In the ever-evolving landscape of global opportunities, the Young Professional Visa Canada’s Immigration authorities offer stands as a beacon of promise for aspiring talents.
Aimed at empowering young professionals from around the world, this specialized immigration pathway opens doors to invaluable career experiences and personal growth for the young.
In this era of international collaboration, the Young Professional Visa serves as a conduit for cross-cultural exchange and cultivating a diverse, skilled workforce.
Join us as we explore this transformative visa program, unlocking the doors to a world of possibilities for ambitious young minds.
What Is The Young Professional Visa?
The Young Professionals visa category is an employer-specific work permit for those who have a job offer in Canada before arriving.
It also helps individuals who have already been to Canada based on an IEC working holiday visa to move back to Canada for an additional one to two years, depending on your nationality.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a popular option for young professionals.
The IEC program allows young adults from certain countries with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada to obtain work permits and gain valuable work experience in Canada.
The IEC program includes three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship).
1. Working Holiday
This category allows participants to work and travel in Canada to fund their holidays.
It’s a great opportunity to explore the country while working short-term jobs.
Who is eligible for the working holiday?
The Working Holiday visa is for People who:
- Has no job.
- If you want to work in Canada.
- If you want to work from different places.
- If you want to travel and explore Canada while working.
Also see: IEC Canada Travel Insurance
2. Young Professionals
Under this category, participants can work in a pre-arranged job related to their field of expertise.
This is an excellent option for those seeking international work experience in their chosen profession.
3. International Co-op (Internship)
This category is designed for students who must complete a work placement or internship to fulfill academic requirements.
It allows them to gain practical experience in Canadian companies.
(IEC) International Experience Canada allows youth to travel and work in Canada.
Obtain Canadian professional work experience to better compete in a global economy.
The IEC has a program called The Young Professionals, and It allows young people from 22 countries to live and work in Canada for up to two years, depending on the country of origin.
The Young Professionals category is for you if:
- You have a job provision in Canada that adds to your development professionally.
- During your stay in Canada, you will work for the same employer in the same location.
Below the Young Professionals category, work must be:
- Paid
- Not self-employed
How to Apply For the Young Professionals Program (IEC)
Step 1: Answer a Series of Questions
- Country of citizenship
- Where you live permanently (Country of permanent residence)
- Country of residence (where you live now)
- Student status (if this applies to you)
- Job offer (if this applies to you)
Step 2: Complete Your Online IEC Profile
You can complete and tender your IEC profile online if you obtain a positive result.
Follow these steps if you checked your eligibility without signing in:
- Copy or note down the personal reference code you are given after the questionnaire (This is what it looks like JM1234567890).
- Generate your account.
- When you are asked, enter your reference code.
You will not get a personal reference code if you check your eligibility by signing into your account. You do not need one. Click “Continue.”
They will use your answers from the questionnaire to start your profile.
You will need your passport to complete your profile. You’ll also need to tell them about your:
- Full name, date of birth, place of birth, etc. (Identity).
- Contact Data
Filling in the online forms:
- If you have multiple first or last names, leave out any commas that separate your first or last names.
- Only use English and French letters.
- Use the letter without an accent if your passport uses other special letters or characters. For example, use “z” instead of “ź.”
Step 3: Submit Your Profile
When you finish your profile, they will tell you which pools are available.
You can submit your completed profile to any of their available pools.
Before submitting your profile, ensure you understand which category is best for you.
Important: Submitting an IEC profile does not imply that you have sought a work permit.
You need a formal invitation to apply to start a work permit application.
You will use your account to do the following if you’re invited to apply:
- Tender your work permit application.
- Clear your fees.
- Verify the status of your application.
Documents Required for the Young Professionals Program in Canada
1. Proof of Financial Support
Bring proof of financial support with you, as Border Services Officers may ask you for proof of funds when you arrive in Canada.
Medical exams & diagnostic tests
- You must undergo a medical examination before submitting your work permit application if you’ve recently spent six months or more living or traveling in a specific country or territory.
