category.

  1. Decline the invitation from the Young Professionals category.
  2. Delete your current profile from the IEC pool.
  3. Create a new profile.
  4. Answer “No” when asked about a job offer.
  5. Select only the Working Holiday category to re-enter the Working Holiday pool.
  6. Wait for a new invitation for the Working Holiday category.

Common questions for the application process

Can I apply now even though I am still on the current participation?

Yes, you can apply at any time while the IEC pools are open. However, be aware that after approval, you have 12 months of POE validity to activate the new work permit. Therefore, plan accordingly to avoid wasting time on your current work permit.

In essence, wait until 12 months before your current work permit expires to apply for the new participation.

What are my chances to receive an invitation?

Keep in mind that being in the IEC pool doesn’t guarantee an invitation. The pool works like a lottery: a computer randomly selects a set number of candidates at irregular intervals, usually once a week, throughout the season.

This means an invitation could come after a week, a month, or even several months. Generally, your best chances are at the start of the season when there are fewer applicants. However, it’s also possible that you might not receive an invitation before the season ends. It really comes down to luck.

Of course, this depends on your country’s pool, the number of applicants, and how many spots are still left. For example, Australia has unlimited spots, so all candidates received invitations in 2025, while other countries have set quotas and higher competition.

While the pool is open, the government updates the numbers every Friday, showing how many spots are left and how many people are waiting. This can help you get a sense of your chances of receiving an invitation.

To see the odds for your country, select your country here. (only while the pools are open)

Does the new participation have to be consecutive?

No, you can take a break between participations. You can apply at any time, as long as you still meet the age requirement and the pools are open. For example, if you want to travel first and apply after a few years, that is definitely possible.

If I did not activate a previous POE; can I participate again?

Yes, you can!
Your IEC participation only officially counts if you enter Canada and activate your work permit at the border. If you never traveled to Canada and did not activate your permit, it does not count as a participation. That means you can apply again without penalty. If you’re still eligible, you can reapply for a full 2-year work permit. 

When can I apply again?

You’ll need to wait until your current Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction expires before submitting a new IEC profile.

  • You cannot cancel the POE early
  • You must wait until the exact expiry date shown on the POE has passed
  • Once that date has passed, you can create a new IEC profile and enter the pool again

>> Official info here << 

What are my options if I already used the second participation?

If you still meet the age requirement for the UK, which is 35 years, and you would like to stay longer on an open work permit, then you can use two more Working Holiday work permits through a Recognized Organization (RO). 

For example:  

  • Regular participation for 2 years, plus 
  • Regular participation 1 year, plus 
  • RO participation for 2 years, plus 
  • RO participation for 2 years

That makes a total of 7 years in Canada under the IEC program for British citizens. That is enough time to figure out the next pathway if the goal is permanent residency

I participated through an RO; can I still participate again?

Yes. A participation through a Recognized Organization does not count towards the regular participation. 

For example, if your first participation of 2 years was through the regular process and you then participated for another 2 years via an RO, you can still apply for another 12-month participation through the regular IEC process.

Passport

I have to renew my passport; what is the procedure?

Very important! A work permit will only be issued until the expiry of your passport. For example, if your passport expires in 8 months, you will only get an 8-month work permit instead of the full 12 or 24 months.

Therefore, it is crucial that you have a passport that is valid for the entire duration you plan to stay and work in Canada.

If your passport is set to expire during your second planned IEC participation:

Option 1:

  • Renew your passport before applying, and use the new passport for your application.
  • Using a new passport helps avoid the need to update documents or apply for extensions later.
  • This also ensures that your POE, and your eTA, are correctly linked to your new passport.

Option 2:

  • Apply using your current (old) passport.
  • Once you receive your approval (POE), renew your passport before you travel to Canada to activate your work permit.
  • If you are flying to Canada, you will need to apply for a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) linked to your new passport, even if you already had one for the old passport. You can apply for a new eTA >> here.
  • At the time of entry into Canada, show both your old passport (or a copy of it) and your new passport to the border officer.

Option 3 (not recommendable):

  • Apply using your current (old) passport.
  • Activate the work permit with the old passport.
  • The border officer will issue a work permit that’s shorter than the maximum time.
  • Once in Canada, apply for an extension of the work permit to get the maximum allowed time. 

Why is this not recommendable?

