published on 16 January 2026 @ 3:34 pm · COMMENT

International Experience Canada Opens 2026 Season

The 2026 season for International Experience Canada (IEC) is now open, allowing eligible youth from 36 participating countries to apply for work permits to live and work in Canada for up to two years. The program offers three permit categories—Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship)—each with different eligibility and competitiveness levels.

Candidates must meet age, financial, and admissibility requirements, and those with profiles in 2025 must submit a new profile to be considered for 2026. Selection operates via lottery, with rounds conducted throughout the year until country-specific quotas are met.

For applicants, the reopening represents a key opportunity to gain Canadian work experience without requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Young Professionals and International Co-op streams are generally less competitive and may offer clearer pathways for career development, while the Working Holiday stream remains highly competitive due to its open-work flexibility. To maximize your likelihood of being selected, please seek legal advice.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE