The second IEC participation that British citizens became eligible for during the 2024 IEC season has allowed many Brits to stay in Canada for longer.
If you’re a British Citizen, I am here to give you clarity as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and let you know what your regular IEC program and RO IEC program options are under the new bilateral agreement.
If you are currently in Canada on a regular 12 months IEC Canada working holiday work permit following your first regular 24 months participation, these are your options for extending your IEC time when your second regular IEC participation of 12 months is over:
- Apply again through CRI and IREC to get a 24 months RO IEC Working Holiday participation
OR
- Apply again through CRI and IREC to get a 24 months RO IEC Young Professionals participation
Once the 24-months RO participation (either of the above options) is over, you can:
- Apply again through CRI and IREC to get a 12 months RO IEC Working Holiday participation
OR
- Apply again through CRI and IREC to get a 12 months RO IEC Young Professionals participation
I received confirmation from the Immigration Representative Mailbox that if British citizens combine the two regular IEC participations and two RO IEC participations, they are able to work in Canada for a total of 6 years! 2+1+2+1 would likely be the usual scenario (please see screenshot below).
“Hello,
Please see our response to your question.
Question:
18-35 year old UK citizens get two IRCC Recognized Organized participations in their lifetime. Before the new agreement came in they were able to get two 2-year RO IEC work permits.
Two RO participations based on the old agreement: 24 months + 24 months.
With the new bilateral agreement first RO participation will be for 2 years and second RO participation will be for 1 year.
Two RO participations based on the new agreement: 24 months + 12 months
Am I understanding things correctly? Is it a total of 36 months participating in the RO IEC program twice?
Response:
Prior to the update of the youth mobility agreement between United Kingdom (UK) and Canada on December 11, 2023, British citizens only had access to the Working Holiday category and could only participate once in the program for up to 24 months (up to 12 months prior to 2015). As of December 11, 2023, British citizens may participate in International Experience Canada (IEC) twice for a total of 36 months with a first participation of 24 months, and a second participation of 12 months under any of the following categories Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op (intersnships). A previous participation will count toward the total number of participations allowed.
However, foreign national youth are also eligible to apply through an IEC recognized organisation (RO) twice in their lifetime, over and above the participations that the youth mobility agreement or arrangement allows. Each RO has different eligibility criteria and they may not be bound by all the program requirements specific to each country or territory that holds a bilateral agreement or arrangement with Canada’s IEC program. Additionally, repeat category participations through a RO are allowed and there is no discontinuity or break requirement for RO participations.
As such, UK applicants are allowed 2 participations under the bilateral agreement for a total of 36 months, and 2 participations through a RO.
For more information, please visit the public instructions here Work and travel in Canada using a Recognized Organization - Canada.ca, and the following publicly available instructions for officers at:
· Bilateral agreements and arrangements [R205(b) – C21] – International Experience Canada (IEC) – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program - Canada.ca
· International Experience Canada [R205(b)] (exemption code C21) – Participation eligibility requirements - Canada.ca
· International Experience Canada (IEC) – Recognized organizations for foreign youth – International Mobility Program - Canada.ca
We hope this information is of assistance.
Thank you kindly.”