IEC 2026 season: everything we know (dates, invitations, quotas)

Australian readers only: IEC quotas are uncapped for Australian applicants, so you can disregard language in this article around “winning the lottery”, since you’re guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply. However, you still need to follow all the same application steps as everyone else, including joining the IEC pool.

The 2026 International Experience Canada season is now open!

You can now join the pool! Learn how.

What hasn’t been announced yet:

The 2026 quotas for each country and IEC category
The date of the first round of invitations

If you already have an account on the canada.ca from a previous season, you can use the same account. In the first few days of the 2026 season opening, many users have reported encountering various error messages and inaccurate information when trying to join the pools. The government of Canada is aware of this and working to resolve the technical issues. You can try again in a couple of days, once the website stabilizes.

In order to participate in IEC, it’s essential that you follow all the steps correctly. Make sure to read our free IEC application guide.

Frequently asked questions

If I wasn't drawn from the pools in the 2025 season, will I automatically be registered in the 2026 pools?

No, any profiles that are not selected by the end of the 2025 season are automatically deleted from the pools. You have to submit your profile to the pools again.

Which website should I use to register for the 2026 season?

There is only one official website: Canada.ca. Beware of any scam websites.

Although you can’t apply on our website, Pvtistes.net does have a step-by-step tutorial that helps thousands of you submit your application without mistakes each year.

Is it true I can use an organisation to bypass the lottery draws?

There are currently Recognised Organisations (ROs) that have been approved by the Government of Canada. Candidates will pay an RO to guarantee a secured IEC spot, so they don’t have to wait to be drawn from the pools at random.

However, you can no longer count on using an RO. They are victims of their own success; they have limited space on their waitlists and receive increasingly high demand.

Is it free to register for the 2026 season?

Yes, it is free to submit your profile to the pools. You only pay the application fee if you are selected from the pools and you go ahead and complete the application.

If you want to use an RO (mentioned above), you will need to pay their fee if you get a spot.

Do I have a better chance of being selected if I’m applying for a second participation?

Some nationalities are eligible to take part in IEC more than once (check your nationality here). However, the random lottery system still applies, regardless of how many times you’ve participated.

You will be in the same pool as people applying for the first time, and there is no greater or lesser chance of being selected if you have already participated in IEC before.

Am I more likely to be selected from the pools if I can prove I already have a job offer in Canada?

No, having a job offer in Canada doesn’t make a difference. You still have to wait and see if you are drawn at random from the pools.

What documents do I need to provide during the application process?

To submit your profile to the pools, all you need is a valid passport. If you are drawn from the pools and invited to apply, you will need to provide other documents as part of the application process. Learn more about the supporting documents you will need here.

When will the 2026 rounds of invitation take place?

If this new season works like the previous ones, the draws will take place weekly, though there can be some weeks where no invitations go out. Based on our experience, the first round of invitations is most likely to happen on January 5, 12, or 19. The date has yet to be announced.

Remember, if you are selected and receive an invitation to apply, you only have 10 days to accept the invitation. If you wait more than 10 days, you will lose your invitation and your profile will be automatically removed from the pool.

Is it possible to never be selected from the pools?

Yes. It would be bad luck if, after multiple years of trying, your profile still didn’t get drawn from the pools, but it’s possible.

Your chances depend how popular IEC is among applicants of your nationality. If you are from the UK, Ireland, or New Zealand, your chances of being selected some time in the year are very high. Australians are guaranteed to receive an invitation, since their quota is unlimited.

How many candidates are there each year?

This varies greatly by nationality. The best way to track how many people from your nationality are applying is by reviewing the weekly numbers. This will show how many candidates have joined the pool, how many invitations to apply have been sent so far in the season, and how many spots are left to fill.

What should I do if I’ve been selected from the pools but my partner hasn’t? We want to go to Canada as a couple.

It’s a classic question! Every year, some couples will be faced with the dilemma where only one partner receives an invitation to apply. When this happens, the other partner must find a plan B to move to Canada (see next FAQ for more options).

They may be able to benefit from their partner’s IEC permit by applying for a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). However, the eligibility criteria has been made stricter this year, making it harder to qualify for a SOWP. Learn more.

If I don't get selected in the 2026 IEC season, what are my other options for moving to Canada?

If you’re not in a rush to make the move, you can wait for the 2027 IEC season to open and try again by rejoining the pools.

If you want to try and secure a different type of permit, we cover the alternatives (study permits, closed work permits, etc.) in All permit and visa options for going to Canada.