I’ve been working with several Spanish clients of late and have been mulling over the positive impact of an IEC participation with an RO for citizens of IEC eligible countries with discontinuance requirements.
As mentioned in a previous blog, nationals from following 6 IEC nations are required to take 3-12 month breaks between regular IEC participations:
Croatia (3 months), Latvia (1 year), Lithuania (3 months), Poland (6 months), Slovakia (3 months), and Spain (3 months).
I was curious as to whether RO participation in between two non-RO IEC participations would satisfy the requirement of taking a break for nationals of those six countries. I emailed the IRCC Immigration Representative Mailbox to clarify, and I received some great news. IRCC confirmed that participating in the regular (non-RO) IEC program, followed by an RO IEC participation, alleviates the need for the individual to take a break/discontinuance of 3 or 6 months. In other words, IRCC confirmed that nationals from the above-listed countries can indeed do back-to-back IEC participations if the middle one is an RO participation.
Here is the confirmation from Immigration Representative Mailbox:
Answer in full:
“Good day,
Thank you for your question regarding the impact of a RO IEC participation between Regular IEC participation on the third participation.
In the IEC Program, discontinuation clauses under youth mobility arrangements (YMAs) apply only between consecutive IEC participation. If a foreign worker finishes their IEC participation and applies for a work permit renewal in another category, the YMA's discontinuation clause does not apply.
Based on your scenario, since YMAs' discontinuation clauses only apply between consecutive IEC participation, participating in an RO program between Regular IEC participation would not affect the discontinuity requirement for the third participation. Therefore, these youths would be able to transition from a RO IEC work permit to a Regular IEC work permit without needing to discontinue for 3 or 6 months.
I hope this clarifies your query. If you have further questions, please refer to the International Experience Canada (IEC) program guidelines on changing work permit categories.
For more detailed information, please consult the International Experience Canada (IEC) program participants changing work permit categories.
We hope this information is of assistance.
Thank you,
The Immigration Representatives Mailbox”
Question in full:
“Dear Sirs/Mesdames,
I would like to get a clarification regarding the IEC Discontinuance Requirement.
As listed below youths from certain nations (6 IEC nations) aren't able to do back-to-back Regular IEC program participations without a discontinuance.
My question is if there is an RO IEC participation between the Regular IEC participations whether there would be an impact on the third participation?
1. Croatian/Polish national participates in the Regular WH program for 12 months
2. Croatian/Polish national participates in the RO WH program for 12 months (there is no discontinuity requirement for RO participations)
3. Croatian/Polish national participates in the Regular YP program for 12 months
Would the RO participation in the middle satisfy the discontinuity requirement for the third participation?
Would these youths be able to go from an RO IEC work permit to a Regular IEC work permit without discontinuing for 3 or 6 months?
I've chosen the two nations below as their eligibility isn't further complicated by residence requirements.
Thanks in advance for your insight.”
