IRCC Extends IEC In-Canada Subsequent Work Permit Policy

Canada will continue to let many young foreign workers renew their International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits without leaving the country. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently extended a temporary public policy that allows eligible applicants to receive their new permits by mail at a Canadian address.

Easier Process for IEC Participants

Under the updated measure, IEC participants who already hold a valid work permit and receive a letter of introduction (LOI) for a second participation can complete the final steps from inside Canada. They must remain physically present in Canada and submit a request through IRCC’s online web form before their LOI expires.

Applicants must include specific wording in their request. The required text begins with:
"A112025: I am requesting an A11 examination and the issuance of my work permit from within Canada. My application number is [W#########]. I submitted my IEC application on [date]. I have received my IEC POE letter of introduction, which is valid until [date].

My current contact information in Canada is:

Telephone: [phone number]
Mailing address: [address]
Residential address: [address]"

Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants must also confirm details about their employer. Working Holiday participants must confirm that they still meet the open work permit requirements.

No More Border Trips Required

Before this policy came into effect, many IEC participants had to leave Canada simply to activate their next permit. Some flew back to their home country. Others travelled to the United States and re-entered Canada.

That option ended when Canada banned flagpoling on December 23, 2024. Since then, IEC applicants could not activate new permits by briefly crossing the border and returning. The extension now offers clarity and relief to those already working in Canada.

IRCC first introduced the policy in spring 2024. Officials planned to end it on December 1, 2025, but they extended it on February 10, 2026. The department has not announced an end date.

Who Can Apply?

The IEC program allows young people from 36 partner countries to work and travel in Canada. Depending on their country of citizenship, applicants must fall between ages 18 and 30 or 18 and 35. They must also meet general admissibility rules and specific program conditions.

Some countries allow only one lifetime participation. Others permit two or even three. For example, Australia, Austria, Finland, France and Ireland allow up to three participations. The United Kingdom allows two. Countries such as Belgium, Hong Kong and Iceland allow only one.

Each year, the program opens its application pool in December. IRCC begins issuing invitations in January. Demand often exceeds the number of available spots. To manage high interest, IRCC runs a random draw system and sends invitations to selected candidates from the pool.

What This Means for Workers

The extension gives young workers more stability. Many IEC participants build careers, gain Canadian work experience and support local businesses. The in-country processing option removes travel costs and reduces disruption.

Officials have not indicated when they may review the policy again. For now, eligible IEC participants can continue their Canadian experience without packing their bags.