Good-ish News: No More Flagpoling* for IEC Permits, *only until December 1 and *only if you meet the eligibility requirements.

If you’re currently in Canada under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and have received a new approval, there’s good news. You no longer need to leave the country or “flagpole” to activate your new Working Holiday or Young Professionals permit.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now allows eligible IEC participants to request their new permits by mail—making the process easier, safer, and more convenient.

 

Who Can Apply from Within Canada?

Not everyone is eligible to receive their IEC work permit by mail. IRCC has outlined three conditions you must meet:

  • You were physically in Canada with a valid IEC work permit when you submitted your new IEC application.
  • You currently hold a valid Letter of Introduction (also called a POE or Port of Entry letter).
  • You still have legal status in Canada when you make the request.

Important: Your POE letter must still be valid when you submit the request. If it expires before you act, you may lose eligibility.

If you meet these criteria, here’s how to proceed with your request.

 

How to Request Your New Permit by Mail

To receive your work permit by mail, you must submit a formal request through IRCC’s Web Form. Here’s what you need to do:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  • Go to the IRCC Web Form.
  • Under “What did you apply for?” , select ” Temporary Residence.”
  • Under “What application did you submit?”, choose “International Experience Canada.”
  • In the message box, include the mandatory wording (explained below).
  • Attach the following documents:
    • Proof of valid health insurance for the entire duration of your stay.
    • A copy of your previous IEC work permit.
    • Your Letter of Introduction showing it’s still valid.

It’s important to follow the instructions exactly to avoid delays.

What to Include in Your IRCC Request

IRCC requires that your message include specific language depending on your IEC category (Working Holiday or Young Professionals).

For All IEC Participants:

Be sure to include this wording in your message:

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 received my POE letter of introduction and it is valid until [DATE].

My current contact information in Canada is as follows:
Telephone:
Mailing address:
Residential address:

If You Are in the Working Holiday Category:

Add this line to confirm your situation:

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.

If You Are in the Young Professionals or Co-op Category:

Include this instead:

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.

Why This Matters for Working Holiday Participants

This update from IRCC helps IEC participants stay compliant without unnecessary travel or border visits.

Key benefits include:

  • Avoids the need for flagpoling (re-entering Canada at a border)
  • Reduces travel expenses and planning stress
  • Helps ensure legal status and continuous employment
  • Allows applicants to activate new permits without risking delays

Important: This process is only available until December 1, 2025. After that, IRCC may revise or withdraw the option.

Next Steps: What You Should Do Now

If you’re holding a new POE letter and still have valid status in Canada, take the following steps now:

  • Review your current permit and POE letter expiry date
  • Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements
  • Prepare and submit your request via the IRCC Web Form
  • Attach all required documents and use the proper language based on your IEC category

How We Can Help

The rules around IEC permits can be confusing—especially with updates like this. At Dr. Joe’s Immigration Consulting, we help Working Holiday and Young Professional participants navigate every stage of the process.

We’ll take the guesswork out of the process for you. Contact Dr. Joe’s Immigration Consulting today to ensure your new IEC permit is processed correctly—especially before the December 1, 2025 deadline.