Great news for young people dreaming of working in Canada. The International Experience Canada (IEC) program has officially reopened its pools for the 2026 season, giving eligible foreign nationals a fresh chance to get a Canadian work permit.
Through IEC, young applicants from 36 participating countries can live and work in Canada for up to two years. Depending on your country, the eligible age range is 18 to 30 or 18 to 35. IRCC will run invitation rounds throughout the year, selecting candidates from different IEC pools to apply for work permits.
If you applied in the previous season but were not selected, you must create a new profile to be considered this time.
Who can apply for the IEC program?
IEC is available to citizens of countries that have a youth mobility agreement with Canada. Each country has its own rules, age limits, and participation caps, so eligibility depends on your nationality.
To qualify, all applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Hold a valid passport for the full duration of stay
- Have private health insurance covering the entire period in Canada
- Show proof of at least $2,500 in funds
- Have a return ticket or enough money to buy one
- Meet Canada’s general entry requirements
Some applicants may also need to show a valid job offer. Please note that IEC participants cannot bring dependents with them.
Types of work permits under IEC
IEC offers three work permit options, depending on your profile and country eligibility:
- Working Holiday: This option provides an open work permit, allowing you to work for almost any employer in Canada. No job offer is required, but competition is high due to strong demand.
- Young Professionals: This category is for applicants with a skilled job offer in Canada that supports career growth. It offers an employer-specific work permit and usually has better selection chances than the Working Holiday stream.
- International Co-op (Internship): Designed for students, this option requires you to be enrolled in a post-secondary institution outside Canada. The internship must be related to your studies and is often the least competitive IEC stream.
All IEC work permits are LMIA-exempt, making the process smoother for both applicants and employers.
How the IEC application process works
To begin, you need to create an online IEC profile and enter the relevant candidate pool. IRCC will review profiles and issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through regular draws.
If you receive an ITA, you will have:
- 10 days to accept the invitation
- 20 days to submit your complete work permit application
Applicants must complete the online form, upload documents, provide biometrics (if required), and pay the applicable fees. Once approved, IRCC issues a Port of Entry (POE) letter, which allows you to travel to Canada and receive your work permit at entry.
Please note that a POE letter does not guarantee entry into Canada, as final approval is given by border officers.
What are your chances of selection?
IEC selections are based on a lottery system, and each country has a limited quota. Invitation rounds usually take place weekly or bi-weekly until all spots are filled or the season closes.
IRCC provides estimated chances for each country and category, ranging from excellent to very low. These chances depend on demand, available quotas, and how many candidates accept or decline invitations.
In most cases, the Young Professionals category offers better chances compared to the Working Holiday stream.
Start your Canada work journey with us
IEC is one of the easiest and fastest ways for young applicants to gain Canadian work experience. However, choosing the right category and submitting a strong profile is key.
With us at Oasis Visas, you get expert guidance at every step from profile creation to work permit approval. Start your Canada work journey with confidence and apply the right way.