  • Applying for an extension means extra paperwork because you must apply on paper to extend the work permit. 
  • You must send the application via snail mail; you cannot apply online. 
  • Some employers may be hesitant to hire if your work permit is too short. This can limit your job options.

When is this recommendable?

Here are a few situations where this option might be advisable because you need a fast process/approval. In all of those cases, apply with the old passport:

  • The IEC season is about to close.
  • Very few spots are left in your country’s IEC pool.
  • Your work permit is about to expire and you don’t want to stop working for too long while you wait for a new approval.
  • You are close to the maximum age limit for IEC. It means waiting for a new passport could make you ineligible by the time it’s processed.

Biometrics

Do I have to give biometrics again?

Good news. If you gave biometrics for another Canadian work permit application, they are valid for 10 years and can be used for all future temporary resident applications. 

During the application process, you will answer “yes” to the question about whether you’ve given biometrics. Additionally, once you submit the application, they will automatically be assigned to your profile within a few days. 

If you’re unsure whether your biometrics are still valid you can check > here < . If they show ‘expired’ then the processing agent will request new biometrics. 

Police certificates

Can I re-use my police certificates?

This will depend. Here the general rules:

➡️ First check: Is the police certificate under 6 months old? > You can use it.
➡️ Second check: Is the police certificate over 6 months old? Then this applies to you:

  1. If the police certificate was issued while you were still in the country > you need a new one. 
  2. If the police certificate was issued after you left the country, but you were back to that country >  you need a new one.
  3. If the police certificate was issued after you left the country, but have never been back > you can re-use it

❗️In other words: Police certificates are valid indefinitely and you can re-use them, if:

  • they were issued after you left that country and
  • you have never been back to that country (not even for a few days to visit). 

The graph below helps with the decision and applies to the time when you apply for the IEC work permit.

When I activate my work permit, my police certificate will be older than 6 months

If your police certificate is older than six months when you activate your work permit, that’s okay. Once you’ve received your POE (approval), you do not need a new certificate — you can use the same one you uploaded with your original application.

I spent more than 6 months in Canada; do I need a police certificate from Canada?

No, a police certificate from Canada is not required. Canada conducts its own background checks. A certificate is only needed if IRCC specifically requests it during your application, and this request will come after you’ve submitted your application.

Medical exam

Do I need a new medical exam?

If you are planning to work in child care, health care, or elderly care, it is important to be aware that you will need to retake the medical exam, even if you have done one before. This is because the medical exam is only valid for 12 months.

There is an exception for the medical exam if you apply from within Canada:

If you completed a medical exam within 5 years of submitting your new application, include the IME number (or the unique medical identifier number) from your previous exam in your current application.
You may be exempt from completing another IME if you meet all of these conditions:
  • You applied, or are applying, for either permanent residence or temporary residence.
  • You already live in Canada.
  • You completed your previous IME in the last 5 years.
  • Your previous IME indicated a low risk or no risk to public health or public safety.

>> Official info at the top of the page here << 

However, recent experiences have shown the work permit might still be issued with restrictions.

If you need a work permit without any restrictions right from the activation and cannot afford to wait for a new, amended permit (because the border officers issued this with restrictions), I strongly recommend completing a new medical exam at least 4 to 6 weeks before activating your work permit.

The reason behind this (and possible hiccup):

An IEC work permit is a special work permit that is considered an application „from outside Canada“ even if you are already inside the country when you apply. Because of this, IRCC might not allow to re use the medical exam for the IEC stream.

If you received a work permit with restrictions at the port of entry, here you can find out how to remove them. 

IEC health insurance

Do I need IEC health insurance again?

When activating the work permit, you must have a health insurance that must be valid for the entire length of your intended stay in Canada (the length of the work permit). Be aware, if you are already in Canada, you need an ‘already travelling’ policy. 

Your IEC health insurance must cover:

  • medical care
  • hospitalization and
  • repatriation (returning you to your country in the event of severe illness, injury or death)

If your insurance policy is valid for less than your expected stay, you will receive a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. If this happens, you will not be able to extend your work permit later.

I am already in Canada and have provincial health care

If you have provincial health care or employer-provided benefits, they are not enough for your IEC activation. Provincial health insurance doesn’t include repatriation to your home country, and employer benefits don’t cover it either.

The best IEC health insurance for European and UK citizens

recommended by other IEC participants who used them

>> click here to find out more info about the second IEC participation <<

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