Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) program is one of the most popular ways for young people from eligible countries to live and work in Canada legally. The Working Holiday category — the most well-known of the three IEC categories — grants an open work permit allowing you to work for any employer in Canada. This guide covers the 2026 eligible countries, age limits, how the randomized pool and invitation system works, fees, permit duration, and whether you can extend.
The Three IEC Categories
IEC is a reciprocal program — Canada has bilateral agreements with specific countries. Under these agreements, there are three distinct work authorization categories:
Working Holiday
The most flexible category. Grants an open work permit — work for any employer, in any occupation, anywhere in Canada. No job offer required to apply.
Age: 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries). Duration: up to 12 or 24 months depending on country. This is what most people mean when they say "working holiday visa."
Young Professionals
For young professionals who have a job offer from a Canadian employer. The work permit is employer-specific — you can only work for the employer named on the permit.
Age: 18–35. Requires: job offer, must be working in an occupation related to your field of study. Duration: up to 24 months.
International Co-op (Internship)
For students enrolled in a post-secondary program outside Canada who need to complete a work placement or internship in Canada as a requirement of their program.
Age: 18–35. Requires: letter from institution confirming co-op/internship is mandatory for program completion. Duration: up to 12 months.
Eligible Countries & Age Limits
IEC is only available to citizens of countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. Eligibility and age limits vary by country. As of 2026, countries include (but are not limited to):
| Country Group | Examples | Age Limit (Working Holiday) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–30 countries | Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania | 18–30 |
| 18–35 countries | Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Ukraine, Argentina, Ecuador, Morocco, Tunisia | 18–35 |
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Country eligibility, age limits, and annual quotas change each year. Use our Visa Checker to confirm your country's eligibility and current quota status, or check IRCC's official IEC country page.
Age is assessed at the time you submit your profile to the pool — not when you receive an invitation or when your permit is issued. Make sure you meet the age requirement when you join the pool.
How the Pool & Invitation System Works
IEC does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, it uses a randomized pool system:
- 1
Create a profile
Submit your profile on the IRCC IEC portal. Your profile enters the pool for your country and category (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or Co-op). No fee at this stage.
- 2
Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC randomly selects candidates from the pool in rounds (draws). Not everyone in the pool gets invited — spots are limited by annual quotas per country. There is no guaranteed timeline for receiving an invitation.
- 3
Receive your ITA
If selected, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) via your IRCC account. You typically have 10 days to decide whether to accept and 20 days to submit your full work permit application.
- 4
Submit work permit application
Once you accept the ITA, submit your work permit application online. Pay the $272 CAD fee (application fee + open work permit holder fee). Provide biometrics if required.
- 5
Receive Letter of Introduction (LOI)
After approval, you receive a Letter of Introduction. This is not the work permit itself — it authorizes you to travel to Canada and get the permit issued at the port of entry.
- 6
Enter Canada and get your permit
Present your LOI to CBSA at a Canadian port of entry. The officer issues your open work permit. You can begin working for any employer immediately.
Quotas fill fast. Some countries (especially UK and France) have quotas that are exhausted quickly each year. Once the quota is filled, the pool closes and no more ITAs are issued until the next year's opening. Submit your profile as early as possible at the start of each year.
Fees, Permit Duration & Extension
Fees
- • IEC application fee: $150 CAD
- • Open Work Permit Holder fee: $100 CAD
- • Biometrics: $85 CAD (if required)
- •Total government fees: approximately $272 CAD (not including biometrics if applicable)
Permit Duration
- • Most countries: up to 12 months
- • Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand: up to 24 months
- • Duration is determined by bilateral agreement — check IRCC for your specific country
Can You Extend?
The IEC Working Holiday permit itself cannot be renewed or extended. It is a single-entry authorization tied to your IEC profile. However, you have several options when it expires:
- ✓ Re-apply through IEC — some bilateral agreements allow a second IEC participation. Check if your country allows repeat participation.
- ✓ Apply for a different work permit — if you have a Canadian job offer, your employer may be able to sponsor you for an employer-specific work permit or LMIA-backed permit.
- ✓ Apply for permanent residence — Canadian work experience gained on an IEC permit can qualify you for the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) or a Provincial Nominee Program.
Check your IEC eligibility
Our Visa Checker confirms your country's IEC eligibility, current quota status, and age limit in seconds.
Check My EligibilityFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer to apply for IEC Working Holiday?+
No. The Working Holiday category grants an open work permit — you can apply without a job offer and work for any employer in Canada once you arrive. The Young Professionals category does require a job offer.
How long does it take to get an ITA after joining the pool?+
There is no guaranteed timeline. It depends on your country's annual quota, how many people are in the pool, and how frequently IRCC conducts draws. Some popular country pools are drawn quickly; others can take weeks or months. Some applicants never receive an ITA if quotas are exhausted.
Can I bring my family on an IEC Working Holiday?+
Your spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for an open work permit as the spouse of an IEC permit holder, depending on your permit duration (typically required to be at least 6 months remaining). Your dependent children may be eligible for visitor status or student permits. Check current IRCC policy for dependent eligibility rules.
Does a criminal record affect my IEC application?+
Yes. All work permit applicants — including IEC — must meet standard Canadian admissibility requirements. A criminal record that makes you inadmissible under IRPA s.36 can result in your work permit application being refused. Address criminal inadmissibility (TRP or Criminal Rehabilitation) before or alongside your IEC application if applicable.
Can I study while on an IEC Working Holiday permit?+
Yes, with limitations. You can take short-term courses (6 months or less) without a study permit. For programs longer than 6 months, you would need a separate study permit. Many Working Holiday participants take language courses or short professional development programs.
Important: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.