Eligible foreign youth hoping to work in Canada under International Experience Canada (IEC) have just days left to enter the lottery-style pools: profiles must be submitted by Monday, Oct. 20, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. EDT to be considered for the final invitation round of the 2025 season. IEC, which issues LMIA-exempt work permits, is open to citizens of partner countries typically aged 18–30 or 18–35 (age cap varies by country). IRCC will draw candidates during the week of Oct. 20; those who miss the cutoff will need to wait for 2026 pools to reopen in January. As of Oct. 10, all partner countries have pools open except the Netherlands. IEC streams include Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship) (a job offer is required for all except Working Holiday). To qualify, applicants must be a citizen of a partner country, fall within the age limit, hold private health insurance and a valid passport for the full stay, show at least $2,500 in funds, and have a return ticket or proof of funds to depart.
The process starts by creating an online Expression of Interest profile; if invited, candidates have 10 days to accept and 20 days to submit their work-permit application with documents and fees. Costs generally include $179.75 for all participants, plus $100 for Working Holiday open-work-permit holders; Young Professionals and International Co-op require the employer to pay a $230 employer-compliance fee; biometrics (if required) add $85. IRCC’s “check your chances” tool estimates odds for the next round (Excellent/Very good/Fair/Low/Very low) by country and category, and profiles can qualify for more than one pool. Notable upper-age limits include 35 for Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Portugal, New Zealand, Poland, the U.K. (among others) and 30 for Andorra, Belgium, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden. With demand typically exceeding supply, submitting your profile before the Oct. 20 deadline is the only way to stay in contention for a 2025 invitation.