Canada declares country quotas for LMIA-exempt work permits under the IEC.
Under the IEC, youth who are citizens of countries that have bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada can obtain Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permits, including open work permits (OWPs) under the Working Holiday stream.
To qualify, foreign nationals must be at least 18 years of age and no older than either 30 or 35, depending upon their country of citizenship.
Country Quotas
The following table presents work permit quotas for citizens from each country, along with the maximum age for youth from that country.
| Country | Working Holiday | Young Professionals | International Co-op | Upper Age Limit |
| Andorra | 25 | N/A | N/A | 30 |
| Australia | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 35 |
| Austria | 100 | 60 | 20 | 35 |
| Belgium | 750 | N/A | N/A | 30 |
| Chile | 725 | 20 | 5 | 35 |
| Costa Rica | 80 | 15 | 5 | 35 |
| Croatia | 85 | 10 | 5 | 35 |
| Denmark | 350 | N/A | N/A | 35 |
| Estonia | 110 | 10 | 5 | 35 |
| France | 6,615 | 2,080 | 3,590 | 35 |
| Germany | 3,490 | 350 | 160 | 35 |
| Greece | 180 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| Hong Kong | 200 | N/A | N/A | 30 |
| Ireland | 3,800 | 150 | 50 | 35 |
| Italy | 1,750 | 200 | 50 | 35 |
| Japan | 6,500 | N/A | N/A | 30 |
| Korea | 10,000 | 1,500 | 500 | 35 |
| Latvia | 40 | 8 | 2 | 35 |
| Lithuania | 175 | 20 | 5 | 35 |
| Luxembourg | 80 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Netherlands | 430 | 170 | N/A | 30 |
| New Zealand | 2,500 | N/A | N/A | 35 |
| Norway | 130 | 15 | 5 | 35 |
| Poland | 435 | 110 | 5 | 35 |
| Portugal | 750 | 40 | 10 | 35 |
| San Marino | 25 | N/A | N/A | 35 |
| Slovakia | 315 | 30 | 5 | 35 |
| Slovenia | 80 | 15 | 5 | 35 |
| Spain | 800 | 120 | 30 | 35 |
| Sweden | 350 | 40 | 10 | 30 |
| Switzerland | N/A | 200 | 50 | 35 |
| Taiwan | 940 | 50 | 10 | 35 |
| United Kingdom | 9,000 | 900 | 100 | 30 |
What Is IEC?
Canada declares country quotas for LMIA-exempt work permits under the IEC.
Well, the International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers work permits to foreign nationals under three distinct streams.
As part of Canada’s international agreements with various nations, the IEC enables youth from participating nations to live and work temporarily in Canada. Similarly, Canadian youth are offered with the same mobility opportunities in these partner nations.
Citizens of nations with youth mobility agreements with Canada are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit through one of the following IEC categories:
- The Working Holiday Category
- The Young Professionals Category
- The International Co-op Category
Each stream has different functions – with two issuing employer-specific work permits and one issuing open work permits to successful applicants, as noted below:
| Work Permit Category | When Applicants Should Use This Category | Type Of Work Permit Issued |
| Working Holiday | – You don’t have a job offer. – You wish to work for more than one employer in Canada. – You wish to work in more than one location. – You’d like to earn money to travel. | Open Work Permit |
| Young Professionals | – You have an employment offer in Canada that counts toward your professional development. – You will work for the same employer and location. – The job is paid and not self-employed. | Employer-Specific Work Permit |
| International Co-op (Internship) | – You are a student enrolled at a post-secondary institution. – You have a job offer for a required work placement/internship in Canada. – The work placement is required to complete your studies. – You will work for the same employer and location. | Employer-Specific Work Permit |
Note that not every country with a bYMA will be eligible for each category.
Who Is Eligible For These Programs?
Canada declares country quotas for LMIA-exempt work permits. In order to be eligible for an IEC work permit, applicants should:
- Be a citizen (passport holder) of a nation or a resident of a territory with a bYMA with Canada.
- Hold a valid passport for the duration of their stay.
- Fall within the eligible age range specified in the youth mobility agreement between their country as well as Canada (either 18-35 or 18-30, depending on the country).
- Have at least $2,500 available upon arrival to cover living expenses.
- Be able to secure health insurance for the duration of their stay.
- Be admissible to Canada.
- Not bring any dependents.
- Have a round-trip ticket or sufficient funds to purchase a departure ticket for the end of their stay in Canada.
- Pay any necessary fees associated with the application process.
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