As part of its aim to increase participation in certain sectors of the workforce and fill the labor gap, Canada is seeking partners for ICE program expansion with organizations and countries around the world.
The ICE – (International Experience Canada) program has a new outlook for 2023 according to an internal memo from IRCC. In January of the same year, immigration minister Sean Fraser announced that the global quota for IEC admissions would be increased to nearly 90,000 participants. In the memo, IRCC provides additional details about how they arrived at this decision.
ICE program – What is it?
Young people aged 18-35 (depending on their nationality) can participate in the ICE to explore. And see Canada while earning money for their travels and gaining a local perspective.
It is the responsibility of the ICE to manage YMAs – (Youth Mobility Agreements) with participating nations and organizations. In addition to the YMAs with 36 partners in East Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, Canada has several agreements with other countries.
While the partner quota remains at 2022 levels, the global quota increase
A decline in admission to ICEs was observed in 2022 compared with the pre-pandemic level. As per IRCC, it is due to increased health hazards, travel costs, and severe labor shortages in partner countries.
As a result of these factors, partner quotas should remain at levels from 2022. But worldwide quotas should increase by 20% to 88,500. Partner quota participants are required to use a recognized organization from their nation to submit their applications. A global quota applies to individuals who direct their applications to IRCC.
IEC country partners in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America are being evaluated to help support the program in the long term, contributing to an increase in the global quota. Partnerships with other nations can also help Canada’s francophone areas attract more immigrants.
Moreover, because the program failed to reach its pre-existing global maximum of 73,655, the quota was increased globally. In the department’s opinion, increasing the global quota may help reduce “wastage.” Waste refers to young foreigners who are granted work permits but do not use them once they are in Canada.
Because of the ongoing challenges regarding displaced Ukrainian nationals, IRCC does not propose increasing partner quotas. As it believes some partners, particularly in Europe, might not be inclined to accept the changes. It is also possible that if quotas are raised this year, a precedent will be set for higher quotas every year reducing program flexibility should IRCC need to lower quotas due to an increase in unemployment rates in the future.
Participating Canadians in the IEC
A total of 14,000 partners are from France, 10700 partners are from Ireland, 6500 partners are from Japan, and 5000 partners are from the United Kingdom. Australians are not subject to quotas or caps on the number of licenses they can apply for.
A little less than 5% of IEC participants relocate to any other province or territory. The majority live in the lower mainland of British Columbia, followed by 14% in Ontario, 18% in Alberta, and 14% in Quebec.
As a result of a large number of IEC members, Canada can currently meet labor shortages with their help of them. Retail, lodging, and food services are among the service industries that IEC members frequently work in. IEC meets the labor demands of many employers, especially those in the service sector, according to the memo.
The current figures are based on the activation of permits for 58,186 IEC participants in 2019. It is estimated that there were really 87,816 foreign kids in Canada in that year. The length of the visa made it difficult for them to enter the country.
The fact remains that a large number of people who hold IEC permits in Canada decide not to work while they are here. Approximately 59% of participants with income tax returns between 2009 and 2017 earned an average of over $10,000, based on their income tax returns.
ICE program expansion – How does it work?
Participants in IEC can apply for a work permit in one of three ways. One of the most popular programs is the Working Holiday stream. It provides an Open Work Permit (OWP) for two years and entitles the holder to work with any Canadian company. The survey found that this stream permits 88% of IEC participants.
Employer-specific work permits are granted under the Young Professionals stream for young workers who have an offer of employment and want to work for only one employer in Canada.
Post-secondary students from partner nations can engage in international co-op internships with Canadian companies through the third option.
In order to qualify for the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be citizens or passport holders of one of the 36 countries that are part of Canada’s Youth Mobility Program.
- The candidate must have a current passport throughout their whole stay in Canada.
- The eligibility age range for the applicant is determined by their nationality. And can include 18-29, 18-30, or 18-35, inclusive of all ages within that range.
- At the time of arrival, the applicant must have at least $2,500 in Canadian currency.
- If an applicant intends to stay in the country for a period of time, they must be able to purchase health insurance.
- The applicant shall satisfy the prerequisites for admission to Canada.
- After their authorized stay in Canada has ended, the applicant must purchase a departure ticket or provide sufficient financial resources to do so.
- Dependents cannot accompany the applicant.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay the appropriate fees.
Candidate profiles are submitted to the IEC pool and, if selected, work visa applications are sent to the individual. After receiving an invitation, applicants have 30 days to complete and submit their applications.
