Canada Working Holiday Visa – A Complete Guide

Posted on June 20, 2023 | Last Updated on January 11, 2024

NOTE: Applications for 2023 IEC Working Holiday visas are now being accepted. Here’s how to get your visa.

The Working Holiday Program enables young individuals to live, work and travel in Canada for up to two years.

This is your chance to sample everything that Canada has to offer, experience a new way of living, and enhance your resume.

What’s more, if you have ambitions of staying in Canada for the longer term, you can potentially apply to become a permanent resident.

In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about the Canadian Working Holiday Program and show you how to easily apply for your visa online.

What is the Canadian IEC program and what is the difference with the Canadian Working Holiday visa (WHV)?

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is for young adults who want to live and work in Canada for a limited time.

The IEC program gives the opportunity to foreigners to gain work experience while exploring the Canadian lifestyle and it may serve as the first step toward permanent residency.

You can apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Canada through the IEC.

The IEC visa has three categories:

• Working Holiday
• International Co-op
• Young Professionals

The Working Holiday program, which does not require a job offer in advance, is the most popular IEC program. This category allows participants to work in various industries and locations across Canada while experiencing the country’s diverse landscapes and culture.

Before applying to the Young Professionals program, individuals must secure a job in Canada. This program aims to attract highly skilled individuals and provides them with the opportunity to work in Canada, contributing their expertise to the Canadian workforce.

Meanwhile, the International Co-op program is designed for students who have secured a co-op placement in Canada. This category enables students to gain practical work experience in their field of study while furthering their academic knowledge. It offers a unique opportunity to merge what they’ve learned to the real-world.

It’s worth noting that each category of the IEC program has its own specific requirements and limitations. The application process involves submitting various documents, undergoing medical examinations, and paying applicable fees.

Visa First’s specialists can provide assistance with the Canadian Working Holiday Visa.

What is a Canadian Working Holiday Visa?

The Canadian Working Holiday Visa allows young adults from eligible countries to work in Canada while travelling across the country.

It provides temporary work permits which are valid for either 12 or 24 months depending on the country of the visa holder.

If you want to apply for the visa on your own, you must first create a profile, which informs the Canadian authorities of your interest to get a Working Holiday Visa. The profile typically includes personal information, details about education and work experience, and other relevant background information.

Candidates that are successful will be invited to formally complete their application.

If you think you might need help, Visa First’s experts can assist you with the whole process ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared accurately and efficiently.

What is the age limit for the Working Holiday Visa in Canada?

Young individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 (or 35 for some nationalities) from one of 36 eligible countries can create a profile and, if qualified, be included in their country’s pool of candidates for their chosen category.

Can you get a Working Holiday Visa for Canada if you are over 30?

It depends on your nationality.

Applicants from some countries will not be able to apply if they are over the age of 30.

Meanwhile, other applications will be entitled to apply up to the age of 35.

Who can apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa?

This program is suitable for you if:

• You don’t have a job offer
• You would like to work for more than one employer
• You want to work in multiple locations
• You want to work and earn money while you travel

You can apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa if:

• You are a passport holder of one of the 36 countries (listed above)
• You are from a specific country that has a reciprocal agreement with Canada

• You meet the age requirements
• You have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in Canada
• You do not have a criminal record
• You are medically fit to travel
• You have access to at least CA$2,500 to support yourself for the first three months of your stay in Canada

How to prepare for the 2023 IEC Season?

There are four main steps that you will have to go through.

1. Check if you’re eligible for the IEC program on Canada’s Government website
2. Create and submit an account through the IRCC portal
3. Receive an invitation to apply
4. Submit your work permit application

We understand that this process may seem overwhelming and stressful, and that’s where we are ready to help you.

Our visa experts are ready to provide you with professional assistance through each one of these steps and help you secure your Working Holiday Visa for Canada.

When will Canada open the 2023 IEC season?

The pools for the 2023 season are already open.

As of January 9, interested participants from the participating countries can submit their profiles to the various IEC pools, including the famous Working Holiday program.

Once the pools open, it typically takes a couple of weeks before the first round of invitations is sent out.

