The following are common questions about lnternational Experience Canada as well as traveling and working in Canada.
Q: Is the number of places limited? What is the quota?
A: There is a limit of 1000 places for 2012 , assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes 960 places for the Working Holiday category, 20 places for the Young Professionals category, and 20 places for the International Co-op (internship) category.
Q: How old must I be to be eligible?
A: International Experience Canada (IEC) is open to people aged 18 to 35. If you are about to turn 18, or will soon turn 36, please note that the age criteria are assessed as of the date your application was stamped as received by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei.
Q: My IEC application has been approved, but I will soon turn 36. Do I have to enter Canada before my birthday? Will my birthday limit the validity of my work permit?
A: No. Your Letter of Introduction is valid for presentation at a Canadian Port of Entry until the date of expiry. Your LOI validity may not exceed one year from the date of your medical examination (generally, most people will receive LOIs with a validity of approximately 10-11 months from the date of their medical exam) and is not affected if you turn 36 within its validity period.
Q: I have heard that Taiwanese passport holders no longer require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada. How will this affect my IEC application?
A: This will not have a significant impact on the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Applicants wishing to participate are still required to apply for a work permit – for which the fee is CAD$150 (approximately NT$4500). However, applicants eligible for the visa waiver program will no longer be required to submit their passport to finalize their application process as they will not require a TRV to be affixed into their passports before entering Canada. Once all necessary admissibility issues are met (medicals, police clearances etc), you will receive your Letter of Introduction and Welcome Letter at the email you have designated in your application.
Please note, however, holders of travel documents that are not eligible for the visa waiver must apply for a TRV as part of the application process. If you are not eligible for the visa waiver, you will be sent a request to submit your passport by mail during the second phase of the evaluation process, and if your application is approved by the Visa and Immigration section a TRV will be affixed into your passport. There is no extra fee associated with this process. For more information on eligibility for the visa waiver, click our VISA WAIVER FAQ. *** Only persons holding a Taiwanese passport that includes a personal identification number are eligible to participate in IEC.
For more information on the visa waiver, please visit the main CTOT website.
Q: I have learned that the CTOT has closed its Visa and Immigration section. How will this affect my IEC application?
A: The closure of the Visa and Immigration section at the CTOT will not have a significant effect on your IEC application process. All eligible Taiwanese passport-holders are still required to send applications to the CTOT to be evaluated by the IEC section. Applicants are therefore required to follow the instructions for IEC-Taiwan on the CTOT website. Those applications found to be eligible to participate in IEC will then be forwarded to the Visa and Immigration section in Hong Kong for further processing. The Visa and Immigration Section in Hong Kong will follow-up with applicants via email regarding medicals. They will also send LOIs to successful applicants via email. Inquiries about the IEC and your application should continue to be sent to the CTOT at iectaiwan@international.gc.ca.
Q: How long does my passport have to be valid for in order to apply?
A: You must hold a valid passport at the time you submit your application. The validity period of your work permit may not extend beyond the validity period of your passport. As such, the validity period your passport should cover the whole time you plan to stay in Canada. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply with passports valid for at least two years.
Q: How long does it take for approval of my application?
A: The entire process should take approximately eight weeks from the time you first submit your application, although the time required to process your entire application could vary. If you do not promptly comply with medical instructions or if there are other complications in your case, it could result in delays in processing your application.
Q: Do I need to have a job lined up in Canada before I apply?
A: That depends. If you are applying under the Working Holiday category, you do not need to have a job lined up in Canada before you apply.
However, if you are applying under either the Young Professionals or the International Co-op ( Internship) categories, you need to have obtained a pre-arranged contract for a job, work placement or internship in Canada. The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei cannot help you locate prospective employers in Canada. You can find an employer through travel and work abroad organizations, recruitment agencies, Internet job sites or newspapers. You can also consult Working in Canada.
Q: What type of insurance must I subscribe to before leaving for Canada?
A: IEC requires you to buy and maintain health-care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation) for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. We recommend that you buy this insurance only after you have received your Letter of Introduction, confirming that your IEC application was successful.
You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less than 12 months, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. In this case, you are not eligible to apply for an extension of your work permit at a later date.
Q: I do not have a Taiwanese passport. Is there a working holiday arrangement for me?
A: You can visit International Experience Canada to see whether your country or territory is covered by a similar arrangement.
