Posts in category: Canadian Immigration

A working holiday can be a truly life-altering experience. Living, working, and traveling to different environments allow you to have various life experiences. A working holiday will enable you to get to know many different cultures, environments, and people from all walks of life. This can teach you new approaches to business, experience a foreign country, and develop your language skills.

All this can provide you with the knowledge and understanding you can carry for the rest of your life. As a result, a working holiday in Canada is a fantastic option for those looking to gain life experience – it is also hugely beneficial to Canadian work experience to better compete in the global economy. If you’re a travel influencer or love to travel, backpack, and explore new places for a few months, then Canada’s unspoiled wilderness and urban splendor await you.

The Canadian Working Holiday program allows young adults from designated countries (we’ll list these countries a bit later) to travel and work in Canada for 12-24 months, moving from job to job throughout the country. The best thing about a Canada Working Holiday is that you can earn money to fund your travels during your stay in Canada.

EARN WHILE YOU TRAVEL

So, if you feel this would benefit you, you’ve come to the right place. To enjoy a Canada working holiday, you must get a Canadian working holiday visa from International Experience Canada (IEC).

How Does a Canada Working Holiday Work?

The IEC has a youth mobility agreement with 35 countries. This allows the citizens of the designated countries to visit Canada as open work permit holders. A Canada open work permit allows foreign workers to work for whomever they choose over a certain period, provided the company is Canadian.

This visa program is specifically for young people who:

• haven’t settled on a career path yet
• don’t have a Canadian job offer
• would like to fund their travels through the money they earn in their travel destination
• would like to work for more than one Canadian employer
• want to have the ability to travel around Canada while working

If this sounds like you, a Canadian Working Holiday Visa may be your perfect start. However, if you’re unsure whether having a working holiday in Canada is your best option, click the button below to talk to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant who can help you find exactly which visa program is best for you.

DO YOU QUALIFY? CHECK NOW

Am I Eligible to Apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa?

As mentioned above, only citizens of countries with a youth mobility program can participate in the Canada Working Holiday Visa program. If you aren’t from one of those countries, you can apply through an organization recognized by the government of Canada. However, these, too, are only available in certain countries.

The countries that are involved in Canada’s youth mobility program are as follows:

If you aren’t from any of these countries, you may have the opportunity to get a working holiday visa in Canada via the following recognized organizations:

Suppose you’re a citizen of one of the approved countries or can apply through one of the organizations. In that case, you must also fulfill the following criteria to be eligible to apply for a Canada working holiday visa.

• You must have a valid passport for one of the countries mentioned above that will not expire while you travel and work in Canada.
  • Your work permit will expire if your passport expires.
• Depending on your program, you must be between 18 and 35 or 18 and 30 years.
  • This depends on your country of origin or recognized organization.
• You need at least CA$ 2500 upon your arrival in Canada (As proof of and basis of financial support for yourself).
• You must be admissible to Canada.
  • This means you must have no criminal record and be in good health.
  • You may need to provide documentation to prove this.
• You have either booked and paid for a flight home or have sufficient funds for a flight home.
• You must take out health insurance for the entire working holiday in Canada.
• You can’t have dependents.
• You must live in the country you’re a citizen of when you complete the Canada Working Holiday Visa application process.
• Due to current travel restrictions, you must be fully vaccinated with a Canadian-approved vaccine.

If you can fulfill these criteria, apply for a Working Holiday Visa Canada. Once you prove your eligibility, you can opt to have the RCIC represent you for your working holiday visa application process. If you’re unsure how an RCIC can help you, look at our RCIC introductory page. If you would like an expert to handle this process for you to ensure that the process is done as effectively and efficiently as possible, click the button below.

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE!

How to Get Your IEC & Working Holiday Visa in 8 Steps:

The IEC Working Holiday Visa application process is relatively straightforward and can be completed online from any country via the government of Canada’s website.

Step 1: Create Your Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Account

There are two ways to register with the IRCC. You can either register with a GCKey or with a Sign-in Partner. A GCKey is a unique credential approved by a Canadian government-provided authentication service.

