What is the "IEC pool"?

Everything you need to know

The IEC pool works like a big draw where everyone creates a profile and waits to be selected. You can think of it like a raffle: you put your name in and hope it gets picked. During the invitation rounds, a computer randomly selects a certain number of people from the pool (usually once a week). Each country has its own pool and its own quota of spots.

When does the IEC pool open?

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program usually opens its pools around December, and they stay open throughout the year. This means you can submit your profile at any time during that period. In October, the pools close for a few weeks so the program can get ready for the next season before opening again.

Check the 2026 pool status >> here

When did the IEC pools open in the past?

Here’s a quick look at when the IEC pools opened in previous years. While the exact dates can shift slightly, they usually open and close around the same time each season.

Pool opened

  • December 19, 2022
  • December 11, 2023
  • December 16, 2024

First invitation round

  • January 9, 2023
  • January 8, 2024
  • January 13, 2025

Pool closed

  • October 13, 2023
  • October 21, 2024
  • October 20, 2025

How many invitation rounds are there?

IRCC never discloses the exact number of invitation rounds or when the next one is. However, they announce:

  • the date of the first round at the beginning of the IEC season
  • the date of the final round one week before the end of the season. 

During the IEC season, invitation rounds usually happen about once a week. In each round, a set number of invitations are sent to candidates in the pool.

The first few rounds have the most invitations to kick off the season with a high volume of applications. As the season goes on, the number of invitations decreases.

Then, in the summer, there’s often a short pause of 1–2 weeks with no invitation rounds. This gives processing officers time to catch up on the large number of submitted applications.

After the break, invitations continue until the season ends, usually around October. 

How do IEC invitation rounds work?

  1. First, you determine your eligibility for the IEC category (Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op). 
  2. Submit your IEC profile to enter your country’s pool. Only apply for the category where you meet the requirements. 
  3. Wait for an invitation, they are usually sent out weekly between Monday and Thursday.
  4. If you’re selected, you’ll receive an email notification.
    • You will see this notification as a PDF in your GCKey account.
    • It is your ‘Invitation to Apply’ (ITA)
    • Tip: Notifications can sometimes end up in your spam folder, so check your account regularly.
  5. After getting an invitation, don’t forget the deadlines:

    • You have 10 days to accept the invitation.

    • After accepting, you have 20 days to submit your full application.

A very important information for all IEC applicants

Entering the wrong category or pool is a common mistake, especially for repeat IEC participants or those who already have a job lined up in Canada.

Invitations are issued in the following order of the categories:

  1. International Co-op (Internship)
  2. Young Professionals
  3. Working Holiday

Example:

If you enter both the Working Holiday and Young Professionals pools, the system gives priority to Young Professionals, sending invitations from that pool first. That means you’ll receive an invitation for the Young Professionals category.

Then, your profile will be blocked for invitations from other categories, so even if you’re also in the Working Holiday pool, you won’t receive an invitation from there.

If you decline the invitation in the hopes to get a Working Holiday invitation, it won’t work. This means that as long as there are spots available in the Young Professionals pool, you will only receive invitations from that pool. 

What to do if you get a Young Professionals invitation but wanted a Working Holiday.

If you receive an invitation from the Young Professionals pool but your goal was a Working Holiday, you’ll need to start over, as your profile was in the wrong pool.

  1. Decline the invitation from the Young Professionals category.
  2. Delete your current profile from the IEC pool.
  3. Create a new profile.
  4. Answer “No” when asked about a job offer.
  5. Select only the Working Holiday category to re-enter the Working Holiday pool.
  6. Wait for a new invitation for the Working Holiday category.

Is the IEC pool "first come, first served"?

The IEC pool doesn’t work on a “first come, first served” basis. IRCC usually sends the first round of invitations a few weeks after the pool opens, typically in January. Whether you submit your profile on the first day or a week later doesn’t matter—everyone in the pool has the same chance of being selected in that first draw. Invitations are sent randomly, so applying early doesn’t boost your chances.

What really matters is getting your profile into the pool before invitation rounds begin. As long as you’re in the pool when the draws start, your odds are the same as everyone else’s.

