Canada has wrapped up its International Experience Canada (IEC) season, issuing 2,946 final Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across Working Holiday, Young Professional and International Co-op pools. According to IRCC’s update six hours ago, the last round—run between October 10 and 27—lifted 2025’s total IEC invitations to 102,289, up 4 % from 2024.
Australia (398 ITAs) again topped the country table, followed by France (472), Germany (350) and Ireland (232). New Zealand, Italy and the Republic of Korea also saw strong numbers, reflecting pent-up post-pandemic demand for reciprocal youth work permits. With pools now closed, candidates who remain in the system will have to re-enter when the 2026 season opens, likely in January.
For Canadian employers in hospitality, tourism and agriculture, the surge of IEC participants provided crucial seasonal labour in a year when temporary resident caps squeezed other work-permit pathways. Companies seeking IEC hires for next summer should begin compliance planning now, including LMIA exemptions and payroll onboarding.
Participants who received an ITA must submit biometrics, police certificates and the participation fee within 20 days. IRCC warns that incomplete files risk refusal as it targets a 56-day processing standard.
Observers note that IEC’s popularity may encourage Ottawa to preserve, or even expand, bilateral quotas despite broader moves to reduce temporary migration to below 5 % of the population by 2027.
Australia (398 ITAs) again topped the country table, followed by France (472), Germany (350) and Ireland (232). New Zealand, Italy and the Republic of Korea also saw strong numbers, reflecting pent-up post-pandemic demand for reciprocal youth work permits. With pools now closed, candidates who remain in the system will have to re-enter when the 2026 season opens, likely in January.
For Canadian employers in hospitality, tourism and agriculture, the surge of IEC participants provided crucial seasonal labour in a year when temporary resident caps squeezed other work-permit pathways. Companies seeking IEC hires for next summer should begin compliance planning now, including LMIA exemptions and payroll onboarding.
Participants who received an ITA must submit biometrics, police certificates and the participation fee within 20 days. IRCC warns that incomplete files risk refusal as it targets a 56-day processing standard.
Observers note that IEC’s popularity may encourage Ottawa to preserve, or even expand, bilateral quotas despite broader moves to reduce temporary migration to below 5 % of the population by 2027.