To Register with a GCKey, you must:

1. Visit the Canadian Government Website
2. Click “Register with a GCKey.”
3. Click “Sign Up.”
4. Read the Terms and Conditions of Use and select “I Accept.”
5. Create a username.
6. Create a password.
7. Create your security questions and answers.
8. Once you have clicked “Continue,” you will be taken to the Sign Up Complete page.
9. Read the Terms and Conditions. Click I Accept.
10. Create an account by entering your information and following the steps.

Sign-in Partners are financial institutions partnered SecureKey Technologies. SecureKey Technologies provides online identity services.

To register with a Sign-in Partner, you must:

1. Visit the Canadian Government Website.
2. Click “Register with a Partner” Sign-In.
3. Choose your financial institution.
   1. If your financial institution is not listed, you must register with GCKey.
4. Enter your banking sign-in information and click & Continue.
5. Read the Terms and Conditions of Use and click I Accept.
6. To create your account, enter your information and follow the steps.

Once you’ve created your account, select the “International Experience Canada” option to open the Come to Canada questionnaire. Doing this process correctly is vital for the success of your application. If you want to ensure nothing gets left out, chat with an RCIC who can help you submit the best application possible.

Step 2: Fill out the Come to Canada Questionnaire

Your first step is to fill out the Come To Canada Questionnaire on the government of Canada’s website. This form asks you basic questions such as your:

• Nationality
• Age
• Language ability
• Family members
• Education
• Student status (if applicable)
• Work experience
• Income and/or net worth
• Details on any job offer

You will be advised on which programs and processes are best for you based on your answers to these questions. Once you complete the form, you will receive a personal reference code (it will look like this: JM1234567890).

Once you submit your profile, you will be entered into your chosen IEC pool. If your profile is eligible, the Canadian government will present you with an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 3: Receive Your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The Canadian government will notify you via your account if you’re invited to apply for the IEC. After that, you’ll receive instructions on what to do next. Thereafter, you have twenty days to accept the invitation. Once you accept the invitation, you must apply for a work permit.

Step 4: Apply for a Work Permit

To get a work permit, you’ll have to:

• Show proof of the information you submitted in your IEC profile
• Describe your educational background, employment history, and background
• If necessary, provide other supporting documents

The documentation is as follows:

• Police certificates
• Medical exams
• CV/resume
• Passport
• Digital photo
• Family information
• ETA or visitor visa
• Proof of financial support
• Health insurance

You will also be asked to submit further information about your working background and the type of work you intend to do in Canada. Again, ensure all documents are readable and in color before submitting. Candidates are advised to submit all relevant supporting documents, as failure will delay processing times.

Step 5: Pay Your Fees and Submit Your Profile

Once you’ve assembled your documentation, you must pay your fees. The IEC Working Holiday visa fees are as follows:

Once you submit your application, the Canadian government will contact you to verify that your information is valid, that you’re eligible to work in Canada, and that you’re admissible to Canada.

Step 6: Do Your Biometrics

This is the one step you can’t do online. However, you only have to give your biometrics once every ten years, so if you’ve traveled to Canada in the last ten years, you can skip this step. However, a few guidelines help make the steps easier if you need to submit your biometrics.

• Pay your biometrics fees when you initially submit your application, making the process much faster.
• You will receive a letter from the Canadian government telling you to get biometrics, after which you will have 30 days to do so.
• You must give your biometrics in person at a visa office.

Step 7: Wait for Your IEC Work Permit Application to be Assessed

The Working Holiday Visa processing times take around 56 days and upwards. This process is the last possible time you can take back your application and get your money back, but at this point, it can take a long time. If your application is incomplete, you may be asked to produce additional documents, which can elongate the process. Once your application has been assessed, the Canadian government will contact you.

The government will issue you a Port of Entry letter if approved. If you haven’t, they will send you a letter explaining why.

Step 8: Get To Canada

Once you’re approved, it’s time to pack your things and get to Canada. Make sure you bring all of the documents given to you by Canada’s government. This includes:

• Your travel documents
• Open work permit
• ETA
• Port of Entry Letter

The Canadian border authorities will check all these documents at your Canadian port of entry. You will be forced to return home if your documents are incomplete or invalid.

START YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY JOURNEY

FAQs

Can you Stay in Canada After Your Working Holiday Visa Expires?

Here’s a handy guide to help you stay in Canada even when your working holiday has ended.

Is the IEC Currently Open?

Yes, however, the IEC does have an on and off-season. The season generally starts around March, but it depends entirely on your country of origin.

What Kind of Jobs Can You do on a Working Holiday?

You can do a wide variety of jobs during your IEC working holiday. Here are a few examples of typical working holiday jobs. Moreover, there are jobs advertised by each Canadian province to meet the in-demand work needs of those provinces.

An Experience you Will Never Forget

With so many fantastic opportunities, choosing to travel and work in Canada via a Canada working holiday is now more accessible than ever. It can bring a wealth of experience you won’t find anywhere else. If you feel this is perfect for you, talk to an RCIC to determine your eligibility and ensure your Working Holiday visa application process goes as smoothly as possible.

One of our recent clients, Samuel John, 31, is a prime example of what is possible when one utilizes the services of a Canadian immigration agency. Despite having traversed many immigration processes due to his career, Sam found that the Canadian immigration process was all but impenetrable without the help of immigration professionals. However, with the help of our RCICs, Sam was able to start his Canadian journey in a way that was perfect for him. Here, Sam discusses his experience of starting his journey to Canada with us.

If you want to have the difficulty, stress, and guesswork taken out of your Canadian Working Holiday Visa application, schedule a consultation with an RCIC to find out how you can start a journey of a lifetime as quickly and efficiently as possible!

START YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY JOURNEY

To live in Canada as a foreign national, most of the time, you need to find a job to work there first, which requires a Canada work visa. Although getting a job before you move to Canada is not always a requirement, it does help you to appear more eligible for a visa, as it shows that you can contribute to the Canadian economy.

Since Canada has one of the strongest economies globally and an unemployment rate of only 8 percent, which is projected to be as low as 6.5 percent in 2026, job opportunities are and will continue to increase. This promises even greater prospects for the Great White North, which is why many people want to immigrate to Canada.

Types of Canadian Work Permits

If you get a job offer in Canada as a foreign national, consider it an opportunity that you cannot refuse because it can be a very beneficial move for your career and improve you and your family’s quality of life.

There are two main types of work permits, under which there is also a category of work visas. You must have a work permit and work visa to immigrate to Canada for work purposes. The two work permits include:

Open Work Permit

This work permit is not a job-specific option, which means that you can work for any Canadian employer. It also exempts you from requiring a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to qualify for a Canadian work visa.

Who is it for?

Eligible foreign nationals that want to work in Canada in the occupation and for the employer of their choice.

Employer-Specific Work Permit

A work permit that allows foreign nationals to work for a specific employer in Canada, according to conditions and limitations detailed in the work permit. This work permit limits a foreign national to one employer at a specific location, with a duration of employment, whom they are authorized to work for and comply with. It also requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Who is it for?

This work permit is for anyone that wants to work for a specific employer in a set province and for a specified duration.

Types of Canadian Work Visas

To get a Canadian work visa, you must show that you are competent to perform the job duties that are required in the job offered to you. For skilled positions, this can be proved by providing a copy of education credentials. To show that your work experience is valid, you can also submit reference letters from each of your previous employers.

With this, you will also be required to have an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your qualifications meet Canada’s standards. Additionally, you will need to provide supporting documents, depending on the type of work permit you are applying for.

Types of Canadian work visas include:

International Mobility Program (IMP)

The IMP was created to help Canadian employers hire skilled international workers on a temporary or permanent ( Find out about TR to PR pathway) basis without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This work visa is primarily issued for jobs that Canadian employers failed to fill with existing residents in the country.

Given that it created a need to hire foreign working professionals, the program was also designed to fill Canada’s labour market needs, which presented the opportunity for foreign nationals to get jobs in Canada. This includes both temporary and permanent jobs at every skill level.

Although the IMP can give foreign nationals a temporary work visa, it can give you a window to eventually apply for permanent residency through several programs, including one of the federal economic programs or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), all of which are under the Express Entry System.

