Skip to content
city skyline near body of water during night time

International Experience Canada (IEC) Is Now Open For 2023


Last Updated On 10 January 2023, 10:06 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Today, the pools for the 2023 season of International Experience Canada (IEC) have been opened for new candidates. Eligible candidates can now create their profile online to participate in IEC 2023.

IEC 2023 first round of invitations will be sent on January 9, 2023. So, if you are eligible for IEC, then you should create your profile as it is always better being sooner than later.

On December 1, 2022 IRCC Minister Sean Fraser announced 20% increase in IEC quota. As a result, 90,000 youngsters can come to Canada from the partner countries.

Recently, IRCC included Italy to the IEC in all the categories on November 14, 2022. So, Italians aged 18 – 35 can also participate in IEC 2023 in all the categories.

This article delves into:

What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

IEC has 3 categories:

  1. Working Holiday—This visa is suitable for those who desire the freedom to work for any employer in Canada. Moreover, candidates under this scheme obtain an open work permit. This implies you can move jobs and locations while still residing in Canada.
  2. Young Professionals—Applicants under this category can gain Canadian work experience by working with a Canadian business. To apply, candidates must have a legitimate Canadian employment offer. However, because this programme provides an employer-specific work visa, you must work for the same company in the same place.
  3. International Co-op – Through this programme, international students can complete an internship or work placement in Canada. However, this is only true when it is a need.

IEC Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an IEC

  • Your country of citizenship should have an agreement with Canada
  • Your maximum age must be 35 years old

Full List of Countries Eligible For IEC 2023

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark (Danish citizens who reside in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are also eligible)
Estonia
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Ukraine
United Kingdom

How Can Indians, Brazilians, & Americans Participate In IEC 2023?

Although, IEC is only for above listed countries. Youth less than the age of 35 years old from India, Brazil, and the United States can also apply using a recognized organization (RO).

However, the options are limited. Below are the recognized organizations (ROs) that Indians, Brazilians, and Americans can use to participate in IEC 2023.

  1. AIESEC Canada is a non-profit organization that helps develop leadership in youth. AIESEC offers work permit for Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development.
    • Target market: Youth aged 18 to 30
    • Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, Brazil, India
  2. GO International is a Canadian organization that offers work and travel opportunities. They offer Working Holiday (open work permit).
    • Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
    • Eligible to: IEC countries/territories, the United States
  3. IAESTE offers opportunities in technical career-related jobs. They offer work permits for Young Professionals (employer-specific work permit) for career development and International Co-op (Internship) (employer-specific work permit) for students.
    • Target market: Youth aged 18 to 35
    • Eligible to: IEC countries and other IAESTE country partners (Including India, Nigeria, Brazil, and more)

Click here to create your profile for IEC 2023.


New Canada Working Holiday Visa Draw 2026 Latest Update

Canada has opened the 2026 season for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, with major waves of invitations under the Working Holiday Visa category sent so far as of February 13, 2026. As of February 13, 2026, the Working Holiday Visa category has already sent 30,972 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across participating countries and territories,…

Canada’s Open Work Permit: Here’s Who Can Apply In 2026

Canada’s open work permit is still one of the most flexible ways to work in Canada because it is not tied to a single employer. But the major tightening that took effect in the beginning of 2025 continues to shape who qualifies in 2026, especially for spouses and dependent children of international students and foreign…

New Canada Working Holiday Visa 2026 Season Is Now Open

Canada has officially opened the Working Holiday Visa as part of the International Experience Canada IEC 2026 season, marking the start of one of the most anticipated work and travel opportunities for young people around the world. With pools now open and the first rounds of invitations expected in January 2026, eligible candidates can begin…

New IRCC Fees Increase To Restore Status In Canada Now In Effect

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially implemented a new round of immigration fee increases effective December 1, 2025. These changes affect several immigration categories, including inadmissibility applications, status restoration, and International Experience Canada (IEC). These updates will now impact the total cost of applications for temporary residents, including international students and work permit…

New IEC 2025 Draws Sent 1,914 Canada Work Permit Invitations

In the week ending May 2, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,914 work permit invitations to IEC 2025 candidates, bringing the annual total to 65,267. The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is your ticket to living, working, and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Canada. Whether you’re eyeing a working holiday visa, young…

First IEC 2025 Draw Sent 10,274 Canada Work Permit Invitations

The International Experience Canada – IEC 2025 season has kicked off with a massive wave of opportunities for international youth. In the first rounds of invitations, ending on January 17, 2025, an impressive total of 10,274 work permit invitations were issued. This marks a strong start to a season that promises to facilitate cultural exchange…

International Experience Canada – IEC 2025 Season Is Now Open

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…

IEC 2024 (International Experience Canada) To End On Oct 21

Canada’s International Experience Canada-IEC 2024 season is nearing its end, as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the final round of invitations will take place during the week of October 21, 2024. To be eligible for this year’s program, prospective participants must act quickly and submit all new IEC profiles by 9 a.m.…

