The Canadian Government announced that the first round of working holiday visa application process for the year is set to open to Irish citizens on 14 April 2015.
Notably, 7,700 International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday permits is allocated for 2015. The permits will enable Irish citizens less than 35 years of age and their dependent children to reside as well as work in the nation for a maximum period of two years.
Reportedly, the total number of visas will be divided into two rounds. A total of 3,850 permits will be granted in the first round and 3,850 will be issued in the second round. The demand for the IEC working holiday visas among Ireland applicants has increased during the recent years, with first round was filled within seven minutes and the second round within half an hour.
It has to be mentioned here that applicants should hold their documentations ready prior the system opens. Further details can be found on the Irish Canadian Immigration Centre’s guide to the IEC.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada will announce the opening time of the first round. Additionally, 2,500 “young professional” IEC permits will be given to Irish citizens holding a valid job offer before entering the country. The application system for these visas is opened on 5 March 2015 and has taken only 91 till date.
Apparently, students who have enrolled full time with an arranged internship can file an application for any of the 500 “international co-op” permits, and only 5 of them have been granted so far.
According to sources, the IEC program that was started in 2003 to boos the cultural exchange between Canada and Ireland has become more popular during recent times.
