International Experience Canada 2026: IEC Work Permit and India RO Route
Explore IEC work permit options for young adults, including the Recognized Organization route for Indian applicants.
Varies — check IRCC tool
CAD 284.75 + CAD 85 if required (Working Holiday) / CAD 184.75 + CAD 85 if required (YP & Co-op)
Up to 24 months (category-dependent)
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a youth mobility program administered by IRCC for eligible citizens of partner countries. Its three categories — Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship) — use different open or employer-specific work permits, age limits, quotas, and duration rules. The permits are LMIA-exempt under the International Mobility Program.
The 2026 IEC season is open. The current government-fee set includes the CAD 184.75 IEC participation fee, a possible CAD 85 biometrics fee, and the CAD 100 open work permit holder fee for Working Holiday applicants. Young Professionals and International Co-op employers pay a CAD 230 compliance fee. Indian nationals are not direct IEC partner-country applicants; any Recognized Organization route depends on the organization’s current eligibility and availability.
2026 IEC Answer Snapshot
What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?
Fast answers on IEC fees, India access, and Working Holiday costs. These are the first checks most applicants need before using the IEC pool: whether India is eligible directly, when fees are paid, which category pays the open work permit holder fee, and what RO support changes.
Can Indians apply for IEC Canada in 2026?
Indian citizens cannot enter IEC directly because India does not have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada. Indians need support from an IRCC-authorized Recognized Organization and its confirmation letter before entering the IEC pool.
India and IEC in 2026
Can Indians apply for International Experience Canada in 2026?
Indian citizens cannot enter a Canada IEC pool directly because India is not listed as a Youth Mobility Agreement partner country. The IRCC eligibility selector determines which countries, categories, age limits, quotas, and permit durations apply. For Indians, access depends on an IRCC-authorized Recognized Organization (RO) whose current eligibility rules cover the applicant, including any applicable IAESTE member-country condition. The RO can provide support and a confirmation letter; it does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply. If a suitable RO is available, obtain its confirmation, create the IEC profile, wait for an ITA, and include the RO letter with the work permit application. Government fees remain separate from RO service fees: the current IEC fee list shows the participation, biometrics, open-work-permit-holder, and employer-compliance amounts. Applicants should also confirm passport, age, insurance, funds, and category-specific requirements before relying on a route. Check the live rounds-of-invitations page, RO list, and eligibility selector before paying because quotas and participating organizations can change.
India → Recognized Organization → IEC pool → Invitation to Apply → work permit
- Confirm Indian eligibility
- Get RO confirmation
- Enter the IEC pool
- Receive an ITA
- Apply for the permit
Sources: the IRCC Recognized Organizations list and current IEC eligibility and invitation pages.
How much is the IEC participation fee in 2026?
The IEC participation fee is CAD 184.75. Working Holiday applicants also pay the CAD 100 open work permit holder fee, and applicants who need biometrics pay CAD 85.
Is it free to create an IEC profile?
Yes. Creating an IEC profile and entering a pool is free. Government fees are paid only after an Invitation to Apply, and Recognized Organization fees are separate.
Which IEC category pays the open work permit holder fee?
Only Working Holiday applicants pay the CAD 100 open work permit holder fee. Young Professionals and International Co-op are employer-specific IEC categories and do not pay that fee.
Country eligibility
Which countries are eligible for International Experience Canada?
IEC eligibility starts with citizenship. Canada’s Youth Mobility Agreements determine whether a country or territory can participate, which categories are available, the age range, the quota, and the maximum permit duration. Use the live IRCC country eligibility selector rather than relying on a static country list. India is not a direct IEC partner country, so Indian applicants must separately confirm whether a current RO route is available for their category.
