No, IEC deletes all profiles from one season to the other. So, if you would like to participate under RO for the next season, you will need to create a new IEC profile from zero once new IEC Season pools open.
Since 2015, Stepwest has been a Recognized Organization (RO) under International Experience Canada (IEC); a status given by  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Every year we are able to offer IEC RO Programs for participants from IEC countries.
We opened our RO Waiting List for IEC 2025 Season on Friday July 19th 2024 at 09:00am (PDT), so the number of applications we have received are significantly higher than spots available. Once you are part of the waiting list, you will only be contacted if our team can assist you during IEC 2025 Season. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee that you will be contacted, nor assisted by Stepwest. We have a limited RO quota, therefore we will not be able to help every single applicant.
As a Recognized Organization (RO) by the Government of Canada, we receive a limited annual quota for IEC RO work permits to help eligible international youth participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program for the first time or under repeat participation.
We are able to help participants that hold a passport from any of the IEC countries that currently have a Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada to secure the following work permit categories:
Please keep in mind that the duration of your work permit under RO status will follow the Youth Mobility Agreement with your country of citizenship and Canada or in default the max. duration agreed between us, as a Recognized Organization and IEC.
In order to apply for any of our IEC RO Programs, you will need to meet the following requirements:
We offer limited spots for First Participation and Repeat Participation applicants under International Experience Canada.
*Important: We can’t help citizens from non-IEC countries.
You’ve probably guessed it, but First Participation is for participants that have never been able to secure an invitation or those who activated their IEC work permit but needed to leave Canada way sooner than planned. Please see some examples below:
So, you want to stay in Canada, eh? We don’t blame you! Repeat Participation is for applicants that have previously participated in IEC and want to secure a new IEC work permit. Examples:
Important for in-Canada applicants: If you are currently in Canada, to qualify for Repeat Participation you must have a valid status. Please note that IEC work permits can not be extended, so if your IEC work permit is about to expire, you must apply for an extension as a visitor – this is essential!
A new IEC work permit application, even under RO status, will not provide you with maintained status during processing (previously called implied status).
You must wait for us to open registrations for the IEC season. Each Season the requirements or opening date for our waiting list can change, so keep an eye on this page for updates.
For you to have a general idea, this is how we normally accept applications. We do not assign spots first come first severed. We review the profiles first!
We must be able to see your experience, so get your resume ready with relevant information. This includes your current address, education, work experience and contact details.
Important – Please make sure your resume include City & Country for each work experience and education. You should include all your experiences and locations since you are 18 years old.
Once our Waiting List opens for the Season, submit your application under the right program (RO Working Holiday or RO Young Professional) so you can automatically join our waiting list.
We will carefully review applications and if you match the requirements and our quota per country, we will contact you to arrange an online meeting to discuss details.
We can NOT reach out to all the participants that show interest in our RO program, so you will need to allow us some time to review your case.
If successful, we will be reaching out to you by email. Please note that joining our waiting list does not mean we will be offering you a RO spot for IEC Season. You do not have to pay to join our waiting list.
We do not ask you for payment until we are sure we can help you, which is why we will first meet all our participants.
Only after that meeting, and after providing the required information, will you receive official confirmation of acceptance into the program and can get started.
Please note that we opened our RO Waiting List for IEC 2025 Season on Friday July 19th 2024 at 09:00am (PDT) Vancouver, BC Time, so the number of applications we have received are significantly higher than spots available. Once you are part of the waiting list, you will only be contacted if our team can assist you during IEC 2025 Season. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee that you will be contacted, nor assisted by Stepwest. We have a limited RO quota, therefore we will not be able to help every single applicant – we wish we could!
No, IEC deletes all profiles from one season to the other. So, if you would like to participate under RO for the next season, you will need to create a new IEC profile from zero once new IEC Season pools open.
Try again! The regulation changed during IEC 2023. If you could not travel to Canada before your POE letter expired in the past, it doesn’t count as a participation anymore. So apply again under regular IEC, you don’t need a RO anymore.
