What is the 'discontinuance requirement'?

Some IEC countries have a discontinuance requirement. This means there must be a break between the expiry of your first IEC work permit and the date you can apply for a second one.

Many IEC participants fall in love with Canada or even hope to immigrate, so they want to extend their stay and take advantage of other options under the IEC program. After all, IEC is one of the easiest, cheapest, and fastest ways to work in Canada — whether it’s another Working Holiday or a different category like Young Professional.

However, some countries have a discontinuance requirement. This means there must be a break between the expiry of your first IEC work permit and the date you can apply for a second one. You can only submit your new application after a certain period. Here are the required breaks:

  • Croatia: 3 months  
  • Latvia: 1 year 
  • Lithuania: 3 months  
  • Poland: 6 months 
  • Slovakia: 3 months 
  • Spain: 3 months 
The break period begins after your first IEC work permit expires. If you apply before this period is over, your application will be refused. You can find the requirements of your country > here <.

For example, as a Croatian citizen, you can participate in IEC twice, under any category. If you would like to participate again with the same citizenship, you must wait for 3 months before you can apply for the second participation. 

Can I apply into the pool before the 3 month break is over?

Yes, you can enter the IEC pool before your 3-month break is over. However, there’s an important catch:

If you receive an Invitation while you’re still within the 3-month break period, you are not allowed to accept it yet. Also, it’s more respectful to wait so you don’t take a spot from someone who is fully eligible.

That said, if you plan carefully, you can time your application to work in your favour.

How to time it smartly

Generally, once you receive an invitation:

  • You have 10 days to accept the invitation
  • After accepting, you have 20 days to submit your application

Because of this timeline, you can calculate your dates carefully to avoid a refusal of your application:

  • Enter the IEC pool around 20 days before your 3-month break ends
  • Accept the invitation on day 8 or 9 (out of 10)
  • Submit your application on day 18 or 19 (out of 20) or even earlier, if your 3 months are up

Important:
For IEC, eligibility is based on the date you submit your application, not the date you enter the pool or receive the invitation. Make sure your full 3-month break has officially ended before you submit or your application will be refused. 

Does this rule also apply if I apply with another citizenship?

The discontinuance requirement only applies to the countries listed above.
If your country is not on that list, no waiting period is required between IEC participations.

Let’s use the same example: As a Croatian citizen, you can participate in IEC twice, under any category. If you would like to participate again with the same citizenship, you must wait for 3 months before you can apply for the second participation. 

However, if you have a second citizenship with another passport, it is considered a first participation under that passport. It means you can: 

  • Apply without waiting 3 months
  • Enter the IEC pool immediately
  • Start a new IEC participation under that other citizenship

Does this rule also apply if I apply via an RO (Recognized Organization)?

No, the discontinuance requirement does not apply when participating through a Recognized Organization. 

This means you can apply for a Working Holiday through an RO without needing to have a break between participations. 

Can I use the same GCKey Account for the second IEC participation?

Yes, you can use the same GCKey account. Your new application will be treated as a completely separate application. Simply log in with your existing GCKey and start the new application.

If you don’t see the “International Experience Canada (IEC)” button in your selections:

  • Log out of your GCKey account
  • Complete the questionnaire using >> this link
  • Your eligibility result must show the IEC
  • You will then receive a Personal Reference Code.
  • Enter the Personal Reference Code in the top field shown in the screenshot.

I am in Canada; can I keep working while I wait for the new IEC?

There is no maintained status between two IEC participations.

To stay in Canada legally after the first IEC, you must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires. You can generally apply about 7 days before expiry — this should also be the latest, as the system can be unreliable.

  • The visitor record costs $100.
  • You can apply online using the same GCKey account. Just start the application and complete the questionnaire.
  • Once your current work permit expires, you will be in maintained visitor status, which allows you to stay in Canada as a visitor until a decision is made on your visitor record application or until you activate a new work permit — whichever comes first.
  • The visitor record is sent to you by post, so you do not need to visit the border to activate it.
  • Remember: once your work permit expires, you must stop working until your new work permit is activated.

For more detailed information about the visitor record and many additional questions, click  > here < 

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