2025 IEC Quotas: Biggest Wins, Largest Drops, and What’s Still to Come

That’s not to say that some IEC participants won’t experience some challenges this year. There are already more people in the pool for certain programs than the quota for the year allows. So, even before we see the first draw, we know some people will miss out this year. Plus, other countries have seen significant decreases in their quotas.  

Below, we’ll highlight the highest quotas, the largest decreases (by total spots rather than percentage), and those countries whose allotments remain “To Be Announced.” We’ll also cover a few additional key takeaways to keep in mind as the season progresses. 

Countries with the Highest Quotas 

Some countries habitually offer a generous number of spots under the IEC, making them a prime choice for travelers and young professionals hoping to live and work in Canada. Here are the standout players for 2025: 

Korea 

For yet another year, South Korea tops the Working Holiday quota, with 10,000 spots. Its Young Professionals allocation also got a major boost, jumping to 1,500 from last year’s 350. For International Co-op, it remains at 500—a high figure compared to most other nations. 

France 

France remains a strong contender with quotas spread across four sub-categories: 

• Working Holiday: 6,615 

• International Co-op: 3,950 

• Young Professionals: 2,080 

• Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE): 945 

With over 13,000 combined spots across these categories, France continues to be one of the largest contributors to the IEC program. 

United Kingdom 

The U.K. has traditionally been a big participant in IEC. For 2025, 9,000 Working Holiday spots remain available, along with 900 for Young Professionals and 100 for International Co-op. 

Australia and Finland (Unlimited) 

Australia and Finland stand out because they do not limit the number of participants across all three IEC streams (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op). If you hold an Australian or Finnish passport, your only concern is the administrative process—there’s technically no cap to worry about. 

Countries with the Biggest Decreases 

Not every country saw increases this year. Below are the most significant decreases by total spot reduction: 

Ireland (Working Holiday) 

The sharpest drop in 2025 is Ireland’s Working Holiday category, which went from around 10,500 down to 3,800. This difference of 6,700 spots is significant and will certainly impact availability for Irish citizens hoping to experience Canada. However, it’s not as bad as it seems – since Ireland didn’t reach its quota last year. In 2024, IRCC issued just over 6000 invitations to Irish candidates for the working holiday. So, the real decrease (in practical terms), looks more like a reduction of 6,000 to 3,800.  

Taiwan (Working Holiday) 

Taiwan’s Working Holiday numbers took a big hit, going from 3,340 down to 940—a drop of 2,400. This reduction significantly tightens the path for Taiwanese youth looking to explore Canada. 

Korea – Working Holiday 

Despite still having the highest total, South Korea’s Working Holiday allocation dropped from 11,625 to 10,000, losing 1,625 spots. Even so, 10,000 remains substantial, so it’s more of a “major decrease” on paper than in practice. 

Portugal (Working Holiday) 

Portugal saw a decrease from 1,750 to 750 spots—1,000 fewer places than before. Young Professionals and International Co-op numbers also took a hit, making Portugal’s total allocations for 2025 noticeably slimmer than in 2024. 

Costa Rica (Working Holiday) 

Costa Rica’s Working Holiday category fell from 1,120 down to 80, shedding 1,040 spots. That massive cut will make it considerably more difficult for Costa Ricans to obtain a Working Holiday permit in Canada this year.  

Other significant drops include Poland’s Working Holiday (down by 200), France’s Working Holiday (down by 385), and Belgium’s Working Holiday (down by 250). While some of these countries still have decent overall numbers, the raw decrease means more competition for fewer available places. 

Countries Still Waiting on Their Quota 

A handful of countries are currently marked as “To Be Announced” (TBA) for one or more IEC categories in 2025. Until IRCC releases those figures, applicants can only speculate about how many spots might become available. Countries in this situation include: 

• Germany: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op 

• Japan: Working Holiday 

• Czech Republic: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op 

• Chile: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op 

All these countries had fairly large quotas last year—especially Germany and Japan—so we can expect the eventual numbers to shape the overall IEC landscape significantly once they’re announced. 

Other Key Takeaways 

Variation by Category

It’s not unusual to see different changes across the three core categories (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op) within the same country. Some nations reduced Working Holiday spots drastically while slightly boosting Young Professionals or keeping International Co-op intact. If you’re eligible under more than one category, it’s worth comparing where demand—and competition—might be lower. 

Unlimited for Australia and Finland

Australia and Finland remain the easiest passports to have if you want an IEC work permit, as there’s no official cap on any stream. Still, that doesn’t mean you can delay your application for too long—nor does it mean your spot is guaranteed. It’s always a good idea to enter the pool as early as possible if you want to come to Canada through IEC in 2025.  

Keep an Eye on Updates

IRCC often revises numbers later in the year. If your country has a particularly high demand, or if you’re worried about a dwindling quota, create a free Moving2Canada account to learn everything you need to know about your odds of receiving an invitation, how to enter the pool (including videos), and more. 

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, understanding the new quotas is only your first step. The next is to monitor pool openings, stay informed about any TBA figures, gather your documents, and plan your arrival timeline accordingly. For some, it may even mean creating alternative plans to come to Canada via another program.  

Even if your country’s quota dropped this year, you may still have a chance if you apply as early as possible and stay on top of IRCC updates. The IEC remains one of the best ways for young people to live, work, and explore Canada—just be sure you keep a close watch on the numbers so you can snag a spot before they fill up. 

Register for your Moving2Canada account today for real-time updates on IEC odds, and so much more.