Home > Work in Canada > Temporary Work Permits > International Experience Canada (IEC) > IEC: What are your chances?
October 4, 2019
The International Experience Canada (IEC) program allows nationals (under 30 or 35 years old depending on the country) from over 30 countries to apply for a temporary work permit. The work permit delivered can be valid up to 24 months (again, depending on the country). However, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) depends mostly on chance and the number of candidates waiting for an invitation.
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How does the IEC system work?
There are three IEC categories (that are detailed in the IEC application guide): International Co-op Internship, Working Holiday, and Young Professionals. Only the Working Holiday category does not require you to hold job offer to be eligible.
International agreements signed by Canada with the 30+ countries allows each country to be either allowed in one category, two categories, or the three of them. Almost all countries are allowed under the Working Holiday category.
Basically, candidates are grouped in online pools, each pool representing a (country + program). For example, a pool can consist of Working Holiday candidates from the U.K. Then, depending on the number of candidates in the pool and the number of Invitation to Apply (ITA) remaining, the candidate's chances to receive an ITA will decrease or increase accordingly. Indeed, each week, a number of ITAs are sent and the lucky candidates are picked randomly from the pool.
The chances to receive an ITA are grouped into 5 possibilities: (1% to 19%), (20% to 39%), (40% to 59%), (60% to 79%) or (80% to 99%). You can use the table below to find out your chances, depending on your country and IEC category.
International agreements signed by Canada with the 30+ countries allows each country to be either allowed in one category, two categories, or the three of them. Almost all countries are allowed under the Working Holiday category.
Basically, candidates are grouped in online pools, each pool representing a (country + program). For example, a pool can consist of Working Holiday candidates from the U.K. Then, depending on the number of candidates in the pool and the number of Invitation to Apply (ITA) remaining, the candidate's chances to receive an ITA will decrease or increase accordingly. Indeed, each week, a number of ITAs are sent and the lucky candidates are picked randomly from the pool.
The chances to receive an ITA are grouped into 5 possibilities: (1% to 19%), (20% to 39%), (40% to 59%), (60% to 79%) or (80% to 99%). You can use the table below to find out your chances, depending on your country and IEC category.
The latest 2019 IEC News
October 4, 2019:
The 2019 IEC season is officially closed. All profiles will be removed from the pools. If you didn't receive an invitation, remember that the 2020 season will probably open around December 2019.
September 27, 2019:
The 2019 IEC season will be officially closed on October 4, 2019. The final round of invitations for all pools will take place on October 4, meaning that if you wish to be considered in the final round, you must submit your profile before 9am EDT on that day.
The 2019 IEC season is officially closed. All profiles will be removed from the pools. If you didn't receive an invitation, remember that the 2020 season will probably open around December 2019.
September 27, 2019:
The 2019 IEC season will be officially closed on October 4, 2019. The final round of invitations for all pools will take place on October 4, meaning that if you wish to be considered in the final round, you must submit your profile before 9am EDT on that day.
Previous 2019 IEC News
August 16, 2019:
200 spots have been re-distributed between two pools of France, as follows:
August 9, 2019:
The last round of ITAs for all 3 pools of Slovakia will take place on August 18, 2019.
August 2, 2019:
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have clarified a point of contention regarding repeat IEC participations: Even if a candidate has exhausted his allowable participations (that depend on his/her nationality), he/she can still apply for up to two additional (and final) IEC participations through a Recognized Organization.
Luxembourg's three pool of candidates have been opened, divided as follows:
July 3, 2019:
A new bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement between Canada and Luxembourg has been signed, allowing nationals from Luxembourg, aged 18 to 30, to come to Canada for up to 12 months under the IEC program, through the three categories (Working Holiday, International Co-op Internship, and Young Professionals). More information will be posted here as soon as it is published.
June 28, 2019:
250 spots have been added to the three pools of Spain, divided as follows:
June 21, 2019:
100 spots have been added to the three pools of Austria, divided as follows:
June 14, 2019:
900 spots have been added to the three pools of Germany, divided as follows:
June 7, 2019:
5,000 spots have been added to the Working Holiday pool of the United Kingdom.
May 31, 2019:
250 spots have been added to the Working Holiday pool of Belgium.
