An agreement to allow Canadians and Finns aged 18 to 35 to work and travel to each other’s country through International Experience in Canada The program (IEC) or its Finnish equivalent has entered into force.
The Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement was signed on May 19, 2023.
“Canada and Finland share a strong bilateral relationship based on shared values and people-to-people connections,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
“The IEC will allow Canadian and Finnish youth to learn from new cultures and experiences while developing skills, enhancing career prospects and strengthening friendships that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
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Originally established in 1956, the program now allows these cross-cultural links between 38 partner countries and territories.
Canada Program Countries with International Experience
|
Andorra |
Greece |
Portugal |
|
Australia |
Hong Kong |
San Marino |
|
Austria |
Puffin Island |
Slovakia |
|
Belgium |
Ireland |
Slovenia |
|
Canada |
Ital |
Spain |
|
Chile |
Japan |
Sweden |
|
Costa Rica |
South Korea |
Switzerland |
|
Croatia |
Latvia |
Taiwan |
|
Czech Republic |
Lithuania |
Ukraine |
|
Denmark |
Luxembourg |
United Kingdom |
|
Estonia |
Netherlands |
|
|
finland |
New Zeland |
|
|
France |
Norway |
|
|
Germany |
Poland |
Finland’s addition to the IEC was announced in Thunder Bay, Ontario last year.
“The cultural fabric of Thunder Bay and our region is woven with Finnish culture. From food, language and traditions, generations of Finns have contributed to our communities in many important ways,” said Patty Hajdu, then federal minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
“The Canada-Finland Youth Mobility Agreement will give young people of all backgrounds across Canada an opportunity to learn from each other, strengthening the ties between our two countries.”
In 2023, Canada expanded IEC to nearly 90,000 international youth. More than 240,000 Canadians have participated in the IEC since 2008.
The Youth Program allows foreign nationals to work in Canada
As per IEC Job Vacancy category candidates are open work permits that allow them to work anywhere in the host country. They do not have to have a job offer and can work for more than one employer while in the country.
According to the category of international cooperation or practice, students obtain employer-specific work permits to gain experience in their field of study.
The work placement or internship must be a requirement of the course of study and thus work permits are employer specific. These participants must work for the same employer in the same country for the entire duration of their stay.
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The Young Professionals category allows participants to obtain employer-specific work permits to gain targeted and professional work experience that is within their field of study or career path.
The work must be one that contributes to the professional development of the participant. The work permit granted is specific to the employer.
Under the IEC, applicants have the option of coming to work and travel to Canada with the assistance of a Recognized Organization (RO) to help them plan their travel.
These organizations, which usually charge a fee for their services, can help applicants:
- get information about Canadian culture, languages, laws, taxes and job opportunities;
- find transportation and;
- provide general support and advice.
Using an RO may help some of those who may wish to apply from non-IEC countries come to Canada through the program. Each IEC applicant using an RO must provide a confirmation letter indicating that the organization is assisting him or her and upload it to his or her profile.
Here is a list of these popular organizations, their target markets, the work permit they help issue, and the countries in which they operate.
AIESEC Canada
AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth.
Types of work permits:
Young professionals (employer specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Young people from 18 to 30 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India
Go international
GO International is a Canadian organization that provides work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
Holidays (open work permit)
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries/territories, United States
International Association for Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
IAESTE offers career-related technical work opportunities.
Types of work permits:
Young professionals (employer specific work permit) for career development
International Cooperation (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries and other partner countries of IAESTE
International Internship Network (IIN)
IIN offers customized academic internship/co-op and work holiday programs for post-secondary students and youth in the specific partner countries listed below.
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible countries: Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom
A-Way to Work/International Rural Exchange Canada Inc.
Through A-Way to Work, the not-for-profit International Rural Exchange Canada offers paid opportunities to youth in:
- agriculture
- hospitality
- culinary arts
- tourism
- HORTICULTURAL
- landscape
- other sectors
Types of work permits:
Holidays (open work permit)
Young professionals (employer specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries/territories only
Languages Canada
The Languages Canada Consortium offers a variety of job opportunities abroad for young Canadians, specializing in the employment of English teachers in training and in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible countries: IEC countries or territories only
Stepabroad (Stepwest)
Stepwest offers work experiences ranging from paid ski resort jobs to industry-specific student internships.
Types of work permits:
Holidays (open work permit)
Young professionals (employer specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries/territories only
SWAP Working Holidays
SWAP Working Holidays helps with working holidays and new professional work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
Holidays (open work permit)
Young professionals (employer specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Young people from 18 to 35 years old
Eligible for: IEC countries/territories, United States