What’s even more important:

Take your time to make sure your profile is accurate and complete — it’s more important to get it right than to submit it quickly. Double-check for any typos before submitting.

Remember, key details like your name, birth date, and passport number will be greyed out in your IEC profile and cannot be changed later in the process.

How long does it take to receive an invitation from the IEC pool?

Keep in mind that being in the IEC pool doesn’t guarantee an invitation. The pool works like a lottery: a computer randomly selects a set number of candidates at irregular intervals, usually once a week, throughout the season.

This means an invitation could come after a week, a month, or even several months. Generally, your best chances are at the start of the season when there are fewer applicants. However, it’s also possible that you might not receive an invitation before the season ends. It really comes down to luck.

While the pool is open, the government updates the numbers every Friday, showing how many spots are left and how many people are waiting. This can help you get a sense of your chances of receiving an invitation.

To see the odds for your country, select your country here. (only while the pools are open)

I’m planning to apply for the IEC in July or August — is that a bad idea?

Generally, applying midway through the season means fewer spots are available, so your chances of getting an invitation are lower. It also increases the risk of not receiving an invitation at all that season.

Of course, this depends on your country’s pool, the number of applicants, and how many spots are still left. For example, Australia has unlimited spots, so all candidates received invitations in 2025, while other countries have set quotas and higher competition.

Let’s take the UK Working Holiday pool as an example from season 2025

The 2025 UK Working Holiday Pool started with 9,000 spots. Half way through the season over 14,000 invitations were already issued. This happens with all pools because many applicants:

  • decline their invitation,
  • miss the 10 day deadline to respond to the invitation,
  • miss the 20 day deadline to submit their application,
  • withdraw their application voluntarily, or
  • are refused for various reasons.

As a result, the system compensates by sending out more invitations to ensure all available spots are eventually filled.

What are some common reasons an IEC application might be refused? Many of these reasons are preventable.

In this section, you’ll learn about the mistakes you can avoid to increase your chances of success.

Later in July, 660 extra spots were added to the UK pool. However, by August 8, the number of available spots had dropped to just 54, while the pool had grown to 780 candidates, far exceeding the remaining spots.

At the end of the season, when the pools closed in October, the final update showed that 3,172 applicants didn’t get an invitation and missed out.

When is the best time to apply into the IEC pools?

If you are applying for the first time

If you plan to travel to Canada within the next 12 months, you can apply anytime while the IEC pools are open.

The best time to apply is as soon as the IEC season opens, usually in December. Applying early increases your chances of being selected because:

  • There are fewer applicants at the start of the season.
  • The first few invitation rounds send out the highest number of invitations.

If you are applying for a second IEC - Timing tips

If you are planning to apply for a second International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit, plan your pool entry carefully to maximize your total work time in Canada.

As you know, once your new IEC is approved, you will have 12 months to activate the work permit. Therefore, calculate the timing of entering the IEC pool. If you apply too early, you might end up losing valuable time on your current work permit.

For example:

  • You still have 18 months left on your current work permit. 
  • If you apply into the pool now, and get an approval (POE letter) fast, your 12 months for activation will start ticking from the POE approval date. It means you will lose 5-6 months from your current work permit. Makes sense? 

My tip:

  • At the start of the IEC season, invitations and approvals move quickly,
    • apply when you have around 12 months left on your current permit.
  • Towards the end of the season, processing and invitations take longer,
    • in that case, apply when you have about 15 months left on your permit.

How do I apply into the IEC pools?

The IEC process is very simple and easy to follow. >> Here’s your free step-by-step guide to applying for an IEC in Canada. Start with Step 1 and follow each step in order to make sure you don’t miss anything along the way.

What do I need to register in the IEC pool?

To register in the IEC pool, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid passport from a country that participates in the IEC program. Before applying, make sure to check your passport’s expiration date. If your passport is expiring soon, there are two options you could consider.

Option 1 (best option):

  • Renew your passport before applying, and use the new passport for your application.
  • Using a new passport helps avoid the need to update documents or apply for work permit extensions later.
  • This also ensures that your approval (POE), and your eTA, are correctly linked to your new passport.

