IEC 2026–2027: every country, both directions.

WH Working Holiday (open work permit) · YP Young Professionals (employer-specific) · IC International Co-op (employer-specific placement). Figures are totalled across the three categories, so a country showing spots may still be full in the one stream you want — the split matters, and we check it for you. Source: IRCC rounds of invitations, updated Fridays. Countries without an agreement can sometimes still take part through a recognized organization. Mexico has no current IEC arrangement.

• Canadian citizenship is required

  Every destination opens its criteria with "be a Canadian citizen". Permanent residents of Canada cannot use IEC to go abroad — they would need an arrangement between their country of citizenship and the destination.

• Some destinations also want you resident in Canada

  Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Belgium and Andorra require you to be living in Canada when you apply. Ireland is the explicit exception and accepts Canadians living anywhere.

• Caps are first-come, not a lottery

  Japan allots 6,283 places to Canadians, Korea 12,000, Hong Kong 193 and the UK 10,000. All are first-come, first-served. Australia and New Zealand do not cap Canadians, and no destination puts Canadians in a ballot.

• Lead times vary wildly

  Australia, New Zealand and the UK decide online in days or weeks. Germany's missions in Canada are quoting four to six months, and Ireland still accepts applications by mail only. Plan backwards from your departure date.

• Insurance and funds are checked

  Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Ireland require proof of medical insurance for the full stay. Funds requirements range from about CAD 2,500 to AUD 5,000 depending on where you are going.

• Recognized organizations are optional

  IRCC designates organizations such as SWAP, GO International and IAESTE Canada to place Canadians abroad. They charge fees, they are never mandatory, and they matter most where a job must be arranged before you apply.

Destination rules are set by each foreign government and change without notice. Confirm on IRCC's outbound IEC pages and the destination's own visa site before you book anything.

IRCC gives at least five days' notice before the final round of a season. If you are close to your age cap, treat the current season as your last one — an invitation you cannot act on is worth nothing.

• A passport that outlasts your permit

  Your work permit cannot be valid longer than your passport, so a passport expiring next year quietly shortens a two-year permit.

• CAD 2,500 in funds

  The published minimum to support yourself on arrival, in addition to a return ticket or the money to buy one.

• Health insurance for the whole stay

  Required for the full duration, and checked at the port of entry. A permit can be shortened to match short coverage.

• No accompanying dependants

  IEC permits are issued to the participant alone. Family members need their own status.

• Admissibility

  Medical and police requirements apply as with any work permit. Holders of a refugee travel document from any country are ineligible.

• A job offer, for two of the streams

  Young Professionals needs a TEER 0–3 offer; International Co-op needs a placement required by your studies. Your employer submits the offer and pays $230 before you apply.

In practice a Working Holiday applicant pays about $369.75 and a Young Professionals or Co-op applicant about $269.75, plus whatever the employer pays. Fees change; confirm on canada.ca before paying.

• Check your country agreement

  Age cap, available streams, permit length and how many participations you get — all of it varies by citizenship. Start at the table above.

• Create a profile and enter the pool

  Free, and the only way in. Entering the day the season opens rather than in March materially changes which rounds you sit in.

• Accept the invitation in time

  You have 10 days to accept an invitation and 20 days from acceptance to submit. Miss either and you go back to the pool, if rounds remain.

• Prepare funds and insurance

  CAD 2,500 and full-stay coverage, evidenced properly. These are the two things most often produced too late.

• Meet admissibility

  Medicals, police certificates and biometrics where they apply. Some occupations trigger a medical regardless of country.

• Plan your Canadian experience

  What you do on the permit determines how useful it is later. Occupation, TEER level and continuous months are what Express Entry actually reads.