If you desire to work in the field of health whether it be primary or secondary, child care, or elderly care, you must visit a physician designated as a panel physician by IRCC.
Also see: Jobs For New Immigrants In Canada
2. Police Clearances
You’ll typically need to obtain police certificates.
You must present documentation for each nation where you have lived for six or more months since turning 18.
3. CV/Résumé
You must make a copy of your CV or resume available.
A resume or curriculum vitae is a succinct summary of your:
- Education,
- Qualifications, and
- Work experience (main obligations for each job).
It must also state where you live, your current work title, and the nation.
4. Passport
A copy of your passport that is easily readable must be provided.
Your passport needs to be current.
- When you apply to the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, and
- Upon entering and leaving Canada.
Your work permit will not be issued for longer than when your passport is valid.
Your passport must include a blank page, not just the last page.
5. Digital photo
One must make available a digital photo of yourself, and family information.
Depending on your country of citizenship, you must complete one of the Family Information forms:
- Family Information (IMM 5645) (PDF, 67.1 KB), or
- Family Information (IMM 5707) (PDF, 640.83 KB).
These forms request information about your
- spouse or common-law partner,
- parents,
- Children, stepchildren, adopted children, and
- Your brothers and sisters, including step-siblings and half-siblings (IMM 5645 only).
6. Electronic Travel Authorization or Visitor Visa Application
Contingent on your country of citizenship, you’ll need either an eTA or a visitor visa.
You do not have to apply for these documents.
If you need an eTA, you will automatically get one when your work permit application is granted.
If you need a visitor visa, you will obtain a request letter asking you to send them your passport.
Benefits of The Young Professionals visa
- Eligible candidates have a high chance of getting one of these visas.
- Former IEC working holiday participants can participate in an additional year in Canada.
- You can gain important career development and expand your professional network.
- You can boost your CV with international work experience.
Also see: How to Apply for Working Holiday Visa in Canada
How To Get The Young Professional Visa For Canada
To be eligible for the IEC Young Professional Work Permit, candidates must have:
- A signed work permit or employment contract that “contributes to your career development,” according to the IRCC.
This means a job in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Education, Training, Experience, Responsibility (TIER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
TIER 4 jobs are acceptable if the applicant presents proof of higher education, certificate, or degree. as well as a work permit showing a direct link to their education.
This law also applies to those who intend to work in agriculture.
Candidates must always demonstrate a good employer-employee relationship in the IEC Young Professionals category. - Working hours must fall within the candidate’s professional field.
- Be a citizen (passport holder) of a country that has participated in the IEC and has a profile on Youth Action.
- Have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in Canada (no work permits will be issued for longer than the validity of your passport).
- Between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35 (inclusive) at the time of application. Maximum age, “Who can apply?” Depends on the applicant’s nationality.
- Bring at least the equivalent of CAD 2,500 when you land to cover the initial cost.
- Ability to purchase health insurance for the duration of the IEC license (participants must present proof of this insurance when entering Canada).
See doctors and get quotes on our Canadian health insurance page. - Be permissible to Canada.
- Have the financial resources to have a round-trip air ticket before departure or to purchase an exit airline ticket at the end of their stay in Canada.
- Not with family members.
- Pay a reasonable price.
- Citizens of some countries must reside in their country of citizenship when applying for an IEC work permit.
How To Get An IEC Young Professionals Work Permit
Interested IEC Youth Professionals must complete the Come to Canada questionnaire on the Canadian Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) website.
This will first indicate your eligibility for an IEC Young Professional license.
You can then create a profile and select the IEC Young Engineers in your country.
The IRCC will randomly select candidates from the pool and issue them an “Invitation to Apply” or ITA for a work permit.
At this stage, applicants are required to submit all supporting documents and pay the IEC membership fee.
In recent years, its price has been 150 dollars.
Employers will also be required to pay an Employee Compliance Fee of $230 through the Employer Online Portal.
