Canada launches new facilitated work permit pathways for Taiwanese and Portuguese youths

Canada has launched two new work permit pathways for youth from Portugal and Taiwan, under the “Young Professionals” stream of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

These are:

• The Young Professionals Taiwanese Global Pathfinder Initiative (TGPI) pathway (for Taiwanese nationals); and
• The Young Professionals Inov Contacto pathway (For Portuguese nationals).

Schedule a Free IEC Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Youth from these two countries can now benefit from facilitated employer-specific work permits under the Young Professionals stream, provided they meet new eligibility criteria.

Portuguese and Taiwanese nationals can also continue to apply for work permits under the standard criteria for the Young Professionals stream (as well as other IEC work permit streams).

A quick summary of both new pathways can be found here:

Program name	Eligible countries	Eligible age group	Type of work permit	Maximum work permit validity period
Young Professionals Inov Contacto	Portugal	18 to 29 years	Employer-specific	24 months
Young Professionals TGPI Program	Taiwan	18 to 30 years	Employer-specific	12 months

Note that both Taiwanese and Portuguese nationals may only participate in the IEC once, under their bilateral agreements with Canada.

Inov Contacto (Portuguese nationals)

The Young Professionals Inov Contacto pathway is a new employer-specific work permit pathway that facilitates international nine-month internships for Portuguese youth (18-29).

Internships will be with companies that are carefully selected by the Inov Contacto program, with AICEP Portugal covering all costs associated with the internship, including return travel, insurance, and living expenses in Canada.

At this time, AICEP has not made public which Canadian companies are part of the Inov Contacto program.

In addition to being enrolled in the Inov Contacto program and receiving an offer of internship from an eligible company, Portuguese nationals aged 18– 29 must meet the following conditions to receive a work permit through the Young Professionals Inov Contacto pathway:

• Hold a valid Portuguese passport for the full length of their stay in Canada;
  • The Canadian work permit cannot be valid longer than the passport.
• Have a signed job offer or employment contract in Canada;
  • The job must be in the applicant’s field of expertise through education or work experience.
  • The job must contribute to the applicant’s professional development.
• Have at least $2,500 to help cover expenses in Canada;
• Have health insurance for the full duration of the stay;
  • May need to show proof of insurance when entering Canada.
  • If working in Quebec, any Quebec health coverage must be supplemented with insurance that includes repatriation.
• Have a round-trip ticket before departure, or enough money to buy a departure ticket at the end of the authorized stay;
• Must not be accompanied by dependents;
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada; and
• Must pay the required fees.

Taiwanese Global Pathfinder Initiative Program (Taiwanese nationals)

The TGPI is a program administered by the Taiwanese Youth Development Administration (YDA) to help strengthen international connections and foster innovation and growth across Taiwan’s industries.

Youth (aged 18– 30) who have either graduated from specific fields of study, or who have gained relevant professional experience as designated by the YDA, are eligible to participate in this program. The YDA will cover all round-trip airfare, living expenses, and medical insurance costs.

The YDA has not publicly published which fields of study or professional experience will be chosen for Taiwanese youth working in Canada, at the time of this writing.

In addition to working or studying in a YDA-approved field, Taiwanese youth aged 18– 30 hoping to apply under the Young Professionals TGPI program need to meet the following conditions:

• Hold a valid Taiwanese passport for the full length of their stay in Canada;
  • The passport must include the applicant’s personal identification number.
  • The Canadian work permit cannot be valid longer than the passport.
• Have a signed job offer or employment contract in Canada;
  • The job must be in the applicant’s field of expertise through education or work experience.
  • The job must contribute to the applicant’s professional development.
• Have at least $2,500 to help cover expenses in Canada;
• Have health insurance for the full duration of the stay.
  • May need to show proof of insurance when entering Canada.
• Have a round-trip ticket before departure, or enough money to buy a departure ticket at the end of the authorized stay;
• Must not be inadmissible to Canada;
• Must not be accompanied by dependents; and
• Pay the required fees.

About the IEC program

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a reciprocal youth mobility work permit program that allows international youth to travel and work in Canada, while also giving Canadians aged 18 to 35 the opportunity to work and travel abroad through partner countries and territories.

The IEC includes three work permit streams: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship).

The program is based on youth mobility agreements between Canada and partner countries and territories, which create reciprocal opportunities for youth in both directions.

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s country or territory of citizenship and the terms of that youth mobility agreement with Canada. In general, participants must come from a country or territory that has an agreement with Canada and be between 18 and 35 years of age, although some agreements set the upper age limit at 30. Category-specific rules also apply, including job-offer and study requirements for certain streams.

Schedule a Free IEC Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm