Work Permit Process Simplified for IEC in Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new policy allowing International Experience Canada (IEC) participants already residing in Canada to receive their new work permits by mail, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria.

This initiative aims to eliminate the need for applicants to leave and re-enter Canada—a practice known as "flagpoling"—which was previously used to obtain new permits. Flagpoling has been banned for most foreign nationals, including IEC participants, since December 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the mail-in work permit process, applicants must:

• Be in Canada with a valid IEC work permit at the time of application.
• Hold a valid Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.
• Request the new work permit before the POE letter expires.
• Maintain legal status in Canada throughout the application process.

This policy is effective until December 1, 2025. Applicants who do not meet these criteria are required to leave Canada and re-enter from a country other than the United States or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to obtain a new IEC work permit.

Processing Times and Recommendations

IEC work permits currently take four to six weeks or more to process. IRCC recommends that eligible applicants submit their new applications well before their current permits expire to avoid losing legal work status.

The IEC program offers youth from over 30 countries the opportunity to live and work in Canada for up to two years. This new policy is part of IRCC's ongoing efforts to streamline immigration processes and reduce the burden on border services