- Working Holiday: open work permit where the country agreement allows it
- Young Professionals: employer-specific permit for qualifying career development
- International Co-op: employer-specific permit for a study-related internship
Choose an IEC category
Working Holiday vs Young Professionals vs International Co-op
The permit type, job-offer requirement, fees, duration, and India/RO route depend on the category and the applicant’s country agreement. Biometrics are charged only when required or not already valid; RO service fees are separate from these government amounts.
| Category | Permit type | Job offer | Applicant fee formula | Duration and eligibility | India / RO applicability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | Open work permit | Job offer not required | CAD 284.75 base + CAD 85 if required | Country-specific age, quota, and duration rules; some agreements allow up to 24 months. | India is not a direct partner country. RO availability and category eligibility must be confirmed. |
| Young Professionals | Employer-specific work permit | Signed job offer required | CAD 184.75 base + CAD 85 if required | The job must support professional development and meet the country-specific agreement rules. | An IRCC-authorized RO may be required for an Indian applicant if its current rules support the route. |
| International Co-op (Internship) | Employer-specific work permit | Study-related internship required | CAD 184.75 base + CAD 85 if required | The applicant must remain enrolled at a foreign post-secondary institution during the placement. | An RO route is not automatic; confirm current country, student, and organization eligibility first. |
Verify the current amounts on the IRCC fee list before submitting an application.
Fees
IEC fees 2026: official IRCC/Canada.ca fee amounts
For the 2026 season, official IRCC/Canada.ca fee amounts list the IEC participation fee, biometrics fee, open work permit holder fee, and employer compliance fee separately. These are government fees, not Recognized Organization charges.
- IEC participation fee
- CAD 184.75
- Paid by applicants after an Invitation to Apply when submitting the IEC work permit application.
- Open work permit holder fee
- CAD 100
- Paid by Working Holiday applicants only because Working Holiday is an open work permit.
- Biometrics fee
- CAD 85
- Separate from the IEC participation fee and paid if biometrics are required or not already valid.
- Working Holiday government fees
- CAD 284.75
- IEC participation fee + open work permit holder fee. Add CAD 85 if biometrics are required or not already valid.
- Young Professionals / International Co-op government fees
- CAD 184.75
- IEC participation fee. Add CAD 85 if biometrics are required or not already valid. These employer-specific IEC categories do not pay the open work permit holder fee.
- Employer compliance fee
- CAD 230
- Paid by the Canadian employer for Young Professionals and International Co-op offers through the Employer Portal.
- IEC profile creation cost
- Free
- Creating and submitting an IEC profile is free; government fees are paid later only after an Invitation to Apply.
- Recognized Organization fees
- Separate
- RO fees are charged by the organization and are not included in official IRCC IEC fees.
India is not a direct IEC partner country. Indian nationals can only use IEC through an IRCC-authorised Recognized Organization, and RO fees are separate from the IRCC government amounts shown here.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit?
- Citizens of the 36 countries with a Youth Mobility Agreement (YMA) with Canada, aged 18 to 35 (or 18 to 30 / 29 depending on the specific agreement)
- Citizens of a non-YMA country — including Indian nationals — who meet the current country and category rules of an IRCC-authorised Recognized Organization (RO) that assists IEC participants, including any applicable IAESTE member-country condition
- Young adults who want to fund their travel through an open work permit under Working Holiday, with freedom to work for most Canadian employers
- Early-career professionals with a signed job offer from a Canadian employer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation that contributes to their professional development, applying under Young Professionals
- Post-secondary students enrolled at a foreign college or university who need a paid internship or co-op placement in Canada related to their field of study, under International Co-op (Internship)
- Youth with valid passports covering the full intended stay in Canada, as the work permit cannot exceed passport validity
- Applicants who can show proof of funds of at least CAD 2,500 and can hold private health insurance for the entire duration of the IEC work permit
- Applicants without a criminal record and who can pass a medical exam if required for occupations in healthcare, childcare, agriculture, or for stays over 6 months from designated countries
IEC eligibility is citizenship- and age-based. India has no Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada — Indian applicants must confirm a current RO route and obtain the organization's confirmation letter when required to enter the IEC pool.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit?
Fee and refund rules can change. Review the IRCC IEC application and refund instructions before paying or submitting an application.
