This question (whether someone can submit a regular IEC application and an RO IEC application in the same IEC season) was asked by a concerned mother of a British IEC participant as well as by an Immigration Consultant colleague of mine in the last few months so I thought I would share the answer in my blog too.
With Permanent Residency becoming harder to attain, many IEC eligible youths are using back to back IEC participations to stay in Canada for longer, and the issue of when to apply is important.
The questions I posed to IRCC was:
“My question is if an applicant activates the IEC general pool work permit that they applied for during the 2024 IEC season could they then apply for an RO IEC pool participation during the same 2024 IEC season?
Or would they have to wait for the 2025 season to open before they can apply for an RO IEC pool participation?”
The answer is they have to wait for the 2025 IEC season to open. The last couple of seasons the RO IEC pool has opened in December following the closure of the previous IEC season in October. That is a little earlier than the opening of the regular/general IEC pool. So for example, the 2024 IEC season will likely close in October 2024 and then the 2025 IEC season will likely open for RO participants in December 2024.
Here is the confirmation from Immigration Representative Mailbox:
“Good morning,
Please find the response to your inquiry below.
Question: With Permanent Residency becoming harder to attain many IEC eligible youths are doing back to back IEC participations to stay in Canada for longer.
e.g. For Japanese citizen - usual scenario
An IEC general pool 12 months participation application during the 2024 season can be followed up by an RO IEC pool 12 months participation application during the 2025 season.
My question is if an applicant activates the IEC general pool work permit that they applied for during the 2024 IEC season could they then apply for an RO IEC pool participation during the same 2024 IEC season?
Or would they have to wait for the 2025 season to open before they can apply for an RO IEC pool participation?
Response: Thank you for your inquiry. Under the International Experience Canada (IEC) guidelines, an applicant can only have one active participation per season. Therefore, if an applicant activates an IEC general pool work permit during the 2024 season, they cannot simultaneously apply for another participation category, such as the RO (Recognized Organization) IEC pool, within the same 2024 season. Instead, they would need to wait for the following season (2025) to apply for a different participation category, ensuring compliance with the program's regulations that limit participants to one active participation at a time during each season.
For more information please visit the following webpage: Recognized organizations for foreign youth – IEC [R205(b) - C21] – Reciprocity – International Mobility Program - Canada.ca
Thank you kindly,
The Immigration Representatives Mailbox”