International Experience Canada - IEC 2025 Season Is Now Open

Last Updated On 19 December 2024, 11:59 AM EST (Toronto Time)

The new season of International Experience Canada – IEC 2025 has officially begun, with the pools now open to eligible candidates as of December 16, 2024.

If you’ve been dreaming of working and exploring Canada, now is the time to act.

Candidates can create their profiles online and begin preparing for the first round of invitations, scheduled to take place during the week of January 13, 2025.

Acting early is key to maximizing your chances of success since Canada is expected to reduce the annual allocation for IEC in 2025.

What Is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program that offers young individuals from partner countries the opportunity to work and travel in Canada.

It comprises three distinct categories:

Working Holiday
- This program is ideal for those seeking the freedom to work for any employer in Canada.
- Participants receive an open work permit, allowing them to change jobs and locations while living in Canada.
Young Professionals
- Designed for those looking to gain professional Canadian work experience.
- Applicants need a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
- This program issues employer-specific work permits, meaning you must work for the same employer at the specified location.
International Co-op
- Tailored for international students needing to complete an internship or work placement in Canada as part of their academic program.
- Participation is limited to placements required by the student’s studies.

What’s New for IEC 2025?

The 2025 IEC season brings several updates, including changes to program fees and quotas. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new:

Increased IEC Fee
- The IEC fee has been raised to CAD $179.75, up from CAD $172 in 2024.
Quotas and Allocation Changes
- While full quotas and timelines for all countries are yet to be announced, here are some notable updates based on available information:
  - France: The Working Holiday and Young Professionals quotas have decreased by over 2,000 spots combined, but the International Co-op program has seen an increase of nearly 3,000 spots.
  - United Kingdom: Specific quotas are yet to be revealed, but IRCC has indicated a redistribution of Working Holiday quotas to improve selection chances.
  - South Korea: While the Working Holiday quota has decreased by 1,625 spots, quotas for the Young Professionals and International Co-op programs have increased by the same amount, keeping the total allocation unchanged.
  - Taiwan: The Working Holiday quota has been reduced by 2,240 spots, marking the most significant decrease among participating countries.
  - Australia: Historically, Australians enjoyed unlimited quotas for all categories. However, the absence of an announced quota suggests potential limitations for 2025.

Why Apply Early for IEC 2025?

Submitting your profile early increases your chances of receiving an invitation.

Invitations are issued through a randomized lottery system, and early submission ensures your profile is considered in multiple rounds of invitations.

The first round will commence the week of January 13, 2025, for select countries.

IEC 2025 Quota For Working Holiday Visas

Country	IEC 2025 Quota
Andorra	25
Australia	To be announced
Austria	100
Belgium	750
Chile	To be announced
Costa Rica	To be announced
Croatia	85
Czech Republic	To be announced
Denmark	350
Estonia	110
Finland	425
France	6,615
Germany	To be announced
Greece	180
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region	200
Iceland	120
Ireland	To be announced
Italy	1,750
Japan	To be announced
Korea, Republic	10,000
Latvia, Republic	40
Lithuania	175
Luxembourg	To be announced
Netherlands	To be announced
New Zealand	2,500
Norway	130
Poland	435
Portugal	To be announced
San Marino	25
Slovakia	315
Slovenia	80
Spain	800
Sweden	350
Taiwan	940
United Kingdom	To be announced

IEC Working Holiday Visa 2025 Quota

IEC 2025 Quota For Young Professionals

Country	IEC 2025 Quota
Australia	To be announced
Austria	60
Chile	To be announced
Costa Rica	To be announced
Croatia	10
Czech Republic	To be announced
Estonia	10
Finland	50
France	2,080
France – VIE	945
Germany	To be announced
Greece	10
Ireland	To be announced
Italy	200
Korea, Republic	1,500
Latvia, Republic	8
Lithuania	20
Luxembourg	To be announced
Netherlands	To be announced
Norway	15
Poland	110
Portugal	To be announced
Slovakia	30
Slovenia	15
Spain	120
Spain – IV	50
Sweden	40
Switzerland	200
Taiwan	50
United Kingdom	To be announced

IEC Young Professionals Quota For 2025

IEC 2025 Quota For International Co-op (Internships)

Country	IEC 2025 Quota
Australia	To be announced
Austria	20
Chile	To be announced
Costa Rica	To be announced
Croatia	5
Czech Republic	To be announced
Estonia	5
Finland	25
France	3950
Germany	To be announced
Greece	10
Ireland	To be announced
Italy	50
Korea, Republic	500
Latvia, Republic	2
Lithuania	5
Luxembourg	To be announced
Norway	5
Poland	5
Portugal	To be announced
Slovakia	5
Slovenia	5
Spain	30
Sweden	10
Switzerland	50
Taiwan	10
United Kingdom	To be announced

IEC International Co-op quota for 2025

How to Prepare for IEC 2025

If you’re interested in participating in IEC 2025, follow these steps to prepare:

Check Your Eligibility
- Verify your eligibility for one of the three IEC programs. Use tools like free online quizzes or consult the IRCC website for eligibility criteria.
Create Your IEC Profile
- Log in to your IRCC account to create a new profile. If you’ve participated in previous IEC seasons, you must create a new profile for 2025.
Submit Your Profile
- Once your profile is ready, submit it to the IEC pools. Early submission ensures you’re considered for all invitation rounds.
Prepare for the Work Permit Application
- If you receive an invitation, you’ll need to act quickly. You have 10 days to accept or decline the invitation. Upon acceptance, you’ll have 20 days to submit your work permit application.
Stay Updated
- Monitor updates from IRCC about quotas and invitation rounds to stay informed and adapt your strategy accordingly.

How IEC Works

The IEC process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Here’s how it works:

Submit a Profile
- Create and submit your profile through your IRCC account. Ensure all details are accurate and complete.
Receive an Invitation
- Invitations are issued weekly through a randomized lottery. Being in the pool early increases your chances of being selected.
Submit a Work Permit Application
- Once invited, accept the invitation within 10 days. Then, submit your work permit application within the next 20 days.

The 2025 International Experience Canada season offers a fantastic opportunity to work, travel, and grow in Canada.

With program updates, fee changes, and quota reallocations, acting early and preparing thoroughly will help you secure your spot.

Create your profile today and take the first step toward an unforgettable Canadian adventure!

Countries eligible for Working Holiday Visas (IEC 2025)

Andorra

Australia

Croatia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Korea Republic

Luxembourg

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Poland

Portugal

San Marino

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

Austria

Belgium

Chile

Costa Rica

France

Hong Kong

Japan

Latvia

Lithuania

Slovakia

Taiwan

List of countries eligible for working holiday visas

What is the processing time for International Experience Canada?

6 weeks is the average processing time for International Experience Canada work permits for most (80%) of the applications.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.