Canada: Early Career Workers Eligible for LMIA-Exempt Permits

International Experience Canada (IEC): LMIA-Exempt Work Permits for Youth

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program allows young people from countries with bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements (YMAs) to obtain one- to two-year LMIA-exempt work permits. Unlike the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), IEC permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment, making them faster and easier to secure.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the IEC Canada program, you must:

• Be a citizen of a country or territory that has a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada;

• Be aged 18–30 or 18–35, depending on your nationality;

• Hold private health insurance for the duration of your stay;

• Have a valid passport covering your stay;

• Show proof of at least $2,500 in available funds for your first three months;

• Possess a round-trip ticket or sufficient funds to buy one at the end of your stay;

• Be admissible to Canada (no grounds of inadmissibility).

In some cases, youth from non-partner countries may still access IEC through recognized Canadian organizations (ROs).

Key Benefits of IEC

• LMIA-exempt work permits — faster and less paperwork compared to the TFWP.

• Flexibility — permits last one to two years, with some participants eligible for repeat participation.

• Youth-focused — designed specifically for young professionals and travelers looking for Canadian work experience.

Eligible Nationalities