Canada Welcomes International Youth for the IEC 2025 Season

Exciting news for young adventurers: the International Experience Canada (IEC) 2025 season officially opened on December 16, 2024. Now is the time to act if you dream of working and exploring Canada. With the pools now open, eligible candidates can create their profiles and gear up for the first round of invitations, scheduled for the week of January 13, 2025.

However, there’s a twist this year – Canada has reduced the annual allocation for IEC, making early application crucial to securing your spot.

What is International Experience Canada (IEC)?

IEC offers young individuals from partner countries the chance to work and travel in Canada. It is divided into three categories:

Working Holiday:
  1. Open work permits for flexibility in choosing employers and locations.
  2. Perfect for exploring Canada while earning.

Young Professionals:
  1. Employer-specific work permits.
  2. Focused on gaining professional experience with a pre-arranged job.

International Co-op (Internship):
  1. Tailored for students requiring internships or work placements as part of their academic programs.

What’s New for IEC 2025?

This year brings several changes to the IEC program:

Updated IEC Fees
  1. New Fee:

    2. CAD 179.75 (up from CAD 172 in 2024).

Revised Quotas

While full quotas are yet to be disclosed, here are key updates:

  1. France:

    2. Working Holiday and Young Professionals quotas were reduced by 2,000+ spots, but International Co-op spots increased by 3,000.

  2. South Korea:

    3. Working Holiday spots were reduced by 1,625, but Young Professionals and International Co-op allocations increased to balance out.

  3. Taiwan:

    4. Significant reduction in Working Holiday spots (2,240 fewer than last year).

  4. Australia:

    5. Previously unlimited, quotas may be introduced for 2025.

IEC 2025 Quotas at a Glance

Country Working Holiday Young Professionals International Co-op
Andorra 25 - -
Australia To be announced To be announced To be announced
France 6,615 2,080 3,950
South Korea 10,000 1,500 500
Taiwan 940 50 10
Italy 1,750 200 50
United Kingdom To be announced To be announced To be announced

Note: Additional quotas for other countries are being updated regularly.

Why Apply Early for IEC 2025?

  1. Maximize Invitation Chances:

    2. Invitations are issued through a randomized lottery, and early submission ensures your profile is considered in multiple rounds.

  2. First Invitation Round:

    3. Scheduled for the week of January 13, 2025.

  3. Limited Spots:

    4. With reduced allocations, demand is expected to skyrocket.

How to Prepare for IEC 2025

Check Your Eligibility:
  1. Verify your eligibility using tools like online quizzes or the official IRCC website.

Create Your IEC Profile:
  1. Log in to your IRCC account and create a new profile.
  2. Previous participants must reapply with a new profile.

Submit Your Profile Early:
  1. Early submissions increase your chances of selection in multiple rounds.

Prepare for Work Permit Application:
  1. Once invited, accept the invitation within 10 days.
  2. Submit your work permit application within the next 20 days.

Stay Updated:
  1. Monitor the IRCC website for real-time updates on quotas and timelines.

List of Countries Eligible for IEC Working Holiday Visas

Country Country Country
Andorra Australia Croatia
France Ireland Italy
South Korea United Kingdom Taiwan
Processing Time for IEC Applications
  1. Average processing time:

    2. 6 weeks (for 80% of applications).

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

Navigating the IEC process can be challenging. At Visa Solutions 4u, we offer:

  1. Expert Guidance:

    2. Personalized assistance in creating and submitting your profile.

  2. Document Support:

    3. Ensuring your work permit application meets IRCC standards.

  3. Real-Time Updates:

    4. Keeping you informed of quotas, timelines, and changes.

  4. Post-Approval Assistance:

    5. From travel to accommodation, we’ve got you covered.