Example: You are from the Australia and you had an approved Working Holiday (POE) before the pandemic but never applied for an extension, losing your opportunity to enjoy a working holiday in Canada. If you apply under regular IEC, now you will be you will be approved!
You will know you have been selected if you receive a meeting request from our team by email.
Joining our waiting list is completely free, but joining our waiting list does not mean that we will be reaching out to offer you a RO spot. If you email us to get an update on your application, unfortunately we will not be able to respond given the high number of applications.
Yes. As with regular IEC, when you apply under RO status, you will get 12 months to activate your RO IEC permit after you receive your approval. You must have a valid status in Canada to be eligible for this permit, so this is perfect timing for you to secure your RO IEC work permit!
No, processing times are exactly the same as the regular IEC. The benefit of applying under RO status is that your invitation to apply (ITA) is guaranteed and we will give you access to a permit, that otherwise, you might not be eligible for.
Yes, we will allow participants that used an RO in the past to participate in our IEC RO Program again. We could not do this in the past seasons, but we will be offering it again.
No, it will not. When you apply under a RO the discontinuance requirement does not apply, as per the IRCC website.
Example: You are from Poland, and the regulation under your Working Holiday permit says that you must wait six months to apply again under IEC. This will not apply under our IEC RO Program, as we will be able to help you right away!Â
From IEC 2024 Season onwards, as under regular IEC, you must still provide a mailing address in your home country, as per the IRCC website.
35 years old, no matter your nationality. As long as you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA) before your 36th birthday, we can help you! Even if under regular IEC you are only eligible until 30 years old.
Example: You are from Japan, Sweden or New Zealand, where the age limit is 30 years old. If you apply with a Recognized Organization, the age limit will be 35 years old instead.
Yes, as long as you submit a truthful application, and submit all the required documents by the Government of Canada. Exactly like a regular IEC work permit application.
This is why we do a one-to-one meeting with all our participants beforehand. We want to make sure you are eligible. But remember that your work permit application will still be reviewed by IRCC, so you must comply with the requirements.
No. You will still need to go through the process. Remember that you will not get maintained status during your RO work permit process, so you should apply for an extension as a visitor, at least 30 days before your current work permit expires. Remember that if you lose your status in Canada, we can not help!
Absolutely not. Maybe you did a working holiday in Canada in your early 20s and now you would like to return in your 30s. That’s fine, we can help!
Only if you are planning to work in very specific jobs that require a medical exam.
The regulation for RO participants under IEC is exactly the same as under regular IEC, so if your country of citizenship requires a medical exam, you will also need it for your RO application or if you are planning to work in a specific field, ask our team! We will be delighted to guide you. Learn more about the medical exam requirements here.
Yes, but you should have a new passport at the time of activation, so you can get the full duration of your work permit.
You can still apply for your RO work permit with your old passport and even get approved, but make sure you start planning in advance so you can get a new passport. This is especially the case if you are currently in Canada, as the process to get a new passport might take longer.
Remember, getting a new passport means that you will need a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Learn more about getting a new passport through the IEC process here.
No, you can not. You still need insurance that covers you for your complete stay. Provincial plans in Canada are not eligible for IEC. Please learn everything about IEC insurance requirements here. This is very important!
Insurance must be valid for the entire period for which the work permit is sought. Participants can present two consecutive healthcare insurance policies if they were not able to purchase one policy to cover the entire length of their work permit.
You might need to! Take a look at this post where we explain everything you need to know about police certificates when applying under International Experience Canada (IEC).
Disclaimer: No Legal Advice Provided.
The material on our website and on this webpage is intended to provide only general information to our clients. Although we make our best efforts to ensure that the information found on our website is accurate and timely, do not, under any circumstances, rely on information found on our website as legal or immigration advice. We can not answer client-specific immigration-related questions or provide any immigration advice. For assistance with your specific inquiry, please contact IEC directly through the IRCC website or contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).