Canada has officially opened the 2026 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, and the pace is already accelerating. As of February 6, 2026, three major invitation waves have been issued under the Working Holiday Visa category, making this one of the fastest moving IEC starts in recent years.
By early February, 24,728 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) had already been issued across participating countries and territories. This represents more than half of the total 2026 Working Holiday quota of 45,523.
With 28,004 spots still technically available and 24,728 candidates currently in the pools, early data suggests that the 2026 IEC season will be highly competitive, particularly for traditionally oversubscribed countries.
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Why the Working Holiday Category Moves First
For young travellers and early career professionals, the Working Holiday work permit remains the most flexible and accessible pathway to work in Canada.
Key advantages include:
- No Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) required
- No job offer required at the time of application
- Open work permit in most cases
Because of this flexibility, Working Holiday pools typically see the highest demand and the earliest invitation activity. The first rounds are critical because they indicate how quickly quotas may shrink and which country pools are likely to clear early.
Working Holiday Visa Draw Results as of February 6, 2026
The table below reflects country by country invitation activity and remaining quota levels for the Working Holiday category during the opening weeks of the 2026 IEC season.
Why Some Countries Show “To Be Announced”
During the IEC season opening phase, it is common for certain countries to display “to be announced” in invitation or quota columns. This usually means that the season is open, candidate pools are forming, but invitation rounds for that country have not yet started or are awaiting operational updates.
From a candidate perspective, “to be announced” should be interpreted as open but not yet moving. Eligible candidates are generally advised to enter the pool early and ensure their profile is accurate, as invitations often arrive in clusters once rounds begin.
What to Do Immediately If You Received an ITA
An IEC Working Holiday ITA is time sensitive, and delays are a common reason candidates lose their opportunity.
If you received an invitation, your immediate priorities should be:
- Accept the invitation promptly if you plan to proceed
- Review document requirements early, especially police certificates
- Prepare proof of funds in a clear and consistent format
- Confirm passport validity, as work permit length may depend on passport expiry
- Schedule biometrics quickly if required
Receiving an ITA does not guarantee approval. Applications must be complete, truthful, and consistent across travel history, address history, and prior visa records.
If You Are Still in the Pool
Candidates who are still waiting should avoid a passive approach and instead focus on readiness.
Recommended actions include:
- Rechecking your IEC profile for accuracy
- Monitoring pool size and available quota for your country
- Preparing time sensitive documents such as police certificates
- Assessing eligibility for Young Professionals or International Co op categories
- Planning job search and settlement logistics in advance
Prepared candidates are better positioned to submit quickly and correctly once invited.
Understanding the Three IEC Pathways
While many applicants focus exclusively on Working Holiday, early 2026 data highlights the importance of understanding all IEC options.
Working Holiday
- Open work permit in most cases
- No job offer required
- Highest demand and competition
Young Professionals
- Employer specific work permit
- Requires a qualifying job offer aligned with career development
- Often less crowded depending on country
International Co op (Internships)
- Employer specific work permit tied to an internship placement
- Usually requires proof of student status and program relevance
- Frequently offers lower competition for eligible candidates
In 2026, candidates who can secure a valid job offer or internship may experience faster and more predictable outcomes outside the Working Holiday category.
Young Professionals Draw Results as of February 6, 2026
Early Young Professionals activity shows meaningful movement in several countries, with some pools displaying low congestion and strong invitation potential.
What the Young Professionals Numbers Reveal
- France is showing particularly strong movement, with hundreds of invitations already issued and relatively small pool sizes remaining
- The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea also demonstrate favorable invitation to candidate ratios
- Costa Rica remains highly competitive, suggesting that candidates may need to consider alternative Canadian work permit strategies
International Co op (Internships) Results as of February 6, 2026
The International Co op category continues to be underestimated despite offering favorable invitation ratios in many countries.
Why International Co op Can Be a Strategic Advantage in 2026
International Co op requires structured internship placements, which limits eligibility but significantly reduces competition.
Key trends include:
- Strong ongoing movement in France with large remaining quotas
- Several countries showing minimal or zero candidate presence
- Eligibility being the primary barrier rather than competition
For students and recent graduates who can secure compliant Canadian internships, International Co op may represent the most reliable IEC option in 2026.
Common Reasons for IEC Refusals
Even with high invitation numbers, refusals still occur, often due to avoidable errors:
- Passport validity issues
- Missing or incorrect police certificates
- Inconsistent travel, address, or employment history
- Misunderstanding open versus employer specific permit rules
- Weak or unclear proof of funds
- Non compliant job offer or internship documentation
What the Early Data Suggests for the Rest of the 2026 IEC Season
Based on first round activity, the 2026 IEC season is likely to unfold in stages.
January to February
High volume early invitations and the start of movement for countries previously marked as to be announced.
March to May
Tightening Working Holiday pools for oversubscribed countries, with steadier and more predictable movement in Young Professionals and International Co op categories.
June onward
Reduced availability in many pools, increased risk for late entrants, and greater reliance on alternative work permit strategies.
Final Takeaway
The first IEC draws of 2026 confirm that this will be a fast moving and competitive season. Timing and preparation are already playing a decisive role.
Candidates should use early draw data as a planning tool by monitoring their country pool pressure, preparing documents in advance, and seriously evaluating non Working Holiday pathways where appropriate.
In a year where timing may determine who arrives in Canada first, readiness remains the strongest advantage.