International Mobility Programs (IMPs) include:

• Post-graduate work permit program – A program for anyone that has studied and graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Reciprocal Youth Change Agreements – A program such as the International Experience Class (IEC) for people aged 18 to 35-years old that want to travel and work in Canada
• International Free Trade Agreements – Programs that include the North American, South American and South Korea Free Trade Agreements, General Agreement on Trade Services, Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
• Intra-Company Transfer Program – A program for anyone that wants to transfer to a Canadian branch of the company they currently work for abroad
• Bridging Open-Work Permit – A work permit program for anyone in the transition phase to become a permanent resident
• Circumstances of Social or Cultural Benefit to Canada – A program for someone that can contribute to Canada through programs, such as the Mobilité Francophone Program. The outcome of this program depends on the applicant’s past success, testimonials and recommendations

To apply for the IMP, you need a Canadian job offer, apply for a work permit, and have a travel visa to enter Canada.

Working Holiday Visa (IEC)

As a very popular Canada work visa, the working holiday visa forms a part of the International Experience Class (IEC), which allows you the opportunity to live in Canada and work part-time while traveling the country. The work visa program is made available to citizens from 34 different countries that have a consensual youth mobility arrangement with Canada.

The temporary work visa can last between 12 to 24 months. This depends on your country of residence. It is ideal for adventurous young adults that would like to experience Canada without settling down in the country permanently. By gaining part-time work experience in Canada, however, does increase your chances to get a permanent visa, should you wish to apply for one after your working holiday visa expires.

The application process for this visa program includes the following steps:

1. Creating an online Express Entry profile
2. Waiting for the draw to take place upon completion
3. Submitting your application in 20 days if you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

This work visa program was designed for Canadian employers to hire foreign national skilled workers for a variety of jobs in Canada.

A crucial part of the application process for the TFWP is to apply for an LMIA because there were not any Canadian residents available to apply for the job position. For this reason, Canadian employers often need to hire foreign nationals through this program.

To qualify for this program, an applicant must submit a copy of the LMIA with their work permit application. If your potential Canadian employer does not want an LMIA, you can apply for a work visa through the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Some of the most popular TFWP streams support Canadian employers’ hiring needs, which is why there is a list of requirements that must be met to assemble a successful LMIA application for the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

TFWP streams differ based on the wages that are offered to workers and their skill level, which is determined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC).

The different TFWP streams include:

• • High Wage Worker Stream
  • Low Wage Worker Stream
  • Agriculture Worker Stream
  • Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

• Global Talent Stream (GTS)

• Home Care Provider Stream
• Foreign Academics

To qualify for any of the above-mentioned TFWP streams, you must meet specific requirements, including have the following:

• Valid job offer letter
• Valid passport
• Proof that you meet your job offer requirements
• Medical examination and certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of English and French language abilities with test results
• Copy of LMIA
• Proof of funds

Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP)

If you would like to study in Canada, you can gain permanent residency faster compared to most other work visa program options.

The PGWP helps foreign students that have completed a qualification from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to live and work in Canada. As an international student under the PGWP in Canada, you can receive an open-work permit. It will allow you to work either part-time or full-time for a Canadian employer.

This study and work visa program will allow you to work for as many hours as you like. The permit is also valid for eight months to three years. Although this is a good opportunity to live in Canada permanently, it is not recommended if you are looking to build up work experience.

International students that find employment in any occupation classified as highly skilled or under the NOC 0, A, or B types will be eligible to claim Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points if they apply through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Why it is Important to Get a Legal Canadian Work Permit and Visa

A Canadian work permit and work visa go hand in hand to secure your stay in the Great White North. If you wish to work in one of the greatest countries in the world, you require the Canada work visa with a work permit to protect your right as a foreign national to work and live in the country. With it, you are also protected under Canadian labour laws.

Since it allows foreigners to have all the documentation needed to move to and get jobs in Canada, it is essential and will give you peace of mind to legally live and work in Canada.

If you are interested to learn more about the different types of work permits and visas, or to check if you are eligible for either one, you can get in touch with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

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