New International Experience Canada (IEC) rounds of invitations sent out 2,967 invitations to apply (ITAs) for work permits under all categories as of October 23, 2023.
As of October 23, 2023, all the pools for the International Experience Canada 2023 season have been closed. However, candidates who have been invited can continue to complete and submit their work permit applications online.
If you haven’t received an invitation to apply for the 2023 season, your profile will be removed from the pool. Don’t worry, though! When the pools reopen in 2024, likely at the end of December 2023, you’ll have the opportunity to create a new profile. It’s a good idea to start preparing in advance for the upcoming season.
For those candidates who were in the pool for the 2023 season, your GCkey account will remain active. There’s no need to register for a new GCkey or create a new account for the IEC 2024 season.
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IEC 2023 Season: A Quick Look
Start of the IEC 2023: The International Experience Canada program starts its 2023 season on January 9, 2023. Since the 2023 International Experience Canada season began on January 9, Canada has issued 131,541 invites under three categories.
Canada’s Newcomer Target for 2023: In 2023, the IEC season began by welcoming 90,000 new people from 30 eligible countries. More spots will be available if needed.
New Spots For France
In the previous rounds of invitations, France received an additional allocation of 700 spots for the Working Holiday Visa program and an extra 750 spots for the Young Professionals category as part of the redistribution of country-specific quotas.
New Spots For Belgium, Chile, and Taiwan
In the previous rounds of invitations, the IEC 2023 program has added new slots in the Working Holiday Visa category, including 200 slots for Belgium, 2,500 slots for Chile, and 1,000 slots for Taiwan.
IEC 2023 Working Holiday Visa Quotas for Korea
In the previous rounds of invitations, the IEC 2023 Working Holiday visa quota for Korea, Republic was increased by 2,000, making a total of 8,500 visas available.
Stay Updated
Keep checking back for updates on the remaining spots and your chances of getting an invite. We’re here to keep you informed every step of the way in the IEC 2023 season.
Processing Time:
As per the latest processing update issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the processing time for the 2023 season of the International Experience Canada program is 6 weeks.
Working Holiday Visa Invitations:
The Working Holiday Visa category is the most popular option within the IEC program, providing an open work permit. This week, a total of 2,703 new open work permit invitations were sent out by the Working Holiday Visa category.
It is the biggest category in International Experience Canada which has already sent out 118,733 invitations in 2023.
The IEC Working Holiday Visa category has a set quota of 61,770 for young people from more than 33 eligible countries for 2023.
Here are some notable figures for specific countries:
Young Professionals Invitations:
The Young Professionals category is designed for individuals seeking employer-specific work permits for professional work experience. This week, 179 invitations were sent under the Young Professional category.
This year, a total of 8,235 work permit invitations were issued in the Young Professionals category.
Here’s a breakdown of specific country figures:
International Co-op (Internships) Invitations:
The International Co-op category is for students seeking closed work permits for internships related to their field of study. This week, 85 invitations were sent out under International Co-op (Internship).
Only 4,573 invitations were sent out in the least common category, International Co-op (Internship).
Here’s a breakdown of specific country figures:
What is International Experience Canada?
International Experience Canada is a set of programs offering young individuals a chance to explore the stunning landscapes and diverse culture of Canada while gaining professional work experience. The program operates based on reciprocal agreements between Canada and other countries, allowing young people to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
- It provides an open work permit, allowing individuals to work for any employer in Canada.
- There’s no need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for International Experience Canada applications.
- The approval process of IEC work permits involves a randomized draw system.
Three IEC Program Categories
International Experience Canada has three separate programs, each designed to meet the varying interests and needs of potential applicants:
- Working Holiday: This program allows individuals to work for any employer in Canada and is an excellent choice for those wishing to earn money while travelling in Canada.
- Young Professionals: This program is designed for those seeking professional development. It offers the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience in your field of study or profession.
- International Co-op (Internship): Specifically designed for students, this program allows candidates to gain valuable international work experience related to their field of study.