Q: Can I participate in the Canada IEC initiative more than once?
A: No. You may participate in the IEC initiative only once under the Canada-Taiwan youth mobility agreement.
Q: If I am assigned an IEC spot and issued a Letter of Introduction but do not use it, will I get back the program participation fee? Can I apply again in subsequent years?
A: No. Fees are not refundable once the Letter of Introduction is issued. As well, each individual may only participate under the arrangement once. You are deemed a participant once you are issued a Letter of Introduction.
Q: I would like to take advantage of IEC to travel within Canada in 2013. What are the criteria?
A: Information pertaining to our quota for 2013 will be posted near the end of the year 2012.
However, you may apply under the 2012 IEC if you plan to enter Canada in 2013 , depending on which month you intend to enter. If your application to IEC is successful, you will receive a Letter of Introduction that will have a validity of approximately 10 to 11 months from the date of your medical exam.
Q: Can I include my family members (my spouse, my common-law partner, my child) on my application for the IEC initiative?
A: None of your family members may be included on your IEC application. If your family members wish to stay longer than 6 months as tourists, they must submit separate applications through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner may submit a separate IEC application package if he or she is eligible. School-aged children require study permits.
Q: How can I go about having my medical examination done? Do I have to include my medical examination results in my IEC application package?
A: The Visa and Immigration section may send instructions on how to have your medical examination completed once they have received your work permit application form and determine that a medical examination is required. See “Work Permit Application Status” section for more information on this process. You do not have to include medical examination results in your initial IEC application package. Only those that pass the initial eligibility screening stage (i.e., your IEC Application & Declarations form has been approved) who are then considered for a work permit may be required to undergo a medical examination. Most applicants under the IEC should anticipate being required to undergo medicals. If you do not perform the medical exam within the indicated timeframe, your application for a work permit may be refused.
Note that completion of medical examinations is at your own expense and at your own risk. Completing a medical examination does not guarantee that a LOI will be issued.
Q: What is the difference between the three Youth Mobility categories - Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op? Which category should I choose?
A: All three categories are different. The Working Holiday is for applicants that do not have pre-arranged employment, and who plan to travel in Canada and arrange work in Canada after their arrival to supplement their travel expenses. Applicants who do not have pre-arranged employment must apply to this category. They will receive an open work permit for up to 12 months. The Young Professionals category is recommended for applicants who already have an employment offer from a Canadian employer and would like to obtain professional work experience in Canada. Participants will be permitted to stay in Canada only for the period of time of employment, as specified by the employer, for a maximum of 12 months. The International Co-op category is recommended for students who have a pre-arranged work placement in Canada with a Canadian employer, and whose academic institution has agree to give them credit for the work placement as part of their degree program/training. Participants in this category will stay in Canada only for the period of time of employment, as specific by the employer, for a maximum of 12 months.
Q: Do I have to include a Taiwan police certificate as part of my International Experience Canada application?
A: Yes.The Visa and Immigration section has determined that all applicants are now required to submit police clearances as part of their application to the IEC. Note that obtaining a police certificate is completed at your own expense.
NOTE: Many employers in Canada – especially in fields such as schooling and/or childcare – require that prospective employees provide police clearances. As such, it is recommended that you also take a police clearance with you when you travel to Canada.
Q: Why have 25 places been reserved for each of the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories?
A: In order to provide an opportunity for those that have already found jobs in Canada to participate in the program, we have reserved a small amount of our quota for the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories. This means that potential applicants who have already received an offer of employment, and/or made arrangements for a co-op work term in Canada will have places reserved for them to participate under the IEC program.
Q: Why should I participate? What’s in it for me?
A: What you learn from other cultures and the self-reliance you gain from living and working abroad are all highly marketable assets in a global economy. Companies with international operations often seek individuals who are able to communicate effectively in more than one language, and who can understand the nuances of a different culture and its values. An international experience in Canada can help you build these skills and more!
Q: Is my home country or territory participating in these programs?
A: We have programs in several countries and territories and are adding new ones all the time. Please see the list of all participating countries and territories.
Q: Do you provide financial assistance?
A: A travel and work year in Canada can be a very rewarding experience, but it can be expensive. Plan accordingly. International Experience Canada does not provide any financial assistance. You are responsible for your own journey including travel arrangements, airfare, participation fee, accommodation costs and finding employment in Canada.
