Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy allowing certain International Experience Canada (IEC) participants to receive their new work permits without leaving Canada.
Under this policy, eligible IEC applicants can have their subsequent work permits issued and mailed to a Canadian address. The extension was confirmed on February 10, 2026, and remains in place until further notice.
This update is important for IEC participants whose current permits are expiring and who are approved for another participation category.
Official IRCC website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html
What Is International Experience Canada (IEC)?
International Experience Canada (IEC) allows youth from countries that have mobility agreements with Canada to obtain temporary work permits.
There are three main categories:
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Working Holiday (open work permit)
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Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit)
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International Co-op (Internship)
Applicants must:
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Be a citizen of a participating country
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Meet age requirements (usually 18–30 or 18–35 depending on country)
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Meet admissibility requirements
Applications are managed through invitation rounds.
IEC program details:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html
What Changed Under This Extended Policy?
Normally, IEC participants must activate a new work permit by entering Canada at a port of entry after receiving their Letter of Introduction (LOI).
Previously, many participants would:
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Travel outside Canada
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Re-enter to receive the new permit
However, since the restriction on flagpoling introduced in December 2024, this option has not been available.
Under the extended public policy:
Eligible applicants can:
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Remain inside Canada
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Request examination through IRCC’s web form
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Have the new work permit mailed to their Canadian address
This removes the need to leave Canada solely to activate a subsequent IEC permit.
Who Qualifies?
To use this policy, applicants must:
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Be physically present in Canada
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Hold a valid IEC work permit
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Have received a Letter of Introduction (LOI) for a subsequent IEC participation
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Submit a request via the IRCC web form before the LOI expires
IRCC requires specific mandatory wording when submitting the request. Applicants must carefully follow the instructions on the official website to avoid delays.
Web form submission page:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/web-form.html
Failure to submit the request before the LOI expiry may result in losing eligibility under this temporary policy.
Important Considerations
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This policy does not change eligibility rules for IEC participation.
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Country-specific limits on lifetime participations still apply.
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Annual quotas and invitation rounds remain in place.
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Applicants must continue to meet all program conditions.
Some countries allow only one IEC participation. Others allow two or three. Applicants should confirm their country’s rules before applying again.
What This Means for IEC Participants
For eligible IEC participants already in Canada, this extension:
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Reduces travel costs
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Avoids the need to leave Canada solely for permit activation
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Provides greater continuity of employment
However:
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It is a temporary public policy
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It may be withdrawn at any time
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Requests must be properly submitted before LOI expiry
Participants should plan early and not wait until the last week before their LOI expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to leave Canada to activate my second IEC permit?
If you qualify under this temporary policy, no. You can request issuance from inside Canada.
Is this policy permanent?
No. It is a temporary public policy extended until further notice.
Does this apply to all IEC categories?
It applies to eligible Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op participants who meet the criteria.
Does this guarantee approval of my second IEC permit?
No. You must still meet all eligibility requirements and receive a Letter of Introduction first.
Reality Check
This policy extension makes the process easier for eligible IEC participants already inside Canada. However:
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It does not create new IEC spots
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It does not remove country quotas
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It does not guarantee a second participation
If you plan to apply for another IEC work permit, monitor invitation rounds, confirm your eligibility, and submit required documents carefully.
Always refer to the official IRCC website for the most current instructions before taking action.
