IEC 2026 Season Closing October 19

But there’s still a chance to get an invitation. More rounds are expected before the season closes, so if you’re dreaming of living, working, and exploring Canada through Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op, now is the time to get your profile into the pool. 

Key deadlines and details:

• Final round of invitations: Week of October 19, 2026 

• Deadline to submit profiles: 9 a.m. Eastern Time, October 19, 2026 

• Applies to: All remaining Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op pools 

• Already received an invitation? You can still complete and submit your work permit application after the season closes, provided you meet your application deadlines.

When Will the IEC 2026 Season Close? 

IRCC is expected to continue issuing invitations up to its final round during the week of October 19. Based on the usual IEC update schedule, we expect two more invitation updates before the season officially ends. Once these invitations have been issued, there will be no further rounds for the 2026 season.

If you’re already in an IEC pool, you could still receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Those who have already received an invitation or started their work permit application can continue the process after the season closes, provided you meet application deadlines. 

How the 2026 IEC Season Has Unfolded So Far

With the 2026 International Experience Canada (IEC) season approaching its end, let’s look at how many invitations have been issued, which countries have received the most, and where there is the most competition. The figures below are based on the IEC update on October 9, 2026. We expect more invitations before the season closes, so these are not the final figures for 2026. 

How Many IEC Invitations Have Been Issued in 2026? 

More than 90,000 invitations have been issued through IEC so far in 2026: 

• Total invitations issued: 93,859 

• Overall IEC quota: 62,024 

• Spots remaining: 2,141 

• Invitations issued in the latest round: 1,010 

You might be wondering why the number of invitations is higher than the overall quota. This is because not every invitation leads to an approved work permit. Some candidates decline their invitations, don’t submit an application before deadlines, or have their application refused. 

Which Countries Have Received the Most IEC Invitations in 2026? 

The UK, South Korea, Australia, Japan, and France have received the most Working Holiday invitations so far this year. 

Source: IEC pool data as of October 9, 2026. Figures may change. 

The UK leads with 14,559 Working Holiday invitations, followed closely by South Korea with 13,877. However, South Korea stands out, with 901 spots remaining and just 155 candidates in the pool. This gives applicants a better chance of receiving an invitation than in other popular IEC countries. 

Where Is Competition Toughest? 

Unfortunately, competition is tough in most Working Holiday pools as the 2026 season approaches its end. 

France has the most candidates waiting, with 21,803 people in the pool and just 95 spots remaining. Chile follows with 8,797 candidates and only two spots left, while the UK has 5,846 candidates waiting for 122 spots. 

Other countries also facing tough competition include Taiwan (2,713 candidates and 81 spots), Australia (2,238 candidates and 133 spots), and Japan (1,564 candidates and just 14 spots). Several countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Costa Rica, currently have no Working Holiday spots remaining.  

If your country’s IEC pool currently has very low chances of receiving an invitation, it’s important to be realistic about your chances before the season ends. While pool sizes and quotas can still change, with so few spots remaining, an invitation may be unlikely. 

What about Young Professionals and International Co-op? These categories usually have fewer candidates competing for invitations, but they also offer fewer spots. And unlike Working Holiday, both require you to have a job offer or internship arranged in Canada before applying. 

To check your country’s odds for receiving an invitation, check out our IEC tracker.

What If I Don’t Get an IEC Invitation? 

If you don’t receive an invitation before the 2026 season ends, you’ll need to wait until the 2027 IEC season to try again. Once the season closes, any remaining profiles will be removed from the pools. This means you’ll need to create and submit a new profile when the 2027 pools open. 

IRCC hasn’t confirmed an opening date or country quotas for 2027. However, IEC pools have typically opened in December, with invitations beginning in January in previous years. Quotas can change from year to year, so we’ll be sharing updates once IRCC releases information about the next season. 

For now, if you’re still hoping to receive an invitation, make sure you submit your profile before 9 a.m. Eastern Time on October 19. There are still invitations up for grabs, so don’t miss your chance to be considered in the final rounds. 

For a full country-by-country breakdown, including the latest invitations, remaining spots, and selection chances, visit our IEC Working Holiday News Hub.