(CANADA) International Experience Canada opened its 2026 season on December 19, 2025, letting eligible young citizens from 36 partner countries start submitting online profiles for a chance at a Canadian work permit. The annual program, known as IEC, is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and feeds thousands of short-term workers into resorts, restaurants, farms and offices across the country.
The program is often the first legal pathway to live in Canada without a long-term job offer, and a common first step toward later study or permanent residence, even though IEC itself is temporary.
How the IEC pools and invitation rounds work
IRCC’s move means the three main pathways are now taking profile submissions into their “pools,” from which invitations to apply (ITAs) are issued in rounds:
- International Experience Canada Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op
IRCC says the first invitation rounds are expected in January 2026, with exact dates and country-by-country pool status posted and updated weekly. Candidates can read the official rules and country eligibility list on IRCC’s IEC site at International Experience Canada.
IRCC updates pool and invitation information on Fridays. Expect the first rounds in January 2026 and weekly updates thereafter.
Differences between the three streams
Working Holiday
- Provides an open work permit allowing the holder to work for almost any employer in Canada.
- Practical freedom: switch between jobs and regions (e.g., ski hill in BC, café in Montreal, seasonal work in Atlantic Canada) without getting a new permit each time.
- Competitiveness: Very high — this pool often fills quickly, especially in popular cities.
- Common destination for those seeking flexibility and short-term work experience.
Young Professionals
- Requires a job offer that supports professional development and matches Canada’s TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 skill levels.
- Leads to an employer-specific permit.
- Competitiveness: Lower than Working Holiday and prioritized in draws.
- Good for employers seeking junior staff with some training and for applicants aiming for career-aligned experience.
International Co-op
- Also employer-specific and intended for students or recent graduates whose internship/co-op is tied to their studies.
- Durations can be shorter; competitiveness varies by country and quota.
- Appeals to candidates wanting a structured placement and a formal internship record.
Core eligibility rules (apply across all three pools)
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of a participating country
- Meet the age range: typically 18 to 35, but 18 to 30 for some countries
- Hold a passport valid for the full stay
- Have private health insurance covering the full time in Canada
- Prove at least $2,500 CAD to cover initial costs
- Hold a round-trip ticket or enough money to buy one
- Meet general admissibility rules, which may include police certificates
- Note: dependents are not allowed under IEC permits
Important operational details and timelines
- New profile required for 2026: Profiles from prior years expire. IRCC requires a brand-new profile for the 2026 season even if someone submitted one for 2025.
- Once a profile is submitted, candidates can enter one or more pools if they qualify. Profiles can remain active across multiple invitation rounds.
- Invitations are issued through random draws from each pool — not strictly first-come, first-served.
- Early entry increases exposure (more chances in draws) but does not guarantee selection.
- VisaVerge.com notes demand spikes at season start, especially for Working Holiday spots in popular cities.
After an ITA, you have 10 days to accept (UTC) and 20 days to submit the complete application. Stay on top of deadlines, and prepare payments (IEC fee and biometrics) to avoid delays.
Deadlines and fees after an Invitation to Apply
When an ITA arrives:
1. Candidates have 10 days to accept the invitation (measured in UTC time).
2. After accepting, they have 20 days to submit the complete work permit application.
Fees:
– IEC fee: $184.75 CAD
– Biometrics (if required): $85 CAD
Processing times vary. Applicants aiming to travel in summer often complete steps early to avoid higher flight and housing costs.
Port of Entry (POE) letter and travel planning
- Approved applicants receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter of introduction, valid for one year.
- The POE letter is not a work permit and does not guarantee entry — it must be presented to a border officer on arrival.
- Many experienced applicants wait for the POE letter before booking nonrefundable travel to avoid scrambling if timelines shift.
Document checks at border and common pitfalls
Officers at the port of entry may ask to see:
– Health insurance valid for the full stay (officer may shorten permit if coverage is shorter)
– Proof of $2,500 CAD funds
– A return ticket or money to buy one
Other considerations:
– Police certificates may be requested, which can delay applications if an applicant has lived in multiple countries.
– Because dependents are barred, families must plan separate statuses — some couples find the IEC window unsuitable.
– Start gathering documents soon after joining a pool to avoid missed deadlines once an ITA arrives.
Important warning: Profiles from prior seasons expire. Assuming an old profile is still valid can cost weeks in early draw periods. Create a new 2026 profile.
Special note for U.S. citizens and duration limits
- U.S. citizens apply through Recognized Organizations rather than the standard IRCC country pools. This often surprises U.S. applicants who see friends from other countries using the IRCC system directly.
- Allowed stays typically range from 12 to 24 months, depending on nationality and category.
- Some countries allow repeat participation with limits determined by bilateral agreements.
Practical impact and human stories
Behind the mechanics are real people making time-sensitive life choices:
- A 24-year-old graduate in Dublin may be trying to get a Working Holiday permit before a lease ends.
- A 29-year-old engineer in Berlin might target the Young Professionals route because a Canadian employer needs them for a year.
- In countries with strict age caps (e.g., Japan), someone turning 31 may see this as their last chance.
The opening of the pools on December 19, 2025 starts the season’s waiting game of draws, paperwork and timing.
Tips for applicants and employers
- Check IRCC’s selection page weekly (updates on Fridays).
- Consider widening plans beyond the most competitive pool to improve chances.
- Employers in tourism and hospitality should watch early draws for indications of upcoming seasonal staffing relief.
- Prepare documents (police certificates, insurance, proof of funds) well in advance.
Key takeaways
- The 2026 IEC season opened December 19, 2025; first draws expected in January 2026.
- Working Holiday = open permit, high demand; Young Professionals = job offer required, employer-specific, prioritized; International Co-op = study-linked placements.
- Meet the core eligibility rules, start gathering documents early, and create a new 2026 profile even if you applied in 2025.
For official rules and country eligibility, visit IRCC’s IEC site: International Experience Canada.
The 2026 International Experience Canada season opened on December 19, 2025, inviting young citizens from 36 countries to join candidate pools. First invitation rounds are officially scheduled for January 2026. The program features three distinct streams: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op. Key requirements include specific age limits, proof of funds, and comprehensive health insurance. Applicants must submit entirely new profiles for 2026 to be considered.