May 15, 2019:
Thousands of spots have been added to a few set of pools, meaning chances to receive an invitation to apply will increase:
April 8, 2019:
Candidates from Netherlands will have their first round of invitations for the Working Holiday category.
March 1, 2019:
IRCC has announced the following:‘Due to a large number of work permit applications we’re currently processing, the chances of receiving an invitation for the Working Holiday Category will be low for the next few rounds. Chances of receiving an invitation for most countries will increase in April. Please continue to submit your profile for a chance to be invited.’
February 11, 2019:
Candidates from Greece and Poland received their first round of invitations.
January 28, 2019:
Candidates from Estonia, Latvia, and Spain had their first round of invitations.
January 21, 2019:
Candidates from the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Slovenia were issued their first round of invitations.
January 7, 2019:
Candidates from Japan and Slovakia were issued their first round of invitations.
December 27, 2018:
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued the first round of invitations in the 2019 IEC season, including the Working Holiday category. However, only some select countries are included in this first round, such as France, Portugal, the U.K., Australia, Ireland, and many others.
200 spots have been re-distributed between two pools of France, as follows:
- 200 spots have been added to the International Co-op Internship pool, and
- 200 spots have been added to the Young Professionals pool.
August 9, 2019:
The last round of ITAs for all 3 pools of Slovakia will take place on August 18, 2019.
August 2, 2019:
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have clarified a point of contention regarding repeat IEC participations: Even if a candidate has exhausted his allowable participations (that depend on his/her nationality), he/she can still apply for up to two additional (and final) IEC participations through a Recognized Organization.
Luxembourg's three pool of candidates have been opened, divided as follows:
- 10 spots for the International Co-op Internship pool,
- 80 spots for the Working Holiday pool, and
- 10 spots for the Young Professionals pool.
July 3, 2019:
A new bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement between Canada and Luxembourg has been signed, allowing nationals from Luxembourg, aged 18 to 30, to come to Canada for up to 12 months under the IEC program, through the three categories (Working Holiday, International Co-op Internship, and Young Professionals). More information will be posted here as soon as it is published.
June 28, 2019:
250 spots have been added to the three pools of Spain, divided as follows:
- 225 spots for the Working Holiday pool, and
- 25 spots for the Young Professionals pool.
- 50 spots for the Working Holiday pool, and
- 50 spots for the Young Professionals pool.
June 21, 2019:
100 spots have been added to the three pools of Austria, divided as follows:
- 5 spots for the International Co-op Internship pool,
- 85 spots for the Working Holiday pool, and
- 10 spots for the Young Professionals pool.
June 14, 2019:
900 spots have been added to the three pools of Germany, divided as follows:
- 30 spots for the International Co-op Internship pool,
- 840 spots for the Working Holiday pool, and
- 30 spots for the Young Professionals pool.
June 7, 2019:
5,000 spots have been added to the Working Holiday pool of the United Kingdom.
May 31, 2019:
250 spots have been added to the Working Holiday pool of Belgium.
May 15, 2019:
Thousands of spots have been added to a few set of pools, meaning chances to receive an invitation to apply will increase:
- 7,750 spots for the Working Holiday pool of France,
- 50 spots for the Working Holiday pool of Hong Kong,
- 50 spots for the Working Holiday pool of Chile,
- 50 spots for the Young Professionals pool of Chile,
- 15 spots for the International Co-op Internship pool of Taiwan,
- 200 spots for the Working Holiday pool of Taiwan, and
- 35 spots for the Young Professionals pool of Taiwan.
April 8, 2019:
Candidates from Netherlands will have their first round of invitations for the Working Holiday category.
March 1, 2019:
IRCC has announced the following:‘Due to a large number of work permit applications we’re currently processing, the chances of receiving an invitation for the Working Holiday Category will be low for the next few rounds. Chances of receiving an invitation for most countries will increase in April. Please continue to submit your profile for a chance to be invited.’
February 11, 2019:
Candidates from Greece and Poland received their first round of invitations.
January 28, 2019:
Candidates from Estonia, Latvia, and Spain had their first round of invitations.
January 21, 2019:
Candidates from the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Slovenia were issued their first round of invitations.
January 7, 2019:
Candidates from Japan and Slovakia were issued their first round of invitations.
