IEC Travel Insurance
for Working Holidays in Canada
Last updated: September 2026
|
IEC Insurance - Quotes Calculator
|
International Experience Canada program, or simply IEC, is available to eligible young adults from participating countries and territories, with age limits and program options varying by citizenship.
IEC gives eligible participants the opportunity to work and travel in Canada while gaining international experience.
IEC / Working Holiday Travel Insurance provides emergency medical coverage for International Experience Canada participants while they live, work and travel in Canada.
Before arriving in Canada, IEC participants must have insurance covering their entire intended stay, including medical care, hospitalization and repatriation.
IEC / Working Holiday travel insurance MUST:
– Be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay
– Cover emergency medical care, hospitalization and repatriation
– Be available for review by a POE officer at the Canadian border
Depending on the plan, additional advantages may include:
- Local claims support: Working with a Canadian insurer can simplify communication and claims assistance while you are in Canada.
- Emergency medical coverage: Plans include coverage for eligible emergency medical care and hospitalization, along with repatriation benefits required for IEC participants.
- Recreational activities: Many plans already include coverage for common recreational sports and activities.
- Direct billing assistance: In some cases, the insurer or assistance provider may be able to arrange direct payment with a hospital or medical facility, reducing the amount you need to pay upfront.
- Canadian-based assistance: You can access support from companies familiar with the Canadian healthcare system rather than relying solely on an overseas provider.
At Arbetov Insurance, you can compare IEC travel insurance options from Canadian insurers and choose coverage that matches the length of your intended stay and your individual needs.
If your IEC participation allows you to stay in Canada for up to 24 months, your health insurance must be valid for the entire period you intend to stay when you arrive in Canada.
IRCC recommends purchasing one insurance policy covering the full length of your work permit. However, if a single policy for the entire period is not available, two consecutive policies are also accepted, provided they offer continuous coverage with no gap between them.
For a two-year stay, this can mean arranging two consecutive 365-day policies. Together, the policies must provide the required coverage for medical care, hospitalization and repatriation throughout your intended stay in Canada.
It is important to have coverage for the full period before arriving. If your insurance expires earlier than your intended stay, your IEC work permit may be issued only until the insurance expiry date.
Purchasing additional insurance afterward generally will not allow you to extend a work permit that was shortened because of insufficient insurance coverage at entry.
Make sure the plan includes the medical care, hospitalization and repatriation coverage required for IEC participants.
Confirm that the policy dates, coverage period and selected benefits match your travel plans and personal circumstances.
If you need coverage for a two-year IEC stay or help comparing available options, contact us for assistance.
Coverage varies by insurer and plan, but IEC insurance options typically include the following emergency medical benefits.
– Emergency Medical Care
– Hospitalization
– Repatriation
– Ground and Air Ambulance
– Emergency Dental Repair
– Dental Pain Relief
– Recreational Sports Injuries
– Prescription Medications
– Laboratory Diagnostics
– Eligible Paramedical Services (such as chiropractic or osteopathic treatment)
– Services of a Registered Nurse
– Rental or Purchase of Medical Equipment
For a detailed description of benefits, limits and exclusions, please review the Policy Wording of the insurance plan you select.
International Experience Canada (IEC) allows eligible young adults from participating countries and territories to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
Check your country or territory on the official IRCC IEC eligibility page for the latest requirements and available program categories.
– Working Holiday:
The Working Holiday category is designed for participants who want the flexibility to travel and work while staying in Canada. It generally provides an open work permit, allowing eligible participants to work for different employers and in different locations.
– Young Professionals:
The Young Professionals category is intended for participants who have a qualifying job offer in Canada that contributes to their professional development. Participants generally receive an employer-specific work permit.
– International Co-op Internship:
The International Co-op category is available to eligible post-secondary students who have a work placement or internship in Canada related to their field of study and required as part of their academic program.
The International Experience Canada application process varies by citizenship and IEC category, but generally follows these steps:
1. Create Your IEC Profile
Check that you meet the eligibility requirements for your country and IEC category, then create and submit an online profile to enter the appropriate IEC pool. If selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for an IEC work permit.
