International Experience Canada opens the 2024 season to welcome international youth

Canada continues to attract interest from young people worldwide who seek to enhance their professional skills, explore, and immerse themselves in the Canadian way of life.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the opening of the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. This initiative will welcome nearly 90,000 young individuals from IEC partner countries and territories to Canada, offering them the opportunity to participate in various activities. Prospective applicants can begin submitting their profiles as early as December 11, 2023.

The IEC Program operates on a reciprocal basis, enabling Canadian and international youth aged 18–35 to work and travel in each other’s countries. With partnerships established with over 35 nations and territories, Canada continues to expand its reach. In 2023, new agreements were signed with Finland, Iceland, and Ukraine, while existing arrangements with South Korea and the United Kingdom were enhanced. As anticipation grows for welcoming youth from additional countries in 2024, Canadian youth will also have increased opportunities to gain international exposure by visiting partner nations.

Furthermore, the utilization of automation technology within the IEC Program will streamline processing for routine applications, supporting its growth and facilitating work and travel experiences for international youth in Canada.

The commencement of the 2024 season allows participants to once again engage in the Canadian experience through work and travel, benefiting employers seeking to fill positions and contributing to the vitality of Canada’s tourism industry.