5 reasons to enter the IEC Canada working holiday visa pools early

Along with no bombing or heavy petting, we were always taught not to run to the pool. Unless it’s the IEC Canada visa pool...

Which opened on 16 Dec ’24 with a fresh new visa allocation of 2025 Canada working holiday visas. Here’s why we'd recommend a fast walk to secure your visa for Canada...

What's the visa pool?

Due to the demand for visas and limited number of working holiday Canada visas (IEC visas) allocated to each eligible country, Canada visas operate via a pool system – where you enter your profile and names are drawn at regular intervals to receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply for your visa). These name draws happen at regular intervals throughout the year until either the pools shut or your country's allocation runs out.

The dates when the pools open and close can change each year, but they typically open in Dec/Jan and close in Oct/Nov. Each year, the IEC (International Experience Canada) might also change or re-distribute the number of visas per country. For some nationalities where there is a high demand for visas, this allocation can be the difference between a chilled time hanging out in the pool waiting to be picked – or a nervous code brown situation wondering if you’ll get drawn for an ITA.

You can find out more about the IEC, visa eligibility and rules for Canada working holdaymakers in our visa guide.

5 reasons to enter the Canada pools early

1. It's the laws of probability

Outside of haggling over hostel rates and happy hour financial projections - as travellers, maths isn't necessarily our strong suit. However, when it comes to the random nature of the Canada pools - what we do know is that the laws of probability dictate that the sooner you enter the pools, the more chance you have of securing a visa.

By entering the pools as soon as they open, your profile will be exposed to the maximum of number of draws that year - increasing the probability of being picked for an ITA.

2. Visas ran out in 2024 for some nationalities

We're still waiting on our Canada crystal ball, so we never quite know what the demand will be like for Canada visas. But based on 2024, for UK passport holders, the 2024 visa allocation ran out in July! Meaning hundreds of Brits missed out on a visa - and will likely be ignoring all ‘no running’ safety signs and racing to the pools to secure one in 2025.

3. Hiring for summer '25 jobs is already open

We're writing this article in Dec '24 and our Canada employers are already hiring for 4-6 month summer jobs with Apr-Jul start dates. So if you want to head out to work the summer season in Canada, you need to get into the pools ASAP. As soon as you have your ITA, we can get you in front of our employers and on your way to a life of sunshine and caesars. (The Canada national cocktail - try not to be alarmed by the clamato juice).

4. Winter ski job hiring preferences are open

In 2024, hiring for our Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb ski jobs were done and dusted by April! And most of those positions went to Jen-setters who booked Work Canada early and got their winter preferences down in Dec/Jan. Basically, once you’ve booked onto Work Canada, you can select your top three resorts - getting you at the front of the queue when winter interviews start in Apr/May.

5. Enter in 2025 for 2026 travel

We can’t believe we’re already talking about 2026, but you have 12 months from securing your working holiday visa to enter Canada. So if Canada is on your 2026 wish list, you need to manifest your way into the visa pools in 2025. For example, if you want to head to Canada in Apr '26, you can be entering the pools from Apr '25.

What's my next move?

As part of the JENZA travel group, we've been offering our famous Work Canada experience for 30+ years. That comes with a bunch of visa, admin and job geekery around this kind of stuff. When you pay your Work Canada deposit we'll give you all the guidance you need to enter the pools - helping to ensuring that your application is correct and you don't have a wasted trip to the pool. Good luck!