December 27, 2018:
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued the first round of invitations in the 2019 IEC season, including the Working Holiday category. However, only some select countries are included in this first round, such as France, Portugal, the U.K., Australia, Ireland, and many others.
Changes from the previous IEC season
Two major changes have been implemented since the 2018 season:
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have also clarified a point of contention regarding repeat IEC participations: Even if a candidate has exhausted his allowable participations (that depend on his/her nationality), he/she can still apply for up to two additional (and final) IEC participations through a Recognized Organization.
- Candidates, aged 18 to 35, from Portugal are now allowed to take part in the program. Only one participation, in one of the three categories, of maximum 24 months is allowed. A total of 2,000 ITAs are allocated for Portugal's first IEC season.
- Candidates from Australia with ages between 18 to 35 are now allowed to participate. The age limit for the previous seasons was 30 years old.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have also clarified a point of contention regarding repeat IEC participations: Even if a candidate has exhausted his allowable participations (that depend on his/her nationality), he/she can still apply for up to two additional (and final) IEC participations through a Recognized Organization.
2019 IEC Chances and Summary Table
The following table has been last updated on October 4, 2019.
If you want to know your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA), this is the right place. On the table below, you will have the latest data on each pool (by country/category), and the percentage chance of receiving an ITA.
The IEC categories "CO" stand for International Co-op Internship, "WH" for Working Holiday, and "YP" for Young Professionals (more information on the IEC categories here). ITA(s) stands for Invitation(s) To Apply.
Candidates from Mexico and Ukraine are not accepted for the time being. We will inform you as soon as this changes. Follow us on social media and/or subscribe to our Newsletter to be the first to know (links at the bottom of the page).
Candidates from Other countries have to go through a Recognized Organization.
Use the search box below or the filters to select the country you are from and the category you are interested in (if available):
The IEC categories "CO" stand for International Co-op Internship, "WH" for Working Holiday, and "YP" for Young Professionals (more information on the IEC categories here). ITA(s) stands for Invitation(s) To Apply.
Candidates from Mexico and Ukraine are not accepted for the time being. We will inform you as soon as this changes. Follow us on social media and/or subscribe to our Newsletter to be the first to know (links at the bottom of the page).
Candidates from Other countries have to go through a Recognized Organization.
Use the search box below or the filters to select the country you are from and the category you are interested in (if available):
Country | IEC Category | Candidates in the pool | ITAs available | 2019 Allocation | ITAs issued to date | Chances of getting an ITA | First round of ITAs | Last round of ITAs |
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Filters: |
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Australia | CO | 0 | No limit | No limit | 33 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Australia | WH | 175 | No limit | No limit | 12,608 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Australia | YP | 10 | No limit | No limit | 502 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Austria | CO | 0 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Austria | WH | 27 | 0 | 260 | 496 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Austria | YP | 0 | 1 | 5 | 51 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Belgium | WH | 290 | 0 | 1,000 | 1,752 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Chile | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Chile | WH | 5,960 | 2 | 775 | 1,209 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Chile | YP | 23 | 0 | 73 | 173 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Costa Rica | CO | 1 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 2/7/2019 |
Costa Rica | WH | 318 | 0 | 80 | 139 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 2/7/2019 |
Costa Rica | YP | 22 | 0 | 15 | 24 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 2/7/2019 |
Croatia | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Croatia | WH | 26 | 0 | 288 | 530 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Croatia | YP | 1 | 1 | 10 | 34 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Czech Republic | CO | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 80% - 99% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Czech Republic | WH | 1,274 | 0 | 1,000 | 1,894 | 1% - 19% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Czech Republic | YP | 217 | 0 | 145 | 289 | 1% - 19% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Denmark | WH | 86 | 0 | 350 | 542 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Estonia | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 80% - 99% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Estonia | WH | 46 | 0 | 110 | 280 | 1% - 19% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Estonia | YP | 6 | 0 | 13 | 28 | 1% - 19% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
France | YP | 430 | 0 | 2,400 | 4,257 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
France | CO | 125 | 6 | 4,450 | 6,084 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