Option 2 (only if you have some time until you plan to travel to Canada):

  • Apply using your current (old but still valid) passport.
  • Once you receive your approval (POE), renew your passport before you travel to Canada to activate your work permit.
  • If you are flying to Canada, you will need to apply for a new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) linked to your new passport, even if you already had one for the old passport. You can apply for a new eTA >> here.
  • At the time of entry into Canada, show both your old passport (or a copy of it) and your new passport to the border officer.

Can I create a profile before the pool opens?

No, you will not be able to create a pool profile before the season opens. You will receive an error message. 

Do I have to apply online, or can I also do it on paper?

The IEC application process is completely online and must be done through the official IEC pools. You can’t apply by mail, at an embassy, at the border or airport, or at a Visa Application Centre. Everything happens online. There are no exceptions for any of the IEC countries.

I have two citizenships; can I apply into both pools at the same time?

You can only have one IEC profile per passport. If you try to submit multiple profiles with the same passport, the system will show an error, and you could be removed or banned from the process.

However, if you have two citizenships (for example UK and Ireland) with valid passports, you can apply to each country’s IEC pool using separate GCKey accounts.

That said, if you’re selected from one pool, you must delete your profile in the other, because you cannot use two POEs at the same time since each POE is valid for only 12 months.

Do I need a job to apply into the IEC pools?

No, you do not need a job to enter the IEC pool. You only need to meet the eligibility requirements for your country and category, such as age and citizenship. 

For the Working Holiday category, no job offer is required at any stage of the application process.

However, if you are selected from the pool, the Young Professionals and International Co-op categories require a job or internship offer to complete your work permit application. You should only apply to these two categories if you meet all the specific requirements. 

Do I have a better chance in the Working Holiday pool if I have a job lined up?

No, you don’t need a job for the Working Holiday, and having one doesn’t affect your chances of getting an invitation. In the Working Holiday pool, everyone is treated equally. For example, someone with a university degree has the same chance of receiving an invitation as a young traveller applying right after high school.

Your education or work experience only matters for the Young Professional category.

I received an invitation before the pool closed, will my profile be deleted too?

No — your profile will not be deleted when the pool closes, as long as you’ve already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Here’s what happens:

  • Once you receive an invitation, your application moves into the next stage of the IEC process.
  • Even if the pool closes for the season, you’ll still have your full 10 days to accept or decline the invitation, and 20 days (after accepting) to submit your complete work permit application.
  • Your profile only gets removed after the pool closes if you haven’t received an invitation by that time.

So don’t worry — if you’re invited before the pool closes, you’re still in the process.

Understanding your status: candidate vs. applicant

  • While in the pool, you are simply a candidate — someone waiting to be chosen to apply.
  • You are not in the pool anymore once you’ve received an invitation and applied for a work permit. 
  • If you’ve been invited before the pool closes, you’ve become an ‘applicant‘ — and your profile won’t be deleted.

My country shows 0 spots available — why is the IEC pool still open?

Even when the spots show as “0,” the pool stays open because people often decline their invitations or get refused, which frees up that spot for others. Some applicants also withdraw before applying, or don’t finish their applications in time. When that happens, those unused spots go back to the pool quota. So you could be next. 

In short, the IEC pool is never truly “empty” until the season officially ends. There’s always movement as applicants change their minds or don’t meet the requirements.

My country shows 0 spots available — does that mean my chances are gone?

Not necessarily! As long as the IEC pool remains open, you still have a chance to receive an invitation.

The number of available spots in the pool can change at any time because:

  • Some applicants decline their invitations.
  • Some let their invitations expire.
  • Others miss deadlines and receive a refusal.
  • Some work permit applications are refused for other reasons.

When any of these things happen, those spots become available again — and one of them could go to you.

Also, not all hope is lost if you don’t receive an invitation in one season. The next IEC pool opens just a few weeks after the previous one closes. When it does, the quota for each country is reset, giving you excellent chances to be selected again. 

