About this visa
3 Steps Guide to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Canada
This visa helps young people from the participating countries to work and travel in Canada for up to one year.
Find out how to apply for this working holiday visa below. We have made a very easy 3 steps guide for you to follow.
Participating countries
Canada has made Working Holiday visa agreements with the following 33 participating countries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
If you are a Citizen of Canada and are considering a Working Holiday experience in one of the participating countries above see where your Passport can take you!
With this visa you can
This visa allows you to:
- Live in Canada for up to one year
- Work during your stay
- Study during your stay
- Re-enter Canada during the visa period
Things to note
Canada uses a visa pooling system which limits the number of Working Holiday visas (referred to in Canada as the “International Experience Canada” program) issued on a per-country basis. If your application is selected you will receive an Invitation to Apply offer to complete your visa application.
Find out more about Canada’s visa pooling system
Age restrictions for this visa varies. Generally, its from 18-30 years old for most countries, however the following countries have made different age agreements:
- 18-25 years old for Ukrainians
- 18 – 35 years old for Denmark, Poland, France, Australia, Czech Republic, Chile, Croatia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland
Conditions
- Be aged between 18-30 years old
- Have a valid passport
- Pay the processing fee
- Have a travel insurance which covers the length of the visa
- Have a health insurance which covers the length of the visa
- Proof of enough fund to support your stay (Min CAD$2,500)
- You must not be accompanied or joined by a spouse or dependents
- You will need to provide a police certificate of the countries you have lived in for more than 6 months
- You must provide a CV/Resume when applying
Note: The visa conditions outlined above are subject to change without notice.
How to apply
- Normal processing time: 4 weeks
- Visa fee: CAN $153
- Collect all the required documents. Find the checklist here
- Apply for the visa online here
- Wait for the reply and start planning your journey to Canada
The immigration authority in Canada for processing Working Holiday visa's is International Experience Canada.
Go to: International Experience Canada
Need more help?
If you are seeking advice about Working Holiday visa's drop a comment below and we will be happy to answer any Working Holiday & Youth Mobility visa question you have! We are travellers too! 🙂
18 year old Mexican wanting to get canada to open the IEC pool ( working holiday visa). When usually does canada open the pool to Mexicans please.
I’m Mexican wanting working holiday visa in canada so when? And if? Are they going to add my country to the IEC Pool system this 2024 , please?
Hi there, I am a Singapore citizen but I am 31 years old this year. Is there any chance I am still qualified for the working holiday visa for Singapore cirizen? Also Canada and Singapore are planning to establish the youth mobility agreement, would I be able to qualify for that? Thank you!
how to apply working holiday visa in canada for the philippine citizens?
Hi,
Im turning 30 next year – is it possible to apply for a WHV when Im for example 30 y and 2 month? Or must I be under 30?
If I get my visa at the age of 30 but enters the country at 31 – would I be able to stay 1 y anyway?
Best regards
Cecilia Stensson
Hi I’m a Mexican American born in the us my parents are mexican and im planning on becoming Mexican citizen soon will I qualify to have the Holliday visa if if become Mexican citizen or there’s other way to be able to work and live in Canada
Through my American citizen?
Hi Neto,
We recommend you to obtain a Mexican citizenship if you wish to work and reside in Canada.
Unfortunately, this is easier than getting a work permit to Canada as an American citizen.
Cheers,
Maria
Hello There! Im an Argentinian Citizen but i currently live in Colombia, ive finished my Major in Psychology and i want to find oportunities to grow in Canada, What should i do to get started with working holiday
Hi I am a British UK citizen 32 years old.
I believe the cut off age for a working holiday is 30 , is this correct ?
Thanks
Hi Kirsty,
Yes, unfortunately the cut off age is 30.
However, as Canada is part of the Commonwealth there might be an alternate visa for you.
Find out more here https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
Cheers,
Maria
Hi,
I’m a Canadian citizen currently living in Luxembourg, but also have permanent address in Canada. I have a job opportunity from well known Swiss company in Zurich. I’m under 35 which should make me eligible for the Youth Mobility program. But, the position is very senior and I’m not a “trainee”. Can I still use this Youth mobility program?
Thanks
Hi I am an Italian Citizen however I live in England and have been doing so for the past 20 years. I have permanent residency in the UK.
Do i have to reside in Italy to be able to apply for the IEC?
Hi Dee, thanks for asking. I had to look up IEC (International Experience Canada) and will update this Post to help others seeking that Term.
The requirement for a permanent address assumes you reside in Italy, it is only limited to the work permit and I suspect you can provide the permanent address in the country you currently reside, I would call Canadian immigration and ofcourse confirm this but you’re the exception to the rule here so do ask for verbal and/or written clarification on that work permit requirement from Canadian immigration officials.
The visa pool is open so wishing you a great experience in Canada! 🙂