Do you want to get a Canadian Working Holiday Visa?
Our Regulated Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Consultant, Alejandro Gonzalez (RCIC-IRB) has extensive experience working with people from Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Finland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, South Korea and more to get their working holiday visas
Canada working holiday visa guide
If you are 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries), you may come to work and travel in Canada through International Experience Canada (IEC)! It’s a government program designed to help you getting a work permit (working holiday visa) without a job offer
Therefore, eligible people from partner countries work and travel in Canada for up to 2 years
The Canadian working holiday visa is an open work permit, which means you can work for pretty much any employer in any role anywhere in Canada for the full duration of your visa – doing casual or career work. As in, you don’t need to switch employers every six months like on some working holiday visas
What are the countries listed as partner countries?
Not all countries participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC) agreements
Only citizens of participating countries are eligible to apply, and eligibility may be for some or all IEC categories, including Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op (Internship)
Please note that age limits, quotas, and available categories vary by country, and eligibility is determined by the specific bilateral agreement between Canada and each country
Participating Countries:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- United Kingdom
- United States under some requirements.
Because eligibility rules differ by country, a professional assessment is recommended to confirm which IEC category you may qualify for and the best strategy to apply successfully
What are the benefits of International Experience Canada?
- Working Holiday Visa: Opportunity to live and work in Canada
- Language Skills: Great chance to improve English or French in a natural, immersive setting
- Life & Career Growth: A chance to gain international work experience, and open doors for future immigration in Canada
What is important to know & Tips?
- Number of Spots / Rounds IEC opens in “rounds” per country and category. This means there is=s a limited number of participants in each round, so timing matters
- Processing Fees & Biometrics You need to pay the required fees, complete biometrics, and ensure all documents are in order to avoid delays
- Activate Your Work Permit Correctly If you are already in Canada when your Invitation to Apply arrives, there are special rules about how/where your work permit is “activated”
- If you are not in Canada, you will be assessed at the POE by an immigration officer regarding your eligibility for a work permit
Why work with Alejandro?
A Working Holiday Visa, it’s more than just a visa
It’s about experiencing life in Canada, developing professionally and personally, and making networks that span cultures.
For many, it’s also a stepping stone toward longer-term opportunities, such as extending a stay (if qualify), changing immigration status (if qualify), or applying for permanent residence, after meeting the requirements
If you are considering applying for a Working Holiday Visa, our firm is here to help.
We can assist you in:
- Checking if you are eligible
- Preparing your International Experience Canada profile & documents
- Navigating the invitation rounds
- Completing your work permit application
- Understanding your rights and responsibilities once in Canada, and how could you stay longer
If you need help to apply for your Canadian Working Holiday Visa, email me at alejandro@mevoyacanada.com