- Citizenship of an IEC Country: Citizen of one of the 36 YMA partner countries, OR a national of a non-YMA country (e.g., India) with an official RO confirmation letter showing that the organization is assisting them
- Age Eligibility: Aged 18 to 35 inclusive at the time of profile creation (18 to 30 or 29 for certain partner countries — check the country's YMA)
- Valid Passport: Passport valid for the entire requested IEC stay — work permit cannot exceed passport validity
- Category Selection: One of three streams: Working Holiday (open permit), Young Professionals (employer-specific, NOC TEER 0/1/2/3), or International Co-op Internship (student placement)
- Job Offer (Young Professionals & Co-op): Signed written job offer from a Canadian employer contributing to professional development; for Co-op, placement must relate to the applicant's current studies
- Post-Secondary Enrolment (Co-op): International Co-op applicants must be enrolled at a foreign post-secondary institution for the entire internship period
- Proof of Funds: Minimum CAD 2,500 shown in a recent bank statement issued within days of arrival
- Health Insurance: Private health insurance valid for the ENTIRE stay in Canada — including medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation
- Return Ticket or Funds for Departure: Proof of a return ticket OR the financial means to buy one at the end of the authorised stay
- No Dependants: IEC applicants cannot bring dependants under the IEC permit — spouses and children must qualify separately
- IEC Participation Fee: CAD 184.75 paid via the IRCC Secure Account — refundable in IRCC's listed cases, including withdrawal before the port-of-entry letter is issued, employer withdrawal before the work permit is issued, or application refusal
- Open Work Permit Holder Fee: Additional CAD 100 for Working Holiday applicants only (OWP fee); not required for Young Professionals or Co-op
- Biometrics Fee and Enrolment: CAD 85 paid with the work permit application; biometrics collected at a VFS Canada centre or authorised collection point
- Medical Exam (If Applicable): Upfront e-Medical from an IRCC-panel physician for Indian applicants staying over 6 months, or for regulated occupations
- Police Clearance: Certificate from every country where you lived 6+ months after age 18 — submitted if requested by the visa officer
- Employer Compliance Fee (YP/Co-op): Canadian employer pays CAD 230 compliance fee via the Employer Portal; cannot be passed to the worker
Documents
IEC work permit documents
- Valid passport that covers the entire requested IEC stay (permit cannot exceed passport validity), plus digital passport-size photographs per IRCC specifications and copies of any previous Canadian or other visa stamps (including any refusal records)
- Completed IEC profile submission (application forms auto-populate after Invitation to Apply)
- Invitation to Apply (ITA) letter from the IEC pool — submit the complete work permit application within exactly 20 days of accepting the ITA
- For Young Professionals and Co-op: signed job offer from a Canadian employer detailing NOC code, duties, wages, and professional-development contribution, plus proof of the employer's CAD 230 compliance-fee payment via the IRCC Employer Portal
- For International Co-op: letter from your home-country post-secondary institution confirming enrolment and the placement requirement, plus current student enrolment letter and academic transcripts
- Recognized Organization (RO) confirmation letter showing that the organization is assisting the applicant, when required for a non-YMA country national such as an Indian applicant
- Proof of private health insurance covering the entire stay in Canada (medical, hospital, and repatriation) — provincial health card alone is not sufficient
- Bank statement showing a minimum of CAD 2,500 in available funds, issued within days of the intended arrival date, plus proof of a return ticket or adequate funds to purchase one at the end of stay
- Payment receipts for the CAD 184.75 IEC participation fee, CAD 100 OWP holder fee (Working Holiday only), and CAD 85 biometrics fee
- For Young Professionals: educational degrees, diplomas, and transcripts matching the NOC TEER requirements, plus employment reference letters on company letterhead with role, duties, dates, and wage
- Professional licensure or provincial regulatory body approval for regulated occupations (healthcare, engineering, teaching, trades), plus a curriculum vitae / resume detailing education, employment, and any relevant international experience
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) collected at a VFS Canada centre or local collection point, with an upfront medical examination (e-Medical) from an IRCC-approved panel physician for stays over 6 months from India or for regulated occupations, and a Police Clearance Certificate from every country of 6+ months residence since age 18 if requested
- Additional documents and requirements may vary based on the specific Canada IEC Work Permit category, applicant profile, or immigration pathway
Application Process
How the IEC pool, invitations and application process work
Confirm Eligibility and Choose Your IEC Category
Check that your country of citizenship has a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada — or, if you are an Indian or other non-YMA national, identify an IRCC-authorised Recognized Organization accepting applications from your country. Confirm your age falls within your country's IEC limit (18-35, 18-30, or 18-29). Choose between Working Holiday (open permit, no job offer), Young Professionals (employer-specific, professional development role), or International Co-op (student internship).
