Working Holiday Visa Canada

CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) offers young people from around the world the opportunity to work in Canada for up to two years, in any Canadian province and for any Canadian employer. The Working Holiday Program does not require a job offer to qualify.

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Foreign workers, students and other individuals from certain countries who meet the requirements may apply for this working holiday visa. Canada designed this program for visiting youth seeking Canadian work experience. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and are interested in working abroad, consider the working holiday visa!

NOTE: Applicants from some countries will not be able to apply if you are over the age of 30. Check the table below to see if your country participates in this program.

The working holiday visa is relatively easy to obtain. As long as the applicant meets the minimum age requirement, can provide proof of citizenship and residence in their country of origin and does not have any medical or criminal issues causing inadmissibility, the applicant is eligible.

This type of work permit will not allow you to work in certain fields such as healthcare or with children because in most cases, a medical exam is not required. 

The government processing fees for this and all Canadian work permits are $150 CAD. The length of validity will vary based on your country of citizenship. Refer to the table below to find out if you meet the requirements for a working holiday visa, Canada offers tremendous opportunities for young travellers.

NOTE: Almost all of these programs have limits on the number of work permits issued each year, so act fast & apply now!

If you are from any of the following countries and fall within the listed age range, you are eligible for the Working Holiday Visa:

Country of origin Age Requirement Country of origin Age Requirement
Australia 18 to 30 Korea, Rep. 18 to 30
Belgium 18 to 30 Latvia 18 to 35
Chile 18 to 30 Lithuania 18 to 35
Czech Republic 18 to 35 Mexico 18 to 29
Costa Rica 18 to 35 Netherlands 18 to 30
Croatia 18 to 35 New Zealand 18 to 35
Denmark 18 to 35 Norway 18 to 35
Estonia 18 to 35 Poland 18 to 35
France 18 to 35 Slovakia 18 to 35
Germany 18 to 35 Slovenia 18 to 35
Greece 18 to 35 Spain 18 to 35
Hong Kong 18 to 30 Sweden 18 to 30
Ireland 18 to 35 Taiwan 18 to 35
Italy 18 to 35 Ukraine 18 to 35
Japan 18 to 30 United Kingdom 18 to 30

If you are from a country not on this list, it is possible that Canada will establish a partnership for youth work and travel in the future.  Be sure to check back regularly!

For more information on obtaining a Working Holiday Visa, please fill out our assessment form.

FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on FacebookTwitter, and Linkedin.