IEC Working Holiday from Pool to Work Permit in Canada

To kick things off in my new role, I want to share my own journey: from dreaming about moving to Canada to finally landing with my work permit in hand (and later, my dog by my side!). 

In this piece, I’ll walk you through:

• Planning – How I checked eligibility, gathered documents, and entered the IEC pool.
  
• Applying – What happened after I got my Invitation to Apply (ITA), from paperwork to final approval.
• Arriving – The reality of landing in Canada, settling in, and getting life started on the right foot.

If you’re thinking about joining the IEC program, my hope is that this story will give you a real, first-hand sense of what the process feels like. Including the wins, the waits, and the things I wish I’d known sooner.

Let’s start at the very beginning: how it all kicked off with planning.

Planning My IEC Working Holiday: From Dreaming to the Pool

When I first started looking into the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program, it felt like stepping into the unknown. Canada had always been on my mind, but figuring out the process? That was another story.

Here’s how it all began, what I learned, what I wish I’d done sooner, and what it really feels like to go from “thinking about it” to actually landing in the IEC pool.

Checking if I Could Even Do This

The very first thing I did was check if I was eligible. It turns out not every country participates, and each one has its own age limits, quotas, and rules. Luckily for me, the UK does, and at 28, I was still within the age bracket.

Next came choosing the right IEC category. There are three: Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op. I wanted flexibility to work anywhere and try different jobs, so Working Holiday was the obvious choice.

Creating My IEC Profile

Once I knew I qualified, I created my IEC profile on the IRCC portal. Honestly, it looked more intimidating than it actually was. It’s mostly basic information, and you get 60 days to fill it in, so there’s no need to rush.

When I finally hit “submit,” I got my Welcome to Pool letter on February 28, 2025.

I thought it would feel like a big moment, and in a way it was, but it was also oddly anticlimactic. You’re technically in, but all you can do now is wait.

Waiting for the Invitation

This part was harder than I expected. Every draw day, I’d log into my account, refreshing to see if there was any update. Weeks passed like that.

Then finally, on March 17, 2025, I got my Invitation to Apply (ITA). That was the moment everything shifted. Up until then, it felt like just an idea. Now it was real.

What I Learned in the Planning Stage

Looking back, there are a few things I wish I’d done earlier:

• Start on your documents before the ITA. Police certificates, photos, passport renewals — they can all take longer than you expect.
  
• Know your timelines. You only get 10 days to accept the ITA, then 20 days to submit everything.
  
• Budget more than you think. Flights, insurance, housing deposits… it adds up fast.
  

What’s Next

Getting the ITA was a turning point, but it was only the beginning. In the next part of this series, I’ll share what it’s like to actually go through the application process — the forms, the biometrics, the fees, and finally, that golden Letter of Introduction.

For now, if you’re still waiting in the pool, trust me: it feels slow, but once the invite arrives, things start moving quickly.

Applying – From Invitation to Approval

When that Invitation to Apply (ITA) finally landed in my inbox on March 17, 2025, everything suddenly felt real. I’d been waiting for weeks, refreshing my account like it was a new hobby, and now here it was: the chance to actually apply for my Canadian Working Holiday visa.

Here’s what that part of the journey was like, from the forms and deadlines to the moment I got the final approval.

The 10-Day Countdown Begins

The first thing I noticed after opening my ITA was the timer. You only have 10 days to accept the invitation, and then 20 days from that point to submit the full application.

It felt like a lot to do in a short amount of time, but because I’d prepared some of my documents in advance, it was manageable.

The Application Checklist

The portal can look overwhelming at first, but once I broke it down, it wasn’t too bad. My main tasks were:

• Forms: Family Information form (IMM 5707), address/work/travel history — making sure there were no gaps in dates.
  
• Uploads: Passport bio page, digital photo (they have very specific requirements), CV, and police certificates.
  

Some documents take time. I didn’t have my police certificate when I first applied, but IRCC lets you upload proof that you’ve requested it if it won’t arrive in time.

Fees & Biometrics

Next came the fees: the IEC participation fee and the Open Work Permit Holder fee. Paying online was simple enough, but biometrics added another layer.

You have 30 days to give biometrics once requested, and depending on where you live, the nearest Visa Application Centre might be far. For me, it meant a trip to London on April 1, 2025, about a week after I submitted my application on March 23.

The Waiting (Again)

Once biometrics were done, it was more waiting, but this time, not for long. On April 11, 2025, I got my Letter of Introduction.

That letter is gold. It means you’re approved, and you can now enter Canada within 12 months and activate your work permit at the border.

Takeaways From the Application Stage

• Start documents early. Even if you’re still waiting in the pool, get what you can ready.
  
• Watch the deadlines. Ten days to accept, 20 days to apply, and everything is in UTC, so check the time zones carefully.
  
• Book biometrics fast. Some locations fill up quickly, especially in busy seasons.
  

Next up was the big moment: booking my flight to Canada and preparing for the landing itself. In the next article, I’ll share what it was like to actually arrive in Canada and navigate those first few weeks.

Arriving – From Landing to Settling In

By the time I got my Letter of Introduction on April 11, 2025, I was buzzing with excitement. This was the final step, the one that made all the waiting, forms, and fees worth it.

I booked my flight for July 12, 2025, from Edinburgh to Toronto. That was the day it all became real: moving to Canada on a Working Holiday visa.

Landing in Canada

When you arrive, immigration officers at the border will check your documents. For me, they only asked for my Letter of Introduction and proof of health insurance, but I carried everything — application copies, proof of funds, biometrics receipt just in case.

A few minutes later, I had my work permit in hand. That moment? Pure relief.

First Weeks in Canada

The first few weeks were a blur of practical tasks:

• Getting my SIN number (you need this for work).
  
• Opening a bank account.
  
• Setting up a phone plan.
  
• Starting the search for housing and work opportunities.
  

It was exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. Canada felt massive, and I was still adjusting to everything being new.

Flying Back for My Dog

I’d made the decision to travel alone at first, so I could get settled before bringing my dog over. A month later, I flew back to the UK, got all her vet documents and flight arrangements sorted, and returned with her.

Some people bring pets on the first trip, but for me, splitting it up made it less stressful. It gave me time to prepare a proper home for her here.

What I Learned About Arrival & Settling In

• Carry every document. Even if they don’t ask for it, you don’t want surprises at the border.
  
• Budget for setup costs. Furniture, deposits, and groceries add up fast.
  
• Give yourself time. It takes a few weeks to feel settled and grounded.
  

Moving to Canada on a Working Holiday visa was a whirlwind, but looking back, each stage – planning, applying, arriving had its own challenges and rewards.

If you’re starting your own journey, know this: the waiting can be tough, the paperwork can be tedious, but the moment you step out of the airport with your work permit in hand? It’s worth it.