Canada has published the age requirements and list of countries eligible for its International Experience Canada (IEC) programme, which allows young adults to work and travel in the country temporarily.
The government-backed initiative is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is open to applicants aged between 18 and 35, although citizens of some participating countries must be aged 30 or below.
How the programme works
The IEC programme allows eligible participants to gain international work experience while travelling across Canada. Participants can use their earnings to support their living expenses and extended travel.
The initiative also gives young adults an opportunity to improve their English or French language skills, experience Canadian culture and build professional experience in an international setting.
Applicants must meet both the nationality and age requirements before applying. Further details are available on the official IRCC website.
Countries eligible for the IEC programme
Canada has confirmed 36 participating countries and territories. They are:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
No African country appears on the current list. This means citizens of Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and other African countries cannot access the IEC programme under its existing framework.