Obtain RO Confirmation Letter (Non-YMA Country Nationals Only)
Indian nationals and other non-YMA country citizens should confirm that an IRCC Recognized Organization currently assists applicants from their country and category. Contact the RO early, obtain its official confirmation letter showing that the organization is assisting you, and check its separate service fees. If you receive an Invitation to Apply, submit the RO confirmation letter with the work permit application.
Create an IRCC Secure Account and Submit Your IEC Profile
Sign in to the IRCC Secure Account portal, answer the Come to Canada eligibility questions, and submit your IEC profile for the chosen country-and-category pool. Profile submission is free. The profile stays in the pool until you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or the 2026 season closes. Only one profile per category per season is permitted.
Wait for Rounds of Invitations and Receive Your ITA
IRCC conducts random rounds of invitations from each country-and-category pool, typically weekly or bi-weekly. Selection is a lottery subject to each country's annual quota. If selected, you receive an Invitation to Apply. You have exactly 20 days from the time you accept the ITA to submit a complete work permit application.
Young Professionals & Co-op: Finalise the Job Offer and Employer Compliance
Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants must secure a written, signed job offer from a Canadian employer. The Canadian employer submits an Offer of Employment through the IRCC Employer Portal and pays the CAD 230 employer compliance fee. The offer number issued by IRCC is required for the work permit application.
Submit the Work Permit Application and Pay IEC Fees
Upload documents, complete the online work permit application, and pay the CAD 184.75 IEC participation fee. Working Holiday applicants also pay CAD 100 for the open work permit holder fee. Applicants who need biometrics pay CAD 85. Upload proof of funds (CAD 2,500+), proof of health insurance for the entire stay, passport, and any other requested documents.
Complete Biometrics and Medical Exam (If Required)
Attend a biometrics appointment at the designated VFS Canada centre (or local biometrics collection point) within 30 days of the biometrics instruction letter. If you are Indian and intending to stay over 6 months, or your role is in healthcare, childcare, agriculture, or primary/secondary education, book an upfront e-Medical with an IRCC-panel physician. The physician uploads results directly to IRCC.
Receive the Port of Entry Letter and Activate the Permit in Canada
Processing times vary by application and can change, so check IRCC's current processing-time tool for an estimate. On approval, IRCC issues a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction — the physical work permit is printed by a CBSA officer on arrival in Canada. At the border, be ready to show your passport, POE letter, proof of CAD 2,500 funds, proof of health insurance covering your full stay, and any job offer documents. Verify employer name and permit conditions before leaving the port of entry.
International Experience Canada is Canada's youth mobility work permit program for eligible citizens aged 18 to 35 from partner countries. The 2026 season is open, and applicants enter country- and category-specific pools for Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op invitations.
Indian nationals cannot apply directly because India does not have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada. The only IEC route is through an IRCC-authorised Recognized Organization, whose fees are separate from official IRCC government fees. Always confirm current country eligibility, RO availability, quotas, and fee amounts on Canada.ca before paying.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this International Experience Canada work permit guide
Updated for current IRCC International Experience Canada work permit guide guidance
Source-backed by Canada.ca and IRCC fee pages
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Written by
Settle in Canada Editorial TeamCanada immigration editorial team
Creates practical Canada immigration guides and updates them against current IRCC and Canada.ca source pages.
Independent content review
Prabu RajasekaranStudy-Abroad Expert
Prabu Rajasekaran is a study-abroad writer and mentor with 12+ years of experience creating student guidance, test-prep resources, and Canada education/admissions content.
Official source library7 direct IRCC links, grouped by sourceView sources
FAQ
IEC 2026 fee questions
Related Resources
Explore more about Canada International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit
Ready to apply for IEC 2026?
Check your eligibility for IEC Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op — and for Indian nationals, get the current list of Recognized Organizations accepting applications for the 2026 season.