International Experience Canada program is on hold under COVID-19IEC participants outside of Canada

Are foreign youth who travel to Canada through a youth mobility agreement under IEC expected to quarantine for some time after entering Canada?

Yes. Public health authorities require that all travellers quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Canada. This is mandatory. Please see New Order Makes Self-Isolation Mandatory for Individuals Entering Canada.

Will IEC continue to draw from pools during the COVID-19 pandemic?

No, IEC will not be sending out new rounds of invitations at this time. They are on hold until further notice.

Will IEC be processing applications?

IRCC is continuing to accept submissions of profiles into IEC pools. However, due to service interruptions, applications are not being processed at this time.

No applications in process will be closed or refused due to a lack of documentation or inability to complete the application process in time, such as giving biometrics or completing a medical exam.

I have received a biometrics instruction letter asking me to give my biometrics as part of my IEC work permit application and I haven’t been able to give them yet. What should I do?

Please refer to the biometrics information on IRCC’s website available here.

Is health care insurance still required to come to Canada under the IEC program?

Yes, private health care insurance, which includes hospitalization and repatriation, is a mandatory requirement for International Experience Canada, unless you receive coverage from your employer or the province or territory where you will be working (limited to employer-specific work permits, and not in all cases).

It is up to a participant to ensure that they have adequate coverage including for COVID-19 testing or illness in light of the current pandemic. Health care coverage must be valid for the entire time you are in Canada and cannot be purchased in Canada. Having a valid provincial or territorial health card is not enough. Repatriation is not covered by provincial or territorial health insurance.

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