On December 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a significant program delivery update affecting the International Experience Canada (IEC) program under R204(d) – C21 (Reciprocity) of the International Mobility Program.

These revised instructions are intended to improve consistency, compliance, and operational clarity for IRCC officers and border services officers, and are posted on IRCC’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.

Key Changes to IEC Program Instructions

The updated guidance introduces clarifications and procedural improvements across several core areas of IEC processing and work permit issuance.

Role of Border Services Officers

The update clarifies the responsibilities of border services officers at ports of entry, particularly in relation to IEC work permit issuance and verification.

Immigration Medical Examinations

Revised instructions provide clearer guidance on when immigration medical examinations are required, helping ensure consistent application across cases.

Dependants and Passport Validity

The instructions include additional clarity regarding:

• The treatment of dependants under the IEC program
• Passport validity requirements, including how validity affects work permit issuance

Police Certificates and Processing Delays

IRCC has updated its guidance on police certificates, including:

• How officers should manage delays in receiving police certificates
• What supporting documents may be requested when further clarification is required

Best Practices for Work Permit Issuance

The revised instructions introduce enhanced best practices, including:

• Stronger verification procedures
• Improved record management in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
• More efficient processes for reissuing and correcting work permits

Departmental Reorganization Updates

Sector roles and responsibilities have been updated to reflect recent departmental reorganization, ensuring internal alignment with current operational structures.

Changes to Country Eligibility and Program Details

The update also includes notable changes affecting eligibility and specific participant categories:

• Ukraine and Mexico have been removed from the list of eligible IEC countries, aligning the program with current policy directions
• A correction to the validity period has been made for Australian International Co-op applicants
• Dutch post-secondary students may now submit an official letter from their educational institution confirming that TEER 4 employment is related to their field of study

Why This Update Matters

These revisions represent one of the more comprehensive IEC instruction updates in recent years. By clarifying officer roles, strengthening verification practices, and addressing recurring operational issues such as police certificate delays and permit corrections, IRCC aims to improve both program integrity and processing consistency.

Stakeholders working with IEC applicants should review these changes carefully to ensure applications align with the updated guidance and expectations.