IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA INVITED NEW CANDIDATES UNDER THE IEC
Canada Invites Nearly 7,000 Candidates in Massive IEC Draw
Between February 7 and February 13, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a massive wave of invitations under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Issuing a total of 6,986 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for open work permits in just one week, Canada is aggressively targeting young, dynamic global talent. For young professionals from eligible participating countries, the IEC program represents one of the most accessible and fastest routes to enter the Canadian labor market, serving as a critical first step toward building the Canadian work experience necessary for future permanent residency.
Breakdown of the February IEC Draws
This high-volume week of invitations provides essential insights into the current state of the 2026 IEC pools:
Draw Dates: February 7 to February 13, 2026
Total ITAs Issued in this Period: 6,986
Total 2026 ITAs (Year-to-Date): 34,660
Current Pool Size: As of February 13, there are 28,872 candidates actively registered and awaiting an invitation.
Key Country Highlights: Invitations were distributed across dozens of partner countries. Notable allocations include:
Latin America & Iberia: Chile (128 ITAs), Costa Rica (12 ITAs), Spain (258 ITAs), Portugal (231 ITAs).
High-Volume European Nations: Germany (1,832 ITAs), United Kingdom (1,435 ITAs), France (1,013 ITAs).
Asia-Pacific: Korea (470 ITAs), Taiwan (371 ITAs), Australia (290 ITAs).
The Opportunity for Young Professionals
While the IEC is often viewed simply as a "Working Holiday" or youth mobility program, strategically, it is a goldmine for long-term immigration planning. Entering Canada with an open work permit allows young professionals to bypass the complex and costly Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.
Once in Canada, securing just one year of skilled work experience transforms a candidate's profile. This domestic experience opens the door to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry—which recently saw a massive 6,000-person draw—and makes applicants highly attractive for various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). With over 34,000 ITAs already issued in the first six weeks of 2026, the IRCC is rapidly emptying the candidate pools. Those who enter the pool early in the season stand the highest mathematical chance of selection before country-specific quotas are exhausted.
Turn an Open Work Permit into Permanent Residency
The IEC program is a highly competitive, quota-based system. If your country has an active agreement with Canada and you meet the age requirements, every day you wait to enter the pool is a missed opportunity.
Are you from an eligible country like Chile, Costa Rica, or Spain and looking to launch your Canadian career? Do not treat the IEC as just a travel visa; treat it as phase one of your immigration journey. At Global Opportunities, we help you seamlessly transition from an IEC open work permit to permanent residency by building a long-term legal strategy from day one. Contact us today to get your profile registered before your country's quota closes!