Newsletter
Join the Community
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and updates
If you’re preparing to apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program with your spouse or partner, you’re not alone. Many couples—whether newly graduated, working, or planning to build a future together—see IEC as a great way to live and work in Canada side by side.
2025/05/07
It sounds simple: you both apply, get approved, and start your adventure together. But the truth is, IEC is not designed for joint applications, and overlooking that can lead to stress, delays, and legal complications. Before you apply, it’s important to understand how the system works and what options are actually available for couples and families.
IEC is part of Canada’s youth mobility agreements, created to offer international young adults the chance to travel and work in Canada. It is not structured to support couples, common-law partners, or families.
Each application is handled independently. There is no way to apply jointly or include a spouse or dependent under one IEC profile. If both partners want to participate, they must each meet all eligibility criteria, submit separate profiles, and apply individually. Even if you plan to travel and live in Canada together, immigration officers will assess your applications separately with no special consideration for your relationship.
Couples can apply for IEC at the same time, but they must qualify on their own. This means each person must be from a participating country, be within the age limit, show proof of funds and insurance, and meet other program requirements.
Even if you apply at the same time, your timelines will likely differ. Each applicant is placed in their own country’s pool, and invitations are issued randomly. One partner may receive an ITA quickly while the other could wait months—or never get drawn at all. There’s no guarantee of synchronized approvals, which often leads couples to face staggered arrivals and separation while waiting.
If only one person is approved under IEC, the other cannot be added to the work permit. Unlike other work permit programs, IEC does not allow for accompanying spouses or dependents.
Some couples explore applying for a spousal open work permit (SOWP) after one partner is approved. This may be possible only if the IEC participant secures full-time, high-skilled employment in Canada (classified under NOC 0, A, or B). Even then, the partner must apply for the SOWP separately, and approval is not guaranteed. Documentation proving the job and the relationship will be required, and processing timelines can vary.
It is a common mistake to assume one IEC permit covers both partners, which can result in one person being left without status or the ability to work in Canada.
Each IEC applicant must apply independently and meet all eligibility requirements without relying on their partner’s status. There is no joint profile or shared submission process, and both partners must demonstrate financial readiness and valid health insurance.
IEC is not intended as a bridging solution for those whose PGWP or other permits are expiring. Once your current status ends, you are not legally allowed to work unless a new work permit has been issued. Applying for IEC while continuing to work without authorization can lead to serious consequences, including a six-month ban or, in more serious cases, a five-year ban for misrepresentation. You can read more on this in our related post on PGWP to IEC: How to Apply Without Getting Banned from Canada.
If your IEC application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction—not the permit itself. You must leave Canada and re-enter to activate the permit. Flagpoling may not be accepted in all cases, so international travel may be required to finalize your work status.
When both partners are IEC-eligible, it’s important to apply early and prepare for different outcomes. Applying near the beginning of the draw season improves your chances of selection, but even then, one partner may be left waiting.
If only one partner qualifies or is selected, the other can explore alternatives like a study permit, visitor record, or a future spousal open work permit—once the IEC participant secures eligible employment in Canada. For couples with different citizenships, it’s important to understand how country-specific quotas and draw frequencies may affect your application timelines. In cases where one partner is from a non-partner country, applying through a Recognized Organization may be the only route.
Being flexible and prepared with a backup plan is essential. The IEC program does not guarantee joint success or synchronized approvals, and trying to bypass the process often leads to legal and logistical challenges.
IEC offers a valuable opportunity to gain Canadian experience, but it isn’t structured for couples or families. Many applicants each year unknowingly work without status, misinterpret spousal options, or apply too late—often resulting in refusals or entry bans.
🎯 Bottom line: The IEC process is manageable—with the right plan. Make sure yours is solid before you take the next step.