New Canadian Passport Renewal Changes Now In Effect

The Government of Canada has officially removed the cap on online passport renewal applications, effective July 28, 2026. Every eligible adult Canadian citizen whose home and mailing address are in Canada can now renew a passport entirely online without competing for a limited number of daily slots. The application, a commercially taken digital passport photo…

New OAS Payments Coming This Week With An Increase

Canadian seniors will receive their next Old Age Security – OAS payments and Guaranteed Income Supplement deposits on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and this payment carries the largest confirmed quarterly increase so far in 2026. The Canadian government has confirmed a 1.2% increase in OAS benefits for the July to September 2026 quarter, pushing maximum…

New Alberta AISH, ADAP, And Income Support Payments Coming This Week

Alberta’s next monthly assistance payments are scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and they cover the August 2026 assistance period. The same payment date applies to three separate programs: Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), the new Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP), and Income Support. Payments are issued in advance. The deposit lands about…

Canada’s PGWP Refusals Leave Hundreds Of Graduates In Limbo

Hundreds of international graduates in Alberta say Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) refused their post-graduation work permits over a single classification: “non-credit.” Most studied through continuing-education programs offered by Portage College and delivered at partner sites in Calgary and Edmonton. They finished their diplomas, applied for a PGWP, and then received refusal letters this…

New CPP Payments To Be Sent Canada-Wide On July 29

Millions of Canadians are about to see a new federal deposit; the CPP payments land in their accounts before the month ends. The next Canada Pension Plan payment is confirmed for Wednesday, July 29, 2026. This is the seventh of twelve scheduled deposits for the year and the last one before the August cycle begins.…

10 New Ontario Laws and Rules Coming In August 2026

Explore new Ontario laws and rules taking effect in August 2026, from OSAP changes to speed limit increases, municipal deadlines, and more. Stay informed on significant updates impacting students, drivers, seniors, and local policies.

Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of July 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time data on July 22, 2026, and this update is dominated by a continuing surge in citizenship certificate backlogs alongside meaningful improvement in several permanent residency streams. Citizenship certificate processing has now reached 19 months, with an additional 17,500 applicants joining the queue since the…

2 New IRCC Updates For Canada PR And Open Work Permit Applications

Two Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada – IRCC updates appeared on consecutive days this week, and both were written for officers rather than applicants. Neither arrived as a headline announcement, and neither is easy to find unless you already know where to look. One of them quietly expands what a person can apply for while…

New Canada Benefit Payments Still Coming In July 2026

The final week of July is bringing one of the busiest weeks for Canada benefit payment deposit days of the entire month for millions of Canadians. Several benefit programs already issued their July deposits earlier this month, but the biggest single payout day is still ahead. Pension deposits, disability payments, and provincial assistance cheques are…

Canada Now Has 1.5 Million Immigration Files Pending Decisions

Canada just changed the way it reports on its massive immigration file inventory, and the new numbers paint a picture the country has never seen before. For the first time, the federal government is publishing aggregate data showing what share of pending permanent residence files are actually in processing versus sitting in a queue waiting…

A Mid-2026 Review for Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs

Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan set the 2026 target for admissions under the Provincial Nominee Program at 91,500. This accounts for nearly 24 percent of overall permanent residence admissions into Canada. The first half of 2026 saw significant activity in the number of invitations to apply and nominations issued. Some provinces restructured their Provincial Nominee Programs…

Largest Manitoba PNP Draw Of 2026 Sends 2,146 Invitations

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program issued 2,146 Letters of Advice to Apply in Expression of Interest Draw #275 on July 16, 2026. This is the largest single MPNP draw of 2026 by a wide margin, surpassing every previous round conducted this year. The draw targeted five distinct pathways, with the completed post-secondary study in Manitoba…

Canada’s Foreign Worker Program Violations Rise As Penalties More Than Double

The federal government released its latest enforcement data, and the numbers tell a story that goes far beyond a routine compliance update. Penalties against non-compliant employers more than doubled in one year, 30 employers were banned from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and inspections focused on areas considered at higher risk of potential non-compliance. But…

New Data Breach Settlement Could Pay Canadians Up To $25,000

A proposed $35 million class action settlement could put up to $25,000 into the hands of Canadians whose personal information was compromised in a massive Capital One data breach. This data breach settlement, filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, covers Canadian residents outside Quebec who applied for or held a Capital One credit…

New Canada Law To Combat Hate Crimes Effective July 18

The Combatting Hate Act, officially known as Bill C-9, comes into force on July 18, 2026, exactly 30 days after receiving Royal Assent on June 18. Canada is enforcing one of the most significant expansions of its criminal justice framework in decades. This legislation creates entirely new criminal offences targeting hate-motivated conduct across the country.…

New Alberta and BC PNP Draws Sent 1,453 Permanent Residence Invitations

Two western Canadian provinces just opened the door for hundreds of skilled workers in 3 new PNP draws on July 15 and 16, 2026. Between July 14 and July 16, 2026, Alberta and British Columbia issued a combined 1,453 invitations to apply for permanent residence through their respective provincial nominee programs. Alberta accounted for 884…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Discover more from Immigration News Canada

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading