International Experience Canada 2026: IEC Work Permit and India RO Route
The 2026 IEC pools are closed. Existing invitation holders may still apply; others must wait for the 2027 pools to reopen.
2026 pools closed
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 closed. Existing invitation holders can still complete and submit their applications. Applicants without an invitation must wait for the 2027 pools to reopen; no opening date is confirmed here. 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?
India is not a direct Youth Mobility Agreement partner. Any Recognized Organization route depends on the organization accepting the applicant's citizenship, age and category; an available place is not guaranteed. The 2026 pools are closed. Existing invitation holders may still submit their application.
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. The 2026 pools are closed. A future application requires the pools to reopen and current eligibility and organization support. Existing invitation holders include their RO letter where required. 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 when open → Invitation to Apply → work permit
- Confirm Indian eligibility
- Get RO confirmation
- Wait for pools to reopen
- 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?
- New profiles cannot enter the closed 2026 pools. Existing Invitation to Apply holders can still submit by their account deadline
- For future seasons, citizens of eligible partner countries must meet the current country and category rules, commonly ages 18–30 or 18–35
- Non-partner-country citizens must confirm whether a recognized organization actually accepts their citizenship and category; no India route or place is guaranteed
- Working Holiday applicants qualify for an open permit under the applicable country or organization rules
- Young Professionals applicants need paid, non-self-employed work supporting professional development in TEER 0–3, or qualifying TEER 4 work in their field of study with postsecondary credentials
- International Co-op applicants need an eligible study-related internship required to complete their studies and must meet student and country conditions
- Applicants must meet passport, admissibility, funds and insurance conditions; insurance is required before arrival rather than when applying
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.
- Season status: 2026 pools are closed. Existing invitation holders may complete their application. Recheck the official overview for 2027 reopening.
- Country and age: Use the current country/category selector or recognized organization rules. India has no direct Youth Mobility Agreement route.
- Young Professionals: Paid work supporting professional development in TEER 0–3. TEER 4 can qualify if in the field of study with a postsecondary diploma, certificate or degree.
- International Co-op: Meet postsecondary enrolment and required study-related internship conditions for the country or organization route.
- Passport: Work permit validity cannot extend beyond passport validity.
- Application deadline: Existing invitation holders have 20 days after accepting to submit the work permit application. The deadline is in UTC.
- Proof of funds at travel: Bank statement issued no more than 1 week before departure showing at least CAD 2,500. Also have a departure ticket or funds for one; unpaid internships may need more funds.
- Insurance: Not required when applying. Before arrival, obtain coverage for the full stay including medical care, hospitalization and repatriation. Short coverage can shorten the permit.
- Family: Dependants cannot come under the IEC application; each family member needs their own qualifying status.
- IEC participation fee: CAD 184.75. Working Holiday adds CAD 100 for the open work permit holder fee.
- Biometrics: CAD 85 when required. Follow the instruction letter and deadline.
- Employer compliance: Young Professionals and International Co-op employers submit the offer and pay CAD 230 before the work permit application.
- Medical exam: Follow the temporary-resident medical rules for prior residence, intended stay and work. Not every occupation requires an exam.
- Police certificates: In most cases, certificates are required for countries where you spent 6 months or more in a row since age 18. Follow the IEC checklist and country instructions.
Documents
IEC work permit documents
- Valid passport and the identity documents requested by the IEC checklist
- Existing Invitation to Apply and completed application submitted within 20 days after accepting; use the UTC deadline in the account
- Young Professionals or Co-op job-offer number after the employer submits the offer and pays the compliance fee
- Co-op enrolment and required internship evidence, or Young Professionals credentials where needed for the job category
- Recognized Organization confirmation letter if applying through that organization
- Police certificates for the required countries, generally those with 6 months or more in a row since age 18; follow any instructions when a certificate is delayed
- Medical-exam proof and biometrics as required for the case
- Government fees for the applicable IEC category; organization service fees are separate
- For arrival, full-stay health insurance, a bank statement issued within 1 week before departure showing at least CAD 2,500, and a departure ticket or funds for one
- Other documents requested in the personalized checklist. Health insurance need not be purchased at application time
Application Process
How the IEC pool, invitations and application process work
Check the closed-season notice
The 2026 pools are closed. If you did not receive an invitation, your profile will be removed. You can create a new profile when 2027 pools reopen. Keep your existing account; a new account is not required.
Confirm country and organization eligibility
For a future season, use the current country/category selector. India is not a direct partner. An organization route depends on its actual citizenship, age, category and capacity rules; do not assume availability or pay on that assumption.
New profiles must wait for reopening
The profile and pool process applies when pools are open. Do not submit a new 2026 pool entry based on older instructions. Check the official IEC overview for a confirmed 2027 reopening announcement.
Existing invitation holders must meet their deadline
Existing Invitation to Apply holders can complete their work permit application. Submit within 20 days after accepting, using the UTC deadline in the account. An invitation is not a work permit or approval.
Complete employer requirements where applicable
For Young Professionals and International Co-op, the employer submits an offer through the Employer Portal and pays CAD 230. Include the offer number and requested category evidence.
Submit the application and applicable fees
Follow the personalized checklist and submit by the account deadline. The IEC fee is CAD 184.75; Working Holiday adds CAD 100 and biometrics add CAD 85 when required. Insurance is not required at this application stage.
Follow biometrics and medical instructions
Give biometrics and complete medical requirements if they apply. Obtain the required police certificates, usually for countries with 6 months or more in a row since age 18. Use the IEC instructions if a document is delayed.
Prepare for arrival after approval
Carry the port-of-entry letter, passport, full-stay insurance, funds statement issued no more than 1 week before departure, and departure ticket or funds. The border officer decides admission and permit issuance. Check the permit before leaving.
The 2026 IEC season is closed. Existing invitation holders can finish their applications by their deadlines. Applicants without an invitation must wait for the 2027 pools to reopen. No reopening date is confirmed in this guide.
India is not a direct IEC partner. Any recognized organization option requires an actual eligibility and availability check with that organization. An organization letter does not guarantee an invitation, approval or entry. Use the current official country, organization, fee and arrival instructions.
Last updated October 20, 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.
Editorial reviewer
Settle in Canada Editorial Team
Immigration content review
Reviews International Experience Canada guidance against current Canada.ca and IRCC sources before publication.
Official source library7 direct IRCC links, grouped by sourceView sources
FAQ
IEC 2026 fee questions
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Check your IEC next steps
The 2026 pools are closed. Existing invitation holders should meet their application deadline. Other applicants should check official 2027 reopening and eligibility updates.