Work in Canada
Canada Invites 8,676 Candidates in New IEC Draws
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted new invitation rounds under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, issuing 8,676 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) between February 21 and March 6, 2026.
The IEC program allows young people from partner countries to live and work in Canada temporarily, offering opportunities for cultural exchange and professional experience.
Following the latest rounds, 28,404 candidates remain in the IEC candidate pools waiting for future invitations.
So far in 2026, Canada has issued 46,652 invitations through the IEC program, demonstrating strong interest in youth mobility opportunities.
Table of Contents
Largest Number of Invitations by Country
The most recent invitation rounds saw significant participation from multiple countries.
The highest number of invitations went to:
| Country | ITAs |
| Japan | 2,438 |
| United Kingdom | 1,262 |
| New Zealand | 874 |
| Korea | 733 |
| France | 727 |
| Australia | 645 |
| Ireland | 487 |
| Germany | 391 |
Smaller numbers of invitations were also issued to candidates from countries such as Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.
This broad participation highlights Canada’s extensive network of youth mobility agreements with partner countries around the world.
How the IEC Program Works
The International Experience Canada program provides young people with the opportunity to gain temporary work experience in Canada.
The program includes three main categories:
- Working Holiday
- Young Professionals
- International Co-op (Internship)
Participants in the Working Holiday category usually receive open work permits, allowing them to work for most employers across Canada.
Candidates must first create an IEC profile and enter the pool for their country. Invitations are then issued through regular draws.
UK Working Holiday Category Update
The United Kingdom Working Holiday stream remains one of the most active pools in the IEC program.
Current statistics show:
- Quota: 9,330
- Invitations issued: 9,159
- Remaining spots: 3,027
- Candidates in the pool: 395
As of March 6, 2026, the chance of receiving an invitation for eligible candidates from the UK is rated “Excellent.”
Why IEC Remains a Popular Pathway
The IEC program is popular because it provides young professionals with an accessible way to experience life and work in Canada.
Some key benefits include:
- No Labour Market Impact Assessment required
- Opportunity to gain Canadian work experience
- Flexible work permits in many categories
- Potential pathways to permanent immigration
Many participants later pursue permanent residence through programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the International Experience Canada program?
The IEC program allows young people from partner countries to work and travel in Canada through temporary work permits.
2. How many invitations were issued in the latest IEC rounds?
Canada issued 8,676 invitations between February 21 and March 6, 2026.
3. Which countries received the most invitations?
Japan, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand received the largest number of invitations in the latest rounds.
4. Can IEC participants apply for permanent residence later?
Yes. Many participants later apply for permanent residence through programs such as Express Entry after gaining Canadian work experience.
