The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a fantastic pathway for young people from partner countries to live, work, and travel in Canada. But for dual citizens—individuals holding passports from two IEC-participating countries—the rules around discontinuance periods and repeat participations can be a bit confusing.
We asked IRCC directly how the discontinuance rules apply to dual nationals, and the response brings welcome clarity.
What Is a Discontinuance Requirement?
Some countries in the IEC program allow more than one participation, but they impose a mandatory break between participations. This is referred to as a discontinuance period.
Let’s take a look at how this works for a few countries:
Croatia
✔ Allows two participations under the bilateral agreement
✔ Repeat participation in the same category is allowed
✔ Requires a 3-month break between participationsPoland
✔ Allows two participations under the bilateral agreement
✘ Repeat participation in the same category is not allowed
✔ Requires a 6-month break between participationsAustralia & Ireland
✔ Permit a single 24-month Working Holiday participation
✘ No second participation is permitted under their agreements
✘ No discontinuance requirement applies (since there is only one participation allowed)
Common Question: What if You Have Dual Citizenship?
Let’s say you’re a dual citizen and you've already used one IEC participation under one passport. Can you switch to your second nationality and participate again—without having to wait out a discontinuance period?
Examples:
Scenario 1: Ireland + Croatia
You complete a 24-month Working Holiday under your Irish passport (no break required).
You now want to apply for a second IEC participation under your Croatian passport, either as another Working Holiday or in a different category.
Scenario 2: Australia + Poland
You complete a 24-month Working Holiday under your Australian passport.
You want to apply under your Polish passport for your first Polish IEC participation (e.g., in the Young Professionals category).
IRCC’s Clarification on Dual Citizens
We contacted IRCC to clarify how the discontinuance rule applies in these scenarios. Here's what they said:
“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada interprets IEC discontinuance requirements as applying to consecutive applications under the same youth mobility arrangement or agreement.
An applicant who is applying to benefit under a youth mobility agreement with a discontinuance requirement would only be subject to the requirement if they are applying for a second or subsequent participation under the same agreement (i.e., using the same passport).”
Translation:
If you're switching passports (and therefore agreements), your participation is treated as new under the second country’s agreement—even if you previously participated in IEC using another citizenship.
What This Means for Dual Citizens
✅ You don’t need to wait out a discontinuance period when switching from one passport to another, even if the second country’s agreement normally requires it—because it's your first time participating under that agreement.
✅ Croatia: You may use your Croatian passport to apply immediately after finishing your Irish IEC, even though Croatia normally requires a 3-month break between participations.
✅ Poland: You may use your Polish passport to apply immediately after completing your Australian IEC, even though Poland normally requires a 6-month break—because it would be your first participation under the Canada–Poland agreement.
However, keep in mind that Poland does not allow repeat participation in the same category, so if you plan to do a second IEC under your Polish passport, it must be in a different category than your first one under that passport.
Pro Tips for Dual Nationals
Plan strategically: If you qualify under two countries, it’s smart to use the country with more flexible participation rules first.
Track your participations separately: Each IEC participation is tied to the passport you used—so keep records of entry letters and passports used.
Consult with an RCIC if you’re unsure about eligibility, timing, or choosing the right category for your second participation.
Final Thoughts
Dual citizenship can offer incredible flexibility under IEC—but it’s essential to understand each country's agreement terms. Thanks to IRCC's clarification, we now know that discontinuance periods only apply if you're applying again under the same agreement/passport. If you’re switching to a new passport, it’s considered a fresh start.
Still not sure how this applies to your situation?
Feel free to book a consultation and get expert guidance tailored to your case.