February 13, 2026 Edition
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This Week in the IEC Pool
IRCC issued 6,985 new IEC invitations in its February 13, 2026, update. That’s more than last week, and it pushed the season total up to 34,660 invitations so far.
What we know this week:
34,660 total invitations issued so far.
6,985 invitations issued since the February 6 update.
28,872 candidates currently in the pools (down from 30,345 last week).
With an overall IEC quota of 53,359, about 65% of spots have been issued – leaving roughly 18,699 spots.
Quotas are now out for almost everyone – only New Zealand and Japan are still pending.
France’s Working Holiday quota is almost full, with only 92 spots left.
Most pools are still showing an Excellent chance of invitation, but some programs are now showing lower odds.
Even with “Excellent” odds, no one is guaranteed an invitation in any single round. The best way to boost your chances is still to enter the pool as early as possible.
We’ll keep tracking the weekly updates and flag any major shifts in invitations, pool sizes, and odds as soon as IRCC posts them.
This Week’s Read: Alberta Hits Pause After Cutting Health Coverage for IEC Workers
Alberta removed AHCIP access for IEC Type 58 permit holders, including Working Holiday and Young Professionals, on January 7 with little warning. Many workers only learned about it when they tried to apply or renew and got turned away at the registry office.
That caused a lot of stress for people who assumed they’d be covered, and it raised concerns in tourism towns like Banff, where employers rely heavily on international workers.
The province has now paused the decision (February 10) and says it’s reviewing the policy. If you’re on IEC in Alberta, it’s worth checking your coverage status and what documents you might need if you’re applying again.
On Your Radar: Valentine’s Day Ideas in Toronto and Vancouver
Spending time with your special someone is often the only thing that matters, but if you’re looking for things to do on Valentine’s Day in Toronto or Vancouver, here are a few Valentine’s Day ideas to keep in mind.
Ice skate at Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto): A classic winter date with the city skyline and the Toronto sign as your backdrop.
Stroll the Distillery District (Toronto): Cobblestone streets, cute shops, and plenty of spots for a warm drink or dessert.
Walk the Seawall at sunset (Vancouver): Simple, scenic, and hard to beat with ocean and mountain views.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (Vancouver): Love Lights brings the park to life after dark with glowing displays.
Not in Toronto or Vancouver? Check what’s happening in your local area. And if plans fall through, a simple dessert stop or cozy night in can be just as fun.
Need IEC Health Insurance? Get Covered With BestQuote
Our trusted partner has helped thousands in our community find affordable coverage that meets IEC requirements.
Remember: You don’t need to buy travel insurance to enter the pool or to apply for your temporary work permit. The Government of Canada recommends that you buy this insurance only after you receive your port of entry (POE) letter, which is a key document you need in order to travel to Canada and obtain your work permit.
IEC Life Hacks: You Can Still Activate Your New Work Permit Inside Canada
Good news for IEC participants already in Canada: you can continue to ask IRCC to issue your new IEC work permit from inside Canada and mail it to your Canadian address. You don’t need to leave Canada to activate it.
IRCC confirmed on February 10 that this process has been extended and will stay in place until further notice. Before, it was only planned to last until December 1, 2025.
Here’s the catch: getting the permit by mail can take up to 6 weeks (or longer).
Can you keep working while you wait?
If you still have a valid work permit when you send the webform, you may be able to keep working once your IRCC account shows the new permit has been issued, even if the paper copy hasn’t arrived yet.
If your old permit is already expired, you must wait until IRCC issues the new one in your account before working.
Read the full article for instructions, exact wording for your webform, eligibility details, and what to watch out for before you apply.
Resources, In Case You Missed Them
Whether you’re planning to enter the IEC pool, have an active profile, are waiting for an invitation to apply, or have already applied for or received your IEC work permit, our resources are designed to support you at every stage of your IEC journey:
