January 9, 2026 Edition
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This Week in the IEC Pool
IRCC’s latest IEC update is out, and it confirms the first round of invitations is expected the week of January 19, 2026. Quotas are still limited so far, but a few numbers have now been published.
Here’s what we know so far:
36,816 candidates are already in the IEC pools waiting for invitations.
Worth noting: not every country will see invitations in the first round, particularly if quotas haven’t been published yet.
Biggest change so far: Australia’s Working Holiday program is capped at 5,670 spots this year after being unlimited last year.
We’ll keep tracking pool sizes, quota announcements, and any shifts in your odds as more info (and invitations) start rolling out.
This Week’s Read: Entering the Pool vs Applying
If you’re new to IEC, this trips up a lot of people: entering the IEC pool is NOT the same as applying for the work permit. It’s just step one.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Entering the pool = you submit a profile to be considered (like putting your name in a lottery).
Applying for the work permit = only happens after you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
If you get invited, the deadlines come fast:
10 days to accept the invitation
20 days to submit your full work permit application
That’s why it helps to enter the pool early and get a few documents ready ahead of time – just in case your ITA shows up.
New to IEC? Read our full breakdown so you don’t miss deadlines or mix up the steps.
On Your Radar: See The Northern Lights In Yellowknife
If you’re looking to chase the Northern Lights, Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) is one of the best places for aurora viewing. The nights are long and dark in winter, so the best time to go is usually mid-November to early April.
A few helpful tips:
Bring or rent warm winter gear (jacket, snow pants, boots, mitts). It makes a huge difference when you’re standing outside at night.
You can book an aurora tour, but you don’t always need one. Some people rent a car and drive a little outside the city to get away from the light pollution.
If you’re going to “hunt” for the aurora, pick a safe spot with parking and plan for the cold.
If seeing the Northern Lights is on your Canada bucket list, Yellowknife is one of the best places to do it.
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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: New in Canada? Start With Your SIN
Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) at Service Canada as soon as possible after you arrive. You’ll need it for things like starting a job, setting up payroll, and often for banking/credit.
Some major airports like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International have Service Canada locations, so you may be able to get your SIN right after you land.
If not, most cities have a Service Canada office, and you can often get your SIN the same day by applying in person. You can apply online, too, but that usually takes longer since your SIN is mailed out.
