New policy spares eligible IEC applicants from mandatory international travel
In a significant policy shift, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a more convenient work permit delivery option for International Experience Canada (IEC) participants currently residing in Canada. The change, effective immediately and valid until December 1, 2025, allows eligible applicants to receive their new IEC work permits directly by mail — eliminating the need to exit and re-enter Canada to activate a second participation.
This move marks a strategic change in how IRCC handles IEC work permit renewals and aims to reduce logistical burdens on young foreign workers hoping to extend their stay in the country.
New Process for Eligible Applicants
Under the previous system, IEC participants applying for a second round of participation were required to physically leave Canada and re-enter to activate their new work permit — even if they were already in possession of a valid Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. However, the new policy now enables certain IEC applicants to complete the process from within Canada.
To be eligible for mail delivery of a new IEC work permit, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- They must have held a valid IEC work permit at the time of submitting their application for a new participation.
- They must possess a valid POE Letter of Introduction that has not expired.
- They must currently be residing in Canada and maintain valid legal status throughout the process.
If an applicant does not meet these conditions, the only remaining option is to travel outside Canada and re-enter from a country other than the United States or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon — a policy in line with IRCC’s ongoing restriction on the practice known as “flagpoling.”
Ending the Era of Flag poling for IEC Participants
The motivation behind this policy change stems from IRCC’s recent restriction on flagpoling, introduced in December 2024. Flagpoling refers to the practice of briefly leaving Canada (usually via the U.S. land border) to immediately re-enter and activate a new work permit or status at a port of entry. Although previously common and relatively simple, IRCC now prohibits most foreign nationals from using this method — including IEC participants.
This shift left IEC applicants in a difficult position, as many had no reason or financial capacity to travel abroad simply to reactivate their work authorization. With international travel no longer a viable shortcut, IRCC’s new mailing option fills a critical gap in access for those seeking to remain in Canada without interruption.
Avoiding Status Gaps: Apply Early
IRCC advises all IEC participants planning to apply for another round of participation to do so well in advance of their current permit’s expiry. Work permit processing times can vary but generally range between four to six weeks or longer. Given this timeline, applying early ensures continuity of legal status and employment.
Failing to maintain valid status throughout the application process could lead to serious complications, including being forced to leave Canada or losing employment eligibility.
What Is the IEC Program?
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a government initiative that facilitates cultural exchange by allowing young adults from over 30 countries to live and work in Canada for up to two years. The program includes three distinct streams:
- Working Holiday: Open work permits for flexible employment across sectors.
- Young Professionals: Employer-specific permits for career development.
- International Co-op (Internship): For students completing internships related to their field of study.
Participants must be issued a POE Letter of Introduction before arriving in Canada. This document is typically presented at the border to obtain an initial work permit. For those applying from within Canada for a second IEC term, this letter now serves as the basis for IRCC to issue a new permit via mail.
Looking Ahead
By removing the need for international travel and offering a mail-based solution, IRCC has made the IEC program more accessible and adaptable to the realities faced by young foreign workers in Canada. As immigration processes continue to evolve in response to global mobility challenges, this change represents a practical and timely step in modernizing Canadian work permit policy.
