First Canada Working Holiday Visa Draw 2026: Over 10,000 Invitations Issued

Published by: Di Leone Group – Canadian Immigration Consultants
Date: January  27,   2026

Canada has officially opened the 2026 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program with a historic first draw: 10,689 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for the Working Holiday Visa issued in a single round.

This strong start sends a clear message to all candidates:
👉 2026 will be fast, competitive, and will not reward last-minute preparation.

In this article, you’ll find:

• The full results of the first IEC 2026 draw

• The official table of invitations by country

• Which countries are best positioned

• Where the risk of missing out is higher

• What Di Leone Group recommends based on your situation

📌 What Is Canada’s Working Holiday Visa?

The Working Holiday Visa is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program and allows young citizens from partner countries to:

• Work legally in Canada

• Without a prior job offer

• Without an LMIA

• With an open work permit

• For 12 or 24 months (depending on nationality)

Because of its flexibility, it is the most popular IEC category—and also the most competitive.

📊 Results of the First IEC 2026 Draw (January 23)

• ITAs issued: 10,689

• Total Working Holiday quota 2026: 42,127

• Spots still available: 35,283

• Candidates in the pool: 34,539

This means that more than 25% of the annual quota began moving in January, which is uncommon compared to previous seasons.

🌍 Official Table – IEC Working Holiday Visa Draw 2026 (January 23)

📌 Note: Countries marked as “to be announced” have open pools, but invitation rounds have not yet started.

✅ Best-Positioned Countries at the Start of 2026

According to Di Leone Group’s analysis, these countries show a strong balance of:

• A high number of ITAs

• Large remaining quotas

• Relatively manageable pools

👉 Best early-stage probabilities:

• United Kingdom

• South Korea

• Australia

• Ireland

• Italy

DLG Conclusion:
If you belong to one of these countries and entered the pool early, your chances in 2026 are solid.

⚠️ Countries Facing Higher Competitive Pressure

Some pools show a clear imbalance between candidates and available spots:

• 🇫🇷 France: over 13,000 candidates

• 🇨🇱 Chile: large pool with rounds not yet announced

• 🇨🇷 Costa Rica: many candidates, very limited spots

• 🇯🇵 Japan: high demand with no initial invitations

📌 Professional warning:
In these cases, it’s critical not to rely solely on Working Holiday.

🔁 The 3 IEC Pathways You Should Consider (Not Just Working Holiday)

1️⃣ Working Holiday

• Open work permit

• High demand

• Higher competition

2️⃣ Young Professionals

• Requires a qualified job offer

• Less congestion in many countries

• Highly strategic for professional profiles

3️⃣ International Co-op (Internships)

• Ideal for students or recent graduates

• Smaller pools

• High invitation rates if eligibility is met

💡 Common mistake: assuming IEC = Working Holiday only.

🚨 What to Do If You Receive an ITA

Receiving an ITA does NOT guarantee approval.

You must:

• Accept it within the deadline

• Submit complete and consistent documentation

• Verify passport validity

• Obtain correct police certificates

• Complete biometrics and medical exams if required

Many refusals happen after the ITA due to avoidable errors.

⏳ Still in the Pool? Here’s What You Should Do Now

✔️ Review your IEC profile
✔️ Prepare documents before receiving an ITA
✔️ Monitor your country’s pool and quota
✔️ Evaluate Young Professionals or Co-op options
✔️ Build a backup plan for Canada

📈 DLG Projection for the Rest of the 2026 Season

• January–February: fast, high-volume rounds

• March–May: increased competition in Working Holiday

• From June onward: limited spots and higher risk of missing out

👉 In 2026, timing will be the decisive factor.

🎯 Di Leone Group Conclusion

The first IEC 2026 draw sends a clear message:
🇨🇦 Canada remains open—but it now demands strategy.

Those who prepare early will arrive first.

📞 Not Sure Which Path Is Right for You?

At Di Leone Group, we analyze your profile and tell you:

• Whether IEC is viable

• Which category suits you best

• Which alternative protects you if you don’t receive an ITA

👉 Book your professional consultation and avoid losing the 2026 season.