You do not have to create a new profile and can still receive an invitation to apply (ITA) if you:

• have already created a profile and it’s active (for example in 2022)
• you did not get an ITA

Our visa experts can assist you with personalized guidance for the whole IEC process.

Read also: 2023 Canadian IEC (Working Holiday) Program now open

What does ITA mean in Canada?

ITA is the abbreviation of invitation to apply.

There are different types of ITAs, depending on the program you are applying for.

The ITA is a crucial step, as it signifies that you have been selected from the pool of candidates and can proceed with the application process.

What happens after you receive an invitation to apply (ITA)?

If you are invited, you have 10 days to accept or decline the invitation. If you accept it, you will have 20 days to prepare and submit your work permit application.

Of course, if you decide that you need guidance, Visa First’s professionals can provide you with assistance through the whole process.

How many times can you participate in IEC Canada?

International Experience Canada (IEC) may allow you to participate more than once.

It is subject to the agreement between Canada and your home country.

If you are permitted to participate a second time, you may be required to wait a certain period of time before doing so.

Citizens of the following countries should go through this waiting period:

• Croatia
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Mexico
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Spain

After the expiration of your first IEC permit is when the waiting period starts. Note that if you submit an application for an IEC work permit before the waiting period ends, your application will be declined.

How hard is it to get the IEC Working Holiday Visa?

All IEC countries have quotas.

Some nations have higher limits, making it easier to acquire a Working Holiday Visa for Canada.

A good example is Australia which has an unlimited amount of visas available.

Some countries, however, have smaller quotas and high demand. You will not receive an invitation if you are not a part of the IEC pool, regardless of your citizenship, so make sure you enrol as soon as possible (or ask for assistance) to enhance your chances.

What documents do I need for a Working Holiday Visa in Canada?

1. Copy of the Bio-Data page of your passport

Your passport must be valid both upon applying to the IEC program and upon entry to and departure from Canada. The work permit validity cannot exceed the validity of your passport, as well as the maximum validity will not be issued for longer than the validity of your passport.

2. You will need an up-to-date resume

3. A passport photo

4. Police certificate

You must provide a police certificate, which is a copy of your criminal record, or a declaration of the absence of any criminal records from each country where you have lived for more than six months (in a row) since the age of 18.

Police certificates are different in each country and may be called judicial record extracts, police clearance certificates, good conduct certificates, etc.

They are issued by police authorities or government departments and are used by Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) to determine a person’s admissibility to enter Canada.

5. Proof of means of financial support

You must provide evidence of or equivalent to CAN $2500 to help cover your expenses in Canada.

The evidence may include:

• bank statements for the past four months
• a bank draft in convertible currency
• any other proof.

6. Biometrics

Starting July 31, 2018, nationals from countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) if they are applying for Canadian Working Holiday Visa. Once applied for the visa, you will receive a request letter with instructions.

7. Travel medical insurance

You will need to provide evidence of comprehensive health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Canada. The insurance should include coverage for medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation.

How can I stay in Canada after IEC and after my Working Holiday Visa has expired? What is the Express Entry system?

It is possible to use an IEC as a path to gain permanent residency.

The Canadian Experience Class is an immigration program for those with at least one year of work experience in Canada.

Participants in the IEC may also be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) or the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC).

The Express Entry system in Canada manages all three of these immigration programs.

It is an electronic system that manages the applications of skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada.

Where can I work on a Working Holiday in Canada?

Your job hunt can wait until you arrive in Canada, but you can start looking and planning beforehand.

You need to ask yourself some questions.

Do you want to work at a resort? An internship to kick-start a rewarding career? Working a casual, part-time shift? Or how about something entirely different?

Job opportunities for Working Holiday Visa holders include working in:

• a winter resort (any positions from ski instructor to a receptionist or even accountant)
• the retail industry
• hotels/bars/restaurants
• summer camps
• farms, ranches
• au pair
• and more.

Thinking in advance about how you want to spend your 12 months or more in Canada may help you build a strong plan and amazing trip schedule that will help you achieve all of your working holiday goals.

Read also: How to Find a Job in Canada from Abroad?

Can au pairs come to Canada on a Working Holiday Visa?

Yes, as mentioned above because Canada has no formal au pair program or au pair visa.

That being said, young people may apply for a Working Holiday visa and work as au pairs.

Can you get your tax back after a working holiday in Canada?

Worked in Canada on a Working Holiday? You could be due to claim tax back.

Every year thousands of working holidaymakers in Canada pay too much tax and are entitled to claim a refund.

If you’ve worked in Canada, it’s important that you file a tax return by 30 April – the Canadian tax return deadline.

You may be due tax back if you:

• Overpaid income tax
• Overpaid Canadian Pension Plan (CPP)
• Overpaid Employer Insurance (EI)

For an easy, stress free process you can file with Taxback, a group of tax experts.

At Taxback they will:

• Review your personal circumstances
• Ensure you get the maximum legal tax refund
• Track down your T4 or any other missing payment documents
• If you have left Canada, they will send your refund to you anywhere in the world

Read also: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Canadian Tax for Working Holidaymakers

What do I need to get a Working Holiday Visa for Canada?

To get a Working Holiday Visa in Canada, you must:

• be between 18 and 30 (in some countries 29 or 35 is the limit)
• be coming from a country that has signed an agreement with Canada
• have a two-way ticket or sufficient funds to buy one
• have WHV insurance which covers health and repatriation costs for the duration of your stay in Canada
• Not have participated in the Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada before
• Have sufficient funds (as already mentioned above)
• Have a passport that is valid for the duration of your stay and is from an eligible country
• Not be accompanied by dependants

Visa First’s team can assist you with the entire process and documentation.

How do I apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa?

When applying for your visa, you have two main options to consider.

Apply directly with IEC

If you select this option, you will need to read all the instructions, FAQs, and information on the IEC website.

You will need to follow the application process step-by-step – and you will need to create an online IEC profile.

The advantage of this option is that you can keep your costs to a minimum. However, you alone will be responsible for your application.

Аpply with an agent

If you don’t want to complete the application yourself, you can choose the help of an agent.

Visa First will help you with your visa paperwork and even boost your chances of a successful outcome.

Visa First provides a fast and convenient service – removing the hassle, and time associated with applying for travel visas and employment permits.

Our team will answer all the questions you may have and help you through the entire process securely from start to finish.

Can I apply for a Canadian working holiday visa if I have dual citizenship? Can I apply with both?

Having a dual citizenship, means you hold citizenship of two countries, so you are considered a citizen of both countries and can enjoy the rights and privileges associated with both.

If you hold dual citizenship and one of your citizenships is eligible for the Canadian Working Holiday Visa program, you can typically apply for the visa using that specific citizenship.

Now, what about if both of your citizenships are eligible for a working holiday in Canada, can you apply with both?

The Government of Canada states that you can have an International Experience Canada work permit under each citizenship and they give the example that if you’ve got both a UK and an Irish citizenship, you can get a work permit twice, once with one of the citizenships and a second time with the other.

To apply with both citizenships, you’ll need a valid passport from each country you are applying under. It’s also important to provide a letter of explanation in your application that states your dual citizenship status and mentions that your previous work permit was issued under your other country of citizenship.

Can I apply for the IEC program while in Canada?

Generally speaking, you cannot apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program while you are already in Canada. That’s because it’s designed for individuals who are outside of Canada and wish to come to Canada temporarily for work and travel purposes.

However, note that there may be some exceptions where individuals in Canada may be eligible to apply for certain streams of the IEC program, such as the Young Professionals or Co-op Internship streams.

Can I extend my Canada IEC visa?

There are circumstances where it may be possible to extend your Canada International Experience Canada (IEC) visa. The extension options depend on the specific IEC category you entered Canada under.

If you entered Canada under the Working Holiday category, it’s generally not possible to extend your stay beyond the initial duration granted on your work permit. However, there may be exceptions or specific circumstances where extensions may be granted.

If you entered Canada under the Young Professionals or Co-op Internships categories, extensions may be possible in some cases where you meet specific criteria and requirements outlined by IRCC. This may include having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, meeting employment and program requirements, and submitting a new application for an extension before your current work permit expires.

*Reviewed by a visa expert.