I already have a POE from a past application but never used it; can I apply into the pool again?

Yes, absolutely! If you never used your POE (you didn’t travel to Canada to activate the work permit) and still meet the IEC requirements, you can create a new profile and re-apply. However, you must wait until your old POE has expired before submitting a new profile.

For example, if your old POE expires in July, you can only create a new profile in the IEC pool in July, after the expiration date printed on your POE.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to start the process from scratch and pay all the application fees again. The only exception is your biometrics — they’re valid for 10 years and can be reused for future temporary applications.

If I am not selected in one season, can I apply again in the new season?

Yes, absolutely!

If you’re not selected in one IEC season, you can apply again in the next, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements (age, nationality, and program criteria).

Here’s how it works:

  • When a new IEC season opens, quotas for each country reset.
  • You need to create a new profile — your old one doesn’t carry over.
  • Once you reapply, you’ll be considered for the next round of invitations, just like any new applicant.

It’s a common misconception that if you weren’t invited one year, you can’t try again — you absolutely can, as long as you meet the requirements. 

I’m 35, if I don’t get an invitation to apply before my 36th birthday will I automatically be removed?

Yes your profile will be removed from the IEC pool on your 36th birthday. Your profile will also be removed when the IEC season ends in October. To stay in the process, you’ll need to re-enter the pool once it reopens, usually in December, as long as you are still under 36 years old.

Keep in mind that age limits vary by country. The chart below shows each country and its corresponding age limit.

I received an invitation from the IEC pool but I am not ready yet; can I decline?

Yes, you can decline an invitation if you’re not ready, and there are no consequences for doing so.

To stay in the pool:

Decline the invitation, then your profile remains in the IEC pool for future invitation rounds during the same season, giving you another chance to be selected. Keep in mind that selection is random, so there is no guarantee you will receive another invitation.

How to decline an invitation:

  1. Log in to your account and go to the section “Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted.”
  2. Find the application labeled “Work permit.”
  3. Click “Decline application.”

Exit the pool:

If you want to exit the IEC pool completely and apply later, you must both decline the invitation and delete your profile. You can re-enter the pool whenever you’re ready.

Always remember, what I mentioned further above: Halfway through the season, the chances of receiving invitations are lower, so there’s a risk you might miss out on a new invitation.

Will the chances for invitations worsen, if I decline an invitation in the IEC pool?

No — declining an invitation doesn’t lower your chances for future invitations. There are no penalties, and your chances stay the same.

If you decline your invitation, your profile stays in the pool as long as it’s still open and you meet the eligibility requirements. You can still be selected in the next invitation rounds during the same season. 

If I don't receive an invitation, will I be notified?

As long as you meet the age requirement, your profile stays in the pool until the end of the season and takes part in every invitation round. There will not be any notification if you didn’t get picked in an invitation round. 

The only three messages you will receive when you are in the pool:
  • welcome to the pool letter (after you created the profile)
  • invitation to apply letter (if you are invited)
  • letter that your profile was removed from the pools (when the pool closes, and you were not invited)

What do I do if I don't receive an invitation before the season closes?

You can try your luck again in the next season. At the end of each season, all profiles are removed from the pool, so every new applicant starts fresh. When the new season opens, the quota of each country is reset, and all spots become available again, giving you another chance to be selected.

I didn't receive an invitation before the season closed, can I use the same account to re-apply?

Yes, you can use the same GCKey account to re-apply into the pool. 

I have a POE, and my country allows two participations; can I apply for another IEC in the same season?

No. If you’ve already received your POE in one season and your country allows two participations; you cannot apply for a second IEC in the same season. You’ll need to wait until the next season to apply again.

For example, if you’re from Italy, which allows two IEC participations, and you apply in December 2025 and receive your POE, you would have to wait until December 2026 to apply for your next IEC participation.

My profile is now in the IEC pool; what's next?

You don’t need to do anything right now except keep an eye on your email and IRCC account for a notification with an Invitation to Apply (ITA). While you wait, you can get prepared so you can move quickly if you receive an invitation.

Find out >>here<< which documents you need and what’s most important.

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