Canada and South Korea’s new agreement revolves around supporting youth with more work prospects.
The signing of a new Canada-South Korea Youth Mobility Arrangement came into existence on May 23rd, 2023, by Ali Ehsassi, Member of Parliament for Willowdale, on behalf of the Honorable Sean Fraser.
Canada and South Korea’s new agreement
Through International Experience Canada or its South Korean equivalent, young people from the two nations will have additional possibilities when applying for international jobs and travel opportunities in each other’s respective countries.
The revised agreement includes changes from the 1995-created memorandum of understanding, including:
- From 18 to 35, the eligibility age will rise.
- To complement the current Working Holiday category, two other streams—International Co-op (Internship) and Young Professionals—will also develop.
The new agreement will become effective in 2024, according to the Canadian government. The two nations have inked a new youth mobility agreement as Canada and South Korea commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year. In the modern global economy, international experience and viewpoints are incredibly crucial. The Canadian government continues to support and develop reciprocal agreements. Sean Fraser stated. It is an effort to encourage Canadian and foreign youth to work and travel in each other’s countries.
International Experience Canada
The IEC is a reciprocal program that enables young people from Canada and other countries to live and travel in each other’s nations. Thirty-six nations and overseas territories have signed youth mobility agreements with Canada.
The LMIA requirement does not apply to work permits issued under the IEC. Three categories make up the program:
- Participants in the Working Holiday program can access an unrestricted work visa. This visa enables them to work virtually anywhere within the host nation to fund their travels.
- International Co-op (Internship) participants acquire a company-specific work visa, enabling them to gain specialized experience related to their subject of study.
- Participants in the Young Professionals program receive a work permit. Furthermore, it is tailored to their employer so they can get professional experience relevant to their studies or career goals.
The eligibility requirements -IEC
- Own a passport and be a citizen of one of the nations mentioned above or a resident of one of those territories with which Canada signed a bilateral youth mobility agreement;
- Possess a valid passport for the entire period of their stay in Canada. The length of the work permit issued will not exceed the duration of the passport;
- Age at the time of applying to be between 18 and 30 or 35 (the maximum age varies on the applicant’s country of citizenship);
- Able to enter Canada;
- Upon arrival, have $2,500 CAN on hand to aid with early expenses;
- Being able to purchase health insurance for the duration of their stay (participants could be required to provide proof of this insurance at the Canadian border);
- Able to enter Canada;
- Have a round-trip ticket before leaving or the money to buy one for when their visa-permitted stay in Canada expires, are not traveling with dependents.
- Pay the necessary fees.
The Expression of Interest or Invitation to Apply mechanism helps IEC to function. Overall, candidates with qualifications create an IEC profile. However, they can’t apply until they have an ITA.
