Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy that allows certain International Experience Canada (IEC) participants already in Canada to receive subsequent IEC work permits from within the country. This is not a new program, but rather a continuation of a policy first introduced in spring 2024 to facilitate in-Canada processing for eligible participants.
The extension follows federal restrictions on “flagpoling,” which came into effect on December 23, 2024. Flagpoling refers to the practice of leaving Canada briefly – often by crossing into the United States or travelling to St. Pierre and Miquelon – and re-entering to obtain immigration services at a port of entry. Since that date, most temporary residents have not been able to obtain new work or study permits at the border through flagpoling, except in limited circumstances identified by the government.
When the in-Canada processing measure was first introduced in 2024, it was intended as a temporary facilitation measure. It was initially set to expire on December 1, 2025. On February 10, 2026, IRCC extended the policy, and it now remains in effect until further notice. As reported by CanadaVisa and other immigration news sources, this extension continues to provide eligible IEC participants with a mechanism to receive repeat work permits without leaving Canada.
Mandatory Submission Text (Text 1)
IEC applicants in Canada who are requesting examination and issuance of their new work permit from within the country must include the following statement in their online IRCC account:
“A112025: I am requesting an A11 examination and the issuance of my work permit from within Canada. My application number is [W#########]. I submitted my IEC application on [date]. I have received my IEC POE letter of introduction, which is valid until [date].
My current contact information in Canada is:
Telephone: [phone number]
Mailing address: [address]
Residential address: [address]”
This statement confirms that the applicant is requesting an examination under section A11 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and provides updated contact information.
Additional Required Statement (Text 2)
Applicants must also include one of the following statements, depending on their IEC category:
For Young Professionals and International Co-op participants:
“Employer-specific work permit: My employer, [name], located at [address], may be contacted at [contact telephone or email] to confirm my continued employment offer. I intend to begin work for this employer as soon as my work permit is received.”
For Working Holiday participants:
“Open work permit: I attest that my circumstances remain the same and I still meet the requirements of the open work permit program I was approved for.”
These declarations assist IRCC in confirming continued eligibility under the applicable IEC stream.
IEC participants should ensure that the required text is included exactly as instructed and that all personal and employer information is accurate. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays.
Conclusion
The extension of this temporary public policy continues to provide a structured in-Canada pathway for eligible IEC participants seeking subsequent work permits. While the underlying program has not changed, applicants must follow IRCC’s updated procedural instructions carefully. Including the required declarations and maintaining accurate information remain essential to ensure timely processing and continued authorization to work in Canada.
Jain Immigration Law
Toronto, Ontario
www.jainimmigrationlaw.com
416-548-5533
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration programs and selection criteria may change, and each situation is unique.