After payment, applicants will receive an Employment Number which they must provide with their application.
After IEC Young Professionals submit your application, it will take up to eight weeks for IRCC staff to consider your application, during which additional information may be requested.
How Do I Convert a Visitor Visa To a Canadian Work Permit While In Canada?
Once you’re in Canada, you can apply for a work permit by following these steps:
Step 1: Apply To Work in Canada
You can apply through many job portals such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or a company website.
But remember that your resume must meet Canadian standards.
Tourist visa workers can obtain a Canadian work permit until February 28, 2022.
Step 2: Get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Approved Offer Letter
The Labour Market Impact Assessment is an instrument to protect the work rights of Canadian citizens.
For an employer to grant you an LMIA, they must demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the job and that a Canadian citizen cannot take it.
Step 3: Apply For a Work permit.
Now that the hardest part of the job is over, you can give your work permit.
1. Sign Up
Canada If you have a full-time paid job that qualifies for one of the TIER 0, 1, 2, or 3 groups, please complete the registration at least three months before your desired travel date.
In some cases, advance notice of the application will be fine, but there is no guarantee when the permit will be granted.
2. Employers Offer a Job Through the Government of Canada Website and Provide You With a Contract
They have a guide your employer can use to guide you through the process, and they can contact SWAP Working Holidays if they have any questions.
Your employer must provide you with a seven-digit number generated after you submit the job to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using the online portal.
Employers will also pay a government fee of $230
3. Submit Your Profile to IEC Young Professionals
Once InterExchange approves, they will send you your information on completing the Canadian International Work Permit (IEC) with the Government of Canada.
Canadian IEC section of the website.
When asked, Your Recommended Organization (R.O.) is SWAP Working Holidays.
Let InterExchange know that you have submitted your profile and paid for the program.
4. Receive and Accept an Invitation to Apply
Once your profile has been submitted and reviewed, you will receive an Invitation to Apply for a Work Permit (ITA) on the IEC website.
This usually happens within two weeks.
You must accept this and proceed with your application as soon as possible before the invitation expires.
5. Submit IEC Application
Complete the web form and submit the required information to the IEC website.
You will also pay all IEC and Canadian government fees (161 CAD).
Police certification requirements can vary from applicant to applicant.
Generally, only applicants who have lived outside the United States for more than six months will be required to provide proof of police clearance, although others may be required to provide it.
Most US citizens do not need biometrics.
Medical advice can vary from person to person.
Generally, only applicants interested in working in childcare, health, or education will be asked to provide this information, but others may need to provide it as well.
6. Receive IEC Work Permit Decision
The processing time for obtaining IEC Work Permit Order can vary, but in some experiences, most applicants are approved within two months.
At this time, the IEC may request additional information or documents.
7. Purchasing a Travel Medical Insurance
This is a requirement, and they are happy to offer you some options.
Your insurance should cover all the days you plan in Canada.
Your work permit is issued only during the period of being insured.
8. Give Travel Dates
The last step before you travel is to give them your planned dates.
They need your travel dates to sign up for Canadian service provider SWAP.
Please note that the validity period of your work permit will be specific to your start/end date.
9. Enter Canada and Get a Work Permit
Your IEC general permit, issued online or via email, is not your work permit.
It allows you to enter Canada and get clearance at the border or airport.
Then you should carefully check the validity of your authorization documents before entering the country.
Also see: IEC Resume Template – IEC Resume Samples
Apply For The Young Professional Visa
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the Young Professional Visa under Canada’s Immigration framework is a testament to the nation’s commitment to fostering global talent and innovation.
This is proven by providing a gateway for young professionals to secure a job in the Canadian work environment.
This program fuels a virtuous cycle of knowledge-sharing, skills development, and cultural enrichment.
Embracing diversity and ambition, Canada welcomes the next generation of trailblazers to leave their mark on its dynamic landscape, as they, in turn, enrich the nation with their unique contributions and make lasting connections that transcend borders.
What are you waiting for? Why haven’t you applied?
