Working holiday visa in Canada
Dear Miss Powell,
I AM trying to decide if I want to finish my degree or switch to another programme, so I am going to take some time off from university to just get some work experience and think. I heard that there is a work and travel programme in Canada, and I would like an opportunity to participate. Is this a popular programme? Can you tell me how I can qualify?
WP
Dear WP,
Individuals between the age of 18 and 35 years old may be able to come to Canada on a working holiday visa to gain experience working in Canada and learning about Canadian culture. The programme is known as the
International Experience Class (IEC).
To be eligible, you must create an online profile via an IEC portal, like the Express Entry portal, so that you can be admitted into the pool of candidates. Once you enter the pool, your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a work permit will be based on the programme for which you are qualified. The main categories are The International Co-op (internship), Young Professionals, and The Working Holiday programmes.
This programme is very popular and in 2023, over 100,000 youths from around the world qualified. The programme has a few changes this year. There is now an IEC fee of CDN$172 and you need to be a citizen of one of the countries that are on the list of approved countries. Individuals from the
United Kingdom and Korea may be able to work up to 36 months.
ELIGIBILITY
Your country of citizenship must have an agreement with Canada that allows you to apply for the work permit, or if your country is not on the list, then you will need to use one of the recognised organisations (RO) to assist you with your application.
The list of countries eligible for a working holiday visa are: Andora, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Organisations known as recognised organisations, situated in Canada, assist young people from both Canada and other countries in working and travelling abroad through the IEC. Some ROs may be able to assist a small number of young people from non-partner nations to take part in IEC under specific conditions. If your country is not listed above, then you may be able to qualify with the help of a recognised organisation (RO). You must be between the age of 18 and 35. These ROs may charge a fee to help you.
Some of these organisations are International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, International Association for Students of Economics and Commerce, SWAP Working Holidays, GO International and Stepwest. You will need to apply to them directly to find out if they can assist you in organising your travel or to locate employment in Canada.
If you require additional assistance, you may request a telephone or Zoom consultation with an authorised Canadian lawyer to assist you further.