France | WH | 12,493 | 17 | 15,050 | 25,428 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Germany | WH | 648 | 2 | 5,330 | 8,859 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Germany | YP | 45 | 1 | 400 | 847 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Greece | CO | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 80% - 99% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Greece | WH | 119 | 0 | 230 | 410 | 1% - 19% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Greece | YP | 8 | 0 | 60 | 118 | 1% - 19% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Hong Kong | WH | 216 | 0 | 250 | 577 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Ireland | CO | 0 | 44 | 50 | 17 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Ireland | WH | 236 | 2,898 | 10,500 | 13,592 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Ireland | YP | 5 | 94 | 150 | 292 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Italy | WH | 449 | 0 | 1,000 | 2,562 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Japan | WH | 169 | 29 | 6,500 | 8,400 | 40% - 59% | 7/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Korea | WH | 18,093 | 0 | 4,000 | 7,349 | 1% - 19% | 14/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Latvia | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 80% - 99% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Latvia | WH | 123 | 1 | 40 | 106 | 1% - 19% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Latvia | YP | 2 | 0 | 8 | 24 | 1% - 19% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Lithuania | CO | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Lithuania | WH | 693 | 0 | 175 | 319 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Lithuania | YP | 7 | 0 | 23 | 60 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Luxembourg | CO | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | TBD | 6/8/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Luxembourg | WH | 1 | 74 | 80 | 21 | 80% - 99% | 6/8/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Luxembourg | YP | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | TBD | 6/8/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Mexico | CO | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Mexico | WH | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Mexico | YP | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Netherlands | WH | 395 | 1 | 430 | 930 | 1% - 19% | 8/4/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Netherlands | YP | 23 | 0 | 170 | 312 | 1% - 19% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
New Zealand | WH | 53 | 614 | 2,500 | 3,321 | 80% - 99% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Norway | CO | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Norway | WH | 5 | 20 | 130 | 199 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Norway | YP | 2 | 4 | 15 | 25 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Poland | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 80% - 99% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Poland | WH | 440 | 4 | 635 | 1,285 | 1% - 19% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Poland | YP | 24 | 0 | 113 | 266 | 1% - 19% | 11/2/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Portugal | CO | 2 | 45 | 50 | 10 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Portugal | WH | 40 | 1,010 | 1,750 | 1,356 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Portugal | YP | 4 | 171 | 200 | 69 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Recognized Organizations | N/A | 1,308 | N/A | N/A | N/A | TBD | TBD | 4/10/2019 |
San Marino | WH | 0 | 17 | 25 | 14 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Slovakia | CO | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1% - 19% | 7/1/2019 | 19/8/2019 |
Slovakia | WH | 437 | 0 | 315 | 562 | 1% - 19% | 7/1/2019 | 19/8/2019 |
Slovakia | YP | 39 | 0 | 33 | 101 | 1% - 19% | 7/1/2019 | 19/8/2019 |
Slovenia | CO | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 80% - 99% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Slovenia | WH | 29 | 0 | 80 | 224 | 1% - 19% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Slovenia | YP | 0 | 0 | 18 | 39 | 80% - 99% | 21/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Spain | CO | 1 | 37 | 50 | 26 | 80% - 99% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Spain | WH | 1,154 | 0 | 1,025 | 2,515 | 1% - 19% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Spain | YP | 11 | 17 | 175 | 432 | 80% - 99% | 28/1/2019 | 4/10/2019 |
Sweden | CO | 0 | 15 | 20 | 10 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Sweden | WH | 15 | 111 | 580 | 873 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Sweden | YP | 3 | 35 | 100 | 125 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Switzerland | CO | 0 | 15 | 50 | 56 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Switzerland | YP | 5 | 36 | 200 | 240 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Taiwan | CO | 2 | 2 | 20 | 51 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Taiwan | WH | 6,815 | 4 | 1,140 | 2,366 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Taiwan | YP | 13 | 2 | 90 | 223 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Ukraine | CO | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Ukraine | WH | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Ukraine | YP | Not accepting applications | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
United Kingdom | WH | 1,051 | 8 | 10,000 | 20,193 | 1% - 19% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
Germany | CO | 4 | 3 | 170 | 349 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
France | VIE | 81 | 0 | 250 | 345 | 80% - 99% | 27/12/2018 | 4/10/2019 |
CO: International Co-op Internship / WH: Working Holiday / YP: Young Professionals / TDB : To Be Determined / N/A : Non Applicable