An Overview of IEC Quotas for 2025

Following the Canadian government's announcement about reducing the number of temporary workers for 2025, many wondered about the fate of the International Experience Canada (IEC) quotas. However, the IEC program appears to have largely avoided the anticipated severe cuts.

Despite the program's overall stability, potential IEC participants face challenges. The number of applicants for various programs exceeds the available quotas, indicating that some individuals may miss out even before the initial draw occurs. Moreover, several countries have reported significant reductions in their allocations, intensifying the competition for available spots.

Countries with Significant Allocations

Countries like South Korea, France, and the United Kingdom continue to offer robust allocations under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, making them popular choices for travellers and young professionals looking to live and work in Canada. South Korea's Working Holiday category leads with 10,000 spots, bolstered by a substantial increase in its Young Professionals allocation to 1,500 spots from last year's 350. The country's International Co-op category remains stable at 500 spots, providing ample opportunities for applicants. France maintains a presence of over 13,000 spots across four sub-categories: Working Holiday with 6,615 spots, International Co-op with 3,950 spots, Young Professionals with 2,080 spots, and Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) with 945 spots. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom offers 9,000 spots for Working Holiday participants, 900 for Young Professionals and 100 for International Co-op positions. Australia and Finland, however, stand out as they don't impose caps on participants across all IEC streams.

Countries Facing Reductions

While some countries have maintained or increased their quotas, others have witnessed dramatic cuts, leading to potential application difficulties. Ireland experienced the sharpest decline in its Working Holiday category, which fell from approximately 10,500 to just 3,800 spots, reducing 6,700 spaces. Nevertheless, Ireland did not fill its quota last year, so the practical decrease may appear less severe — down from 6,000 to 3,800 spots when accounting for last year’s figures. Taiwan's Working Holiday allocation also took a significant hit, dropping from 3,340 to 940, narrowing opportunities for Taiwanese youth looking to explore Canada. Although South Korea retains the highest total allocation, its Working Holiday spots decreased from 11,625 to 10,000, reflecting a decrease of 1,625 places. Yet, with 10,000 spots still available, the impact may not be as severe as it appears. Portugal experienced a drop from 1,750 to 750 spots, alongside reductions in both Young Professionals and International Co-op categories, tightening the landscape for applicants from this country.

Additionally, Costa Rica saw a drastic reduction in its Working Holiday category, plunging from 1,120 to just 80 spots, creating considerable challenges for Costa Rican applicants. Other notable reductions include losses from Poland (200 spots), France (385 spots), and Belgium (250 spots) in the Working Holiday category. While some countries still offer reasonable quotas overall, the fewer available positions mean increased competition for all applicants.

Countries Awaiting Quota Announcements

Several countries are still listed as “To Be Announced” regarding their quotas for various IEC categories in 2025. Until the IRCC discloses these figures, applicants can only speculate on potential allocations. These include Germany for Working Holiday, Young Professionals, International Co-op, Japan for Working Holiday, and the Czech Republic and Chile for all categories. These nations previously enjoyed substantial quotas, particularly Germany and Japan.

Conclusion

As the IEC program navigates 2025, uncertainty and competition loom large for potential participants. While some countries still provide significant opportunities, the notable reductions in quotas for others necessitate a strategic approach for aspiring applicants. Understanding these shifts will be essential for those planning their journey to Canada through the IEC channels.