Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
How eligibility is decided
Your country or territory must have a youth mobility agreement with Canada, and some countries allow you to take part once while others allow twice in different categories (IRCC). IEC lets participants travel and work in Canada for up to 2 years (IRCC).
On the eligibility by country page the age rule reads "between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive)" for most entries, and 18 and 30 or 18 and 29 for others.
| Category | Permit | Job offer needed |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday | Open work permit | No |
| Young Professionals | Employer-specific | Yes, TEER 0 to 3 (TEER 4 if in your field) |
| International Co-op (Internship) | Employer-specific | Yes, linked to your studies |
When a test might matter later
Canadian work experience gained on IEC can matter for later permanent residence routes such as Express Entry, which have their own minimum CLB levels. See IELTS for Canada Express Entry.
Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the IRCC International Experience Canada pages before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.
Need a CLB score for Canada?
IRCC accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core, not IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. Practise the test you will actually sit, free.
Free IELTS General practice →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Fees and documents
All participants must pay the IEC fee if they are invited to apply for an IEC work permit, and there could be additional fees depending on work and travel experience, IRCC says.
Any documents you provide must be translated into English or French. That is the only language rule on IRCC's IEC overview page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IELTS for the Young Professionals category?+
No language test is listed. The job must count toward your professional development, usually TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Can I use IEC with a refugee travel document?+
No. IRCC says holders of a refugee travel document from any country are not eligible.
What is the IEC age limit?+
It depends on your country: 18 to 35, 18 to 30 or 18 to 29 inclusive on IRCC's country list.
Do I need a medical exam?+
For some jobs, IRCC says, for example in Working Holiday.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Canada Express Entry
- Australian 417 Working Holiday and English
- NZ working holiday visas that need IELTS
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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