Work Permit Program

Working Holiday Visa

The IEC Working Holiday program allows young people from partner countries to work and travel in Canada for up to 2 years. It's an open work permit that provides complete flexibility.

Check Your Eligibility Document Checklist

Processing Time

Posted by IRCC after you submit documents and biometrics

Application Fee

$184.75 CAD

Documents

6 Required

PR Pathway

Available

Program Overview

About Working Holiday Visa

The International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday category allows young people from eligible countries to obtain open work permits to work anywhere in Canada. It combines work and travel in one permit.

Working Holiday is available to citizens of 35 countries and territories that have a youth mobility arrangement with Canada. Age limits are 18 to 35 for most, and 18 to 30 for Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden. Switzerland is not on the Working Holiday list, but Swiss citizens can use Young Professionals or International Co-op.

The 2026 IEC season is open. The program works on a pool system with a limited number of spots per country. You submit a profile, and IRCC sends Invitations to Apply in rounds until the spots run out or the season closes. You cannot apply for the work permit without an invitation.

Work Permit Conditions

Open work permit - work for any employer

Valid for 1-2 years depending on country

Must have health insurance throughout stay

Participation limits depend on your country's arrangement

Free Work Permit Assessment

Find out if you qualify for a IEC Working Holiday work permit. Our RCIC-licensed consultants will review your profile and provide guidance.

Start Free Assessment Get Document Checklist

RCIC License: R515110

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Meet these requirements to qualify for Working Holiday Visa.

Citizen of a country with IEC Working Holiday agreement

Meet your country's age limit (18 to 30 or 18 to 35, inclusive)

Valid passport for the duration of stay

At least CAD 2,500 to cover your expenses in Canada

Health insurance for the whole stay, with a round-trip ticket or funds to buy one

Check your country's participation limit, since some allow only one IEC participation

How to Apply

Application Process

Step-by-step guide to applying for Working Holiday Visa.

Check Eligibility

Verify your country has a Working Holiday agreement and you meet the age and other requirements.

Create IEC Profile

Use your IRCC secure account to take the IEC questionnaire and submit your profile while the season is open. The 2026 pools are open now.

Enter the Pool

Submit your profile to enter the Working Holiday pool. Wait for an invitation.

Receive Invitation

If selected in a draw, you receive an Invitation to Apply. You have 10 days to accept.

Submit Application

You have exactly 20 days from accepting to submit your work permit application, pay your fees and upload your documents.

Receive Port of Entry Letter

Upon approval, receive a Port of Entry letter. Get your work permit at Canadian border.

Documentation

Required Documents

Gather these documents before starting your application.

Valid passport

Proof of funds (bank statement showing CAD 2,500+)

Travel health insurance proof

CV/Resume

Police certificate (for some countries)

Biometrics (if required)

Get Complete Checklist

Costs

Application Fees

Government fees for IEC Working Holiday work permit applications.

IEC Participation Fee

$184.75 CAD

Open Work Permit Holder Fee

$100 CAD

Biometrics

$85 CAD (if required)

* Fees are subject to change. Check IRCC website for current rates.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

How IEC Working Holiday can lead to Canadian PR

Working Holiday provides Canadian work experience that counts toward Express Entry. Many participants find employers willing to sponsor them for longer-term work permits or pursue Provincial Nominee Programs.

Explore Express Entry Provincial Programs

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Working Holiday Visa

What countries can Canadians get a working holiday visa?

Canadians aged 18 to 35 can apply to work and travel abroad through IEC for Canadian citizens, which is a separate list on canada.ca. If you want to come to Canada on a Working Holiday, these 35 countries and territories are eligible in 2026: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Age limits and participation limits depend on your country.

How hard is it to get a working holiday visa for Canada?

You cannot apply for the work permit unless IRCC sends you an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Candidates create a profile, enter the pool for their country, and are invited in rounds until the spots run out or the season ends. IRCC publishes the spots and key dates for each country on its rounds of invitations page. Once invited, you have 10 days to accept and exactly 20 days from accepting to submit your application. A complete application with funds, insurance and any police certificates avoids delays.

Who is eligible for Canada's WHV?

You must be a citizen of an eligible country, within your country's age limit (18 to 35, or 18 to 30 for Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden), hold a passport valid for your stay, have at least CAD $2,500, have health insurance for the whole stay, have a round-trip ticket or funds to buy one, and be admissible to Canada. Some countries allow only one IEC participation. The IEC fee is $184.75 plus a $100 open work permit holder fee, $284.75 in total, and $85 for biometrics if required. Start in the IEC section of your IRCC secure account.

Is Canada rejecting 80% visa?

No. Refusal rates differ widely by program, country and file, and IRCC does not publish a single figure that applies to every application. For Working Holiday, the main steps are getting an invitation and then submitting a complete application on time. Refusals usually trace to missing funds or insurance, incomplete documents, or admissibility problems such as a missing police certificate or medical exam.

Can I go from WHV to PR?

Yes, the Working Holiday Visa is a strong pathway to permanent residence if used strategically. The 12 to 24 months of Canadian work experience earned on a WHV qualifies for Canadian Experience Class under Express Entry, provided your job is in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. In September 2026, Canadian Experience Class rounds had cut-offs of 518 to 521, and category-based rounds have different cut-offs, so check your CRS first with our CRS Calculator. Some PNP streams also nominate WHV workers based on provincial labour needs. Start gathering reference letters, paystubs, and tax documents early to support a future PR application.

Who is eligible for working holiday visa in Canada?

Working Holiday is open to citizens of 35 partner countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea. You must be within your country's age limit (18 to 30 or 18 to 35), hold a valid passport, have CAD $2,500 for your expenses, carry health insurance for the full stay, have a round-trip ticket or return funds, and be admissible to Canada. You also need an Invitation to Apply from IRCC, then pay $284.75 in IEC and open work permit holder fees. A Working Holiday permit is open, so you can work for most employers anywhere in Canada.

What is the easiest country for Canadians to move to?

For Canadians, the easiest countries to move to combine permissive immigration policies with cultural similarity. The UK offers a Youth Mobility Scheme for ages 18 to 35 with 2 years of work authorization. Australia's Working Holiday for Canadians runs to age 35. New Zealand has a similar program. Portugal's D7 passive income visa welcomes retirees and remote workers. Spain offers a digital nomad visa. France allows Canadians 90 visa-free days. Ireland is the easiest for ancestry-based citizenship if you have an Irish-born grandparent. Each option has its own eligibility criteria.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in Canada?

Canadian jobs commonly paying $500,000+ annually concentrate in specialized roles: medical specialists like cardiothoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons; senior corporate executives including CEOs and CFOs at major firms; investment bankers and senior portfolio managers in Toronto and Calgary; partners at Bay Street law firms in M&A or corporate practice; senior tech executives at major Canadian or US-affiliated firms; and successful business owners. Most require 10 to 20 years of senior experience, professional credentials, and proven results. Working Holiday workers typically start in entry to mid-level roles, not at this tier.

Ready to Apply for IEC Working Holiday?

Book a consultation with our RCIC-licensed consultants. We'll assess your eligibility and guide you through the application process.

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.