2. Accept Your Invitation and Apply
Once you receive an ITA, you have 10 days to accept or decline it.
After accepting the invitation, you have 20 days to complete and submit your work permit application, supporting documents and applicable fees.
Biometrics or additional documents may also be required.
For the 2026 IEC season, the participation fee is $184.75 CAD. Working Holiday applicants must also pay a $100 open work permit holder fee, while an $85 biometrics fee may apply. Fees are subject to change, so always confirm current amounts with IRCC before applying.
For Young Professionals and International Co-op applicants, the employer must generally pay a $230 employer compliance fee and submit the offer of employment before the work permit application is submitted.
3. Receive Your Port of Entry Letter
If your work permit application is approved, IRCC will issue a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction.
This letter confirms that your application has been approved, but your actual IEC work permit is issued when you enter Canada and meet the entry requirements.
Before travelling, arrange IEC / Working Holiday Travel Insurance for your entire intended stay in Canada. Your policy must include medical care, hospitalization and repatriation coverage.
4. Arrive in Canada
When entering Canada, be prepared to show the border services officer your passport, POE Letter, proof of health insurance, proof of sufficient funds and a departure ticket or enough money to purchase one.
If you meet the entry requirements, the border services officer will issue your IEC work permit.
If your insurance covers a shorter period than your intended stay, your work permit may be limited to the expiry date of your insurance policy.
IEC eligibility, fees and application procedures can change. Check the official IRCC website for the latest program requirements before applying.
View the official list of International Experience Canada questions – IEC FAQ
A: IEC participants must have qualifying health insurance for their entire intended stay in Canada before they arrive. The policy must cover medical care, hospitalization and repatriation.
You may be asked to provide proof of insurance when entering Canada and may be refused entry if you do not have adequate coverage. IEC eligibility and permitted lengths of stay vary by citizenship and program category, so check your country-specific eligibility with IRCC.
Even if you become eligible for a provincial health plan during your stay, you still need insurance that meets all IEC requirements for the required period.
A: No. IRCC does not require IEC insurance to be purchased from a Canadian insurer. The policy must meet IEC requirements, including coverage for medical care, hospitalization and repatriation for your entire intended stay.
Choosing a Canadian insurance provider may offer practical advantages such as local assistance and access to plans designed specifically for visitors and temporary residents in Canada. Claims procedures and direct billing options vary by insurer and policy.
A: Depending on the province or territory, your work permit, employment and length of stay, you may become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
Eligibility rules vary across Canada, so check the requirements of the province or territory where you will live. Keep in mind that provincial health coverage does not include the repatriation coverage required under IEC.
A: Many IEC / Working Holiday insurance plans cover eligible recreational sports injuries, including activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Certain competitive, professional or higher-risk activities may be excluded or subject to additional conditions, so review the Policy Wording for the plan you select or contact our advisors if you participate in a particular sport.
A: Many IEC / Working Holiday insurance plans provide coverage for eligible side trips outside Canada, provided Canada remains your primary destination and the policy’s conditions are met.
Coverage outside Canada, including travel to your country of permanent residence, varies by insurer and plan. Review the Policy Wording before travelling to confirm where and for how long your coverage applies.
A: Address requirements vary by insurer. Some applications may request a Canadian address, but you may still be able to arrange your coverage before you have a permanent address in Canada.
If you have not yet arranged your accommodation or are unsure which address to provide on your application, contact our insurance advisors for assistance.
IRCC recommends purchasing one policy for the full duration. If one policy covering the entire period is not available, two consecutive policies can be used instead.
If your insurance expires before the end of your intended stay, your work permit may be issued only until the insurance expiry date and generally cannot later be extended simply because you purchased additional insurance.
If you were unable to find what you were looking for, visit our General FAQ for more information or contact our advisors for assistance.
Her instructions were clear; she cleared all our doubts and the process was very quick.
I can’t recommend Arbetov enough - Even using on-line messaging over different time zones, my customer service experience was excellent.
If you’re looking for a really good service and unbeatable rates for IEC health insurance - these are the guys to use!
Thank you Lea for all your help x
