Work and travel in Canada using a recognized organization
If you’re eligible to come to Canada to work and travel under International Experience Canada (IEC), you can choose to contact a recognized organization (RO) for more support before and during your experience. They can help you
- find a job
- set up Canadian banking
- plan your travel or accommodations
- secure international health insurance and vaccinations
- find language and intercultural training or experiences
- get help with work and travel problems
- get help in an emergency
ROs are Canadian-based organizations that help youth work and travel internationally through IEC. They can be non-profit, for profit or educational. Most charge a fee for their services.
Each RO offers different services to help build your international experience. ROs might have their own eligibility requirements. IEC participants who use an RO can get 2 more lifetime participations.
ROs are different from representatives, who can help with your immigration or citizenship application.
Using an RO
If you’re from an IEC country or territory, you don’t have to use an RO, but you can choose to use one for more support before and during your experience.
If you decide to use an RO, please visit their website for details on what services they offer, fees, and how to contact them.
How to prove an RO is helping you
When you create your IEC profile, we’ll ask if you have a confirmation letter that proves an RO is helping you. You must get a confirmation letter from your RO and upload it to your profile.
List of ROs
AIESEC Canada
AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth through professional work and travel experiences.
Types of work permits:
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 30
Eligibility: IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India
GO International
GO International helps international youth work and travel in Canada. They run a working holiday program in Canada with professional staff who provide personal support for participants before and during their program. This includes pre-arrival coaching, job placement services, activities, accommodation options, travel advice and more.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Citizens of IEC countries or territories and the United States only
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)
IAESTE offers student and professional opportunities in technical-career-related fields for foreign national students from IEC or IAESTE member countries.
Types of work permits:
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
- International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Students and young professionals who are citizens from IEC countries or territories or IAESTE member countries
International Internship Network (IIN)
IIN offers personalized academic internship/co-op and working holiday programs for post-secondary students and youth from the specific partner countries listed below.
Types of work permits:
- International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Students and youth who are citizens of Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom
A-Way to Work/International Rural Exchange Canada Inc.
Through A-Way to Work, the non-profit organization International Rural Exchange Canada offers paid opportunities to young people in
- agriculture
- hospitality
- culinary arts
- tourism
- horticulture
- landscaping
- other sectors
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target Market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Citizens of IEC countries or territories only
Languages Canada
The Languages Canada consortium offers youth the opportunity to improve their English or French skills at an accredited language school and work with a Canadian employer. Participation options are available in Montréal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Citizens from IEC countries or territories only
Stepwest
Stepwest offers work experiences ranging from paid ski resort jobs to industry-specific student internships.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Citizens from IEC countries or territories only
SWAP Working Holidays
SWAP Working Holidays helps with working holidays and young professional work and travel opportunities.
Types of work permits:
- Working Holiday (open work permit)
- Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development
Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
Eligibility: Citizens from IEC countries or territories and the United States
Applying to International Experience Canada
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