Q: What kind of jobs can I find in Canada?
A: All kinds! It depends on what you want to do and how hard you want to look for employment. Many of our participants find work in the tourism and hospitality industries (for example, in restaurants, pubs, hotels) where Canadian employers are willing to offer temporary work. You can also get work experience in a variety of fields such as science, law, education, commerce, or administration.
Q: I am not a student. Can I still participate?
A: Of course! International Experience Canada is open to students and non-students between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to travel and work in Canada.
Q: What is a Letter of Introduction?
A: A Letter of Introduction is a document issued by the Visa and Immigration Section, confirming that your application for a work permit has been approved. It notifies you that you may leave for Canada in order to work.
The Letter of Introduction provided under the IEC initiative provides only for a work permit. You must present your letter to an immigration officer at a point of entry to Canada (airport, land crossing). The work permit will be issued to you by the Immigration Officer upon presentation of your Letter of Introduction and the other required documents.
Q: What is the difference between a Work permit obtained through IEC and any other kind of Work Permit?
A: A Work permit (code C-21) obtained through IEC is issued only to persons who meet the specific IEC eligibility criteria and who are admissible to Canada. For other work permits, you would require an offer of employment in Canada. In most cases, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada must also provide a Labour Market Opinion.
Q: What is a World Tracking Number?
A: A World Tracking Number is the assigned tracking number for your application, which you should refer to in all future correspondence with us. If your IEC Application and Declarations Form meets all the eligibility requirements, you will be sent an email informing you that you have been successful at this initial stage, and that your Work Permit application (IMM1295B) has been sent to the Visa and Immigration section for processing.
Q: Why does my work permit include the words " This does not authorize re-entry"? Does this mean I cannot enter Canada multiple times?
A: You work permit is not a travel document, it is a document which allows you to work in Canada, but it is not equivalent to a visa. Therefore the sentence "This does not authorize re-entry to Canada" simply means that you cannot present your work permit at the border to re-enter Canada if you depart during your IEC participation. This does not mean that you cannot re-enter Canada. You are required to show your valid passport to enter Canada each time you enter. Since most Taiwanese passport-holders are visa-exempt for Canada, they do not require a visa to enter or re-enter Canada.
Q: Can I volunteer while in Canada?
A: Yes. You may volunteer during your stay in Canada under the Working-Holiday Category. However, participants in the Young Professionals and International Co-op Internship categories should be careful, as they do not have “open” work permits and some types of volunteer work may not be allowed. If you have any concerns, you can call Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1 888 242 2100 to discuss your options.
Q: I currently have a valid IEC work permit, can it be extended? Even if it was not initially issued for 12 months?
A: No, your current work permit obtained through IEC cannot be extended, nor can you apply beyond the validity period originally authorized as per your letter of Introduction. You are also not permitted to apply for a new work permit under the IEC as a Taiwanese passport holder.
Q: Is it possible to enrol in a course during my stay in Canada while under the IEC?
A: Yes, but the course (or courses) must be completed within a six-month period. You may not sign up for a course that is part of a program lasting more than six months (such as a two-year program or four-year degree). In this case, a separate study permit would be required. The working holiday experiences through International Experience Canada may not be combined with formal studies. For more information about studying in Canada and work opportunities as a student, visit the Council of Ministers of Education website, and for scholarships, visit the International Scholarships website.
Q: I am currently in Canada with a work permit issued under the IEC initiative. My employer would like me to continue working after the permit expires. Is this possible under IEC? What should I do?
A: Keeping in mind that an IEC work permit cannot be renewed or extended, if you wish to prolong your stay in Canada over 12 months, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days before the expiry date of your current status by contacting the Case Processing Center at the following address: CPC Vegreville, 6212, 55th Avenue, Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1W5 CANADA. For more information, you can contact the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) call center at 1-888-242-2100 or consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
Q: Can I change my status (from worker to visitor; from worker to student, from student to worker, from IEC participant to another category of temporary worker through CIC ) while I am in Canada?
A: You must go to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website or call 1-888-242-2100 to check the requirements for changing the conditions of your work permit or extending your stay in Canada. You should make your inquiries after entry to Canada, while your document is still valid.
Q: Does the time on my work permit go on hold if I temporarily leave Canada?
A: No, the time on your permit continues to run out. The time cannot be put on hold.