IRCC Delivers Disappointing News for Working Holiday Applicants

With the program nearing its annual quota, a Working Holiday draw is unlikely next week. More concerning for applicants, however, is whether this signals an early slowdown in the program after just six rounds of invitations.

We take a closer look at the situation and explain why there’s still hope for Working Holiday applicants.

Key Takeaways

• IRCC has marked the odds of receiving an invitation in the next IEC round (week of February 24th) as very low for all Working Holiday applicants.

• No Need to Panic for Most Applicants – The number of available spots still exceeds the number of candidates in the pool, meaning many still have a chance.

• Given the uncertainty and competition of the Working Holiday program, it’s wise to consider other pathways, such as the Young Professionals stream.

• Stay Informed & Ready – IRCC policies can change, so monitor updates, stay flexible, and have a backup plan for working in Canada.

Is The Working Holiday Program Nearing Capacity?

So far, nearly 40,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued under Canada’s IEC program, with approximately 35,000 of these going to Working Holiday applicants. This is out of a total Working Holiday quota of 50,000 for 2025 (Although Australia and Finland have unlimited quotas).

This slowdown suggests that the Working Holiday program may already be tapering off for 2025 after just six rounds of invitations, highlighting the importance of applying early to the IEC program.

What this Means for Working Holiday Applicants

While the Working Holiday stream appears to be slowing down, there is no need for most Working Holiday candidates to panic. The pool is growing quickly, but there are still fewer candidates in the pool overall than there are spots available.

Currently, there are 29,000 spots available with 24,000 candidates in the pool. However, if you exclude the 13,000+ people in the French Working Holiday pool for just over 2,500 spots, there are only 11,000 candidates for 26,500 spots.

So, while this is bad news for French citizens who genuinely have a very low chance of working holiday success (French citizens, check out our article on alternatives to the IEC program), other Working Holiday hopefuls shouldn’t be too concerned.

Will IRCC Change The Working Holiday Quotas for 2025?

It’s possible that the break for all working holiday programs next week might be an internal response from IRCC to adjust the quotas.

Last year, IRCC made fairly significant changes to the quotas to adjust them for the very high demand for the working holiday program. The changes we saw in the quotas last year made noticeable differences for certain programs. For some programs, it moved the odds of receiving an invitation from very low to very high.

What IEC Hopefuls Should Do Now

Don’t Panic but Be Prepared

While IRCC may be pausing Working Holiday draws, prospective applicants should still enter the IEC pool for a chance to receive an ITA when the draws resume.

Explore Alternative Pathways

Since Working Holiday draws are uncertain, it’s wise to consider other ways to gain work experience in Canada. One strong option is the Young Professionals stream. Although this route requires applicants to have a job offer from a Canadian company, the odds of success remain excellent for most IEC countries except and Costa Rica.

Stay Informed

IRCC policies and draw schedules can change quickly. To maximise opportunities, stay updated on official announcements and be ready to adapt your immigration plans. Flexibility and a proactive approach will be key to making your Canadian work and travel goals a reality in 2025.