NewImportant
CanadaVisas and rules
Canada IEC: application pools for the 2026 season have closed
- Officially announced
- Oct 19, 2026
- Effective from
- Oct 19, 2026
- Last checked
- Oct 22, 2026
Checked against official sources
Key points
- Country
- Canada
- Topic
- Visas and rules
- Who
- People who applied to IEC (Working Holiday) for the 2026 season; people who received an ITA and are completing their application; and people considering a Canadian Working Holiday in 2027.
- Effective date
- Oct 19, 2026
IRCC has closed the application pools for the 2026 season of International Experience Canada (IEC), which includes the Working Holiday category. The official page says "The pools for the 2026 season are closed." Profiles of people who did not receive an invitation (ITA) will be removed, and they will need to register again for the 2027 season.
ircc.canada.ca (external site)
What changed
All IEC pools for the 2026 season have closed; the page for Japan's Working Holiday category also says "This pool is now closed." Profiles of candidates who did not receive an ITA are removed from the pool (official page: "Your profile will be removed from the pool."); the account and GCKey can still be used.
IRCC says people who received an ITA can continue to submit their work permit application. The start date and quotas for the 2027 season have not been announced yet.
Who it applies to
- People who applied to IEC (Working Holiday) for the 2026 season; people who received an ITA and are completing their application; and people considering a Canadian Working Holiday in 2027.
When it applies
- Oct 19, 2026Officially announced
- Oct 19, 2026Effective from
Official page updated on 19 October 2026 (the closure of the 2026 season was confirmed on this page).
Exceptions
IRCC says it may issue a "very small number" of ITAs after the final round to fill places. If you received an ITA, follow the application deadline shown in your account, as deadlines differ by person.
Show details
Dates for the 2027 season reported in the news are not confirmed until officially announced.
What to check or do
- Always check the official page for the latest information and your individual situation.
- 1.
- If you received an ITA, check your deadline in your IRCC account and submit your work permit application before it.
- 2.
- If you did not receive an ITA, create a new profile when the 2027 pools open (2026 profiles are not carried over).
- 3.
- Check IRCC's "Rounds of invitations" page for 2027 season updates (IRCC also says to "Check back regularly").
Official sources
Related countries, cities, schools and guides
More updates on Canada
New
CanadaVisas and rulesCanada Express Entry: extra CRS points for high-wage occupations from 3 November
Officially announced Oct 16, 2026Source: canada.caChecked against official sources
New
CanadaTuitionVector International Academy: Tuition for Main course (full-time) 1 month checked against official sources
Officially announced Not confirmedSource: vectorinternational.caChecked against official sources
New
CanadaTuitionCoquitlam College: Tuition for University Transfer / Associate of Arts - Undergraduate (Spring 2027 pricing) checked against official sources
Officially announced Not confirmedSource: coquitlamcollege.comChecked against official sources
ircc.canada.ca (external site)
