◆Working Holiday Visa through International Experience Canada (IEC)◆
Getting Your Canadian Working Holiday Visa:
Your Gateway to an Unforgettable Adventure in the Great White North
The application process is simple and can be completed independently, but meeting the eligibility requirements is key. Whether you're part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program or exploring other work opportunities, understanding the essentials will ensure a smooth and hassle-free application process.
★Key Points★
・Age Requirements: Generally between 18 and 35 years old; however, some countries have an age limit of 30.
・Length of Stay: Typically up to 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship.
・Study Limitations: Permitted to study for up to 6 months without requiring a separate study permit.
・Financial Requirements: You must demonstrate sufficient funds, typically at least CAD$2,500, to cover initial expenses during your stay in Canada. Proof of a return ticket or adequate funds to purchase one is also required.
・Health and Character: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you must have no criminal record and be in good health. In addition, you must have valid health insurance covering their entire stay.
You may need to provide documentation, such as police certificates or undergo a medical examination, to prove this.
A. Who Can Apply
Individuals who:
- aged 18 to 30 (or up to 35 for certain countries in green) from eligible nations with a youth mobility agreement (YMA) with Canada, including the following countries;
★Andorra - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Australia - You may participate in the Working Holiday category only once.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may participate in IEC one more time through the International Co-op (Internship) category.
★Austria - You may participate once per IEC category (Working Holiday, Young Professional, and International Co-op).
★Belgium - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Chile - You may participate in IEC twice, under any category.
★Costa Rica - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Croatia - You may participate in IEC twice, under any category. There must be a three-month break between the expiry date of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC and the submission date of your second IEC work permit application.
★Czech Republic - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Denmark - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Estonia - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Finland - You may participate in IEC 3 times. You must choose a different category each time.
★France - You may participate in the Working Holiday only once. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may participate in the IEC program again under the International Co-op (Internship) category.
*If you participated in the IEC program only once before 2015, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in any category of your choice. However, those who participated in the IEC program more than once before 2015 are not eligible to apply.
*French citizens taking part in the Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) program in Canada must apply for a work permit through the IEC program. They should submit their profile to the Young Professionals pool under the VIE category. Participation in the VIE program before 2015 does not count as an IEC participation.
★Germany - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Greece - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Hong Kong - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Iceland - You may participate in IEC twice.
★Ireland - You may participate in the Working Holiday category only once.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can participate in the IEC program again under the International Co-op (Internship) category.
*If you participated in the IEC program before 2013 for up to 12 months, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in any category of your choice. However, individuals who participated in the IEC program more than once before 2013 are no longer eligible to apply.
★Italy - You may participate in IEC twice under any category.
★Japan - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Republic of Korea - You may participate in IEC twice. You can choose the Working Holiday or Young Professionals category twice. However, you may only participate in the International Co-op category once.
★Latvia - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time. You must wait at least one year between the expiration of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC program and the date you submit your application for a second IEC work permit.
★Lithuania - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time. You must wait a minimum of 3 months between the expiration of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC program and the submission of your application for a second IEC work permit.
★Luxembourg - You may participate in IEC only once.
★Netherlands - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★New Zealand - You may participate in IEC only once. If you participated in IEC before April 2, 2015, you are no longer eligible to apply.
★Norway - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Poland - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time. A minimum six-month gap is required between the expiration of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC program and the submission of your application for a second IEC work permit.
★Portugal - You may participate in IEC once, under any category.
★San Marino - You may participate in IEC twice.
★Slovakia - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time. You must wait a minimum of 3 months between the expiration of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC program and the submission of your application for a second IEC work permit.
★Spain - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time. You must wait a minimum of 3 months between the expiration of your first Canadian work permit under the IEC program and the submission of your application for a second IEC work permit.
★Sweden - You may participate in IEC twice. You must choose a different category each time.
★Taiwan - You may participate in IEC only once.
★The United Kingdom - You may participate in IEC twice:
- a first participation of 24 months under any category
- a second participation of 12 months under any category
If you took part in the IEC program before 2015 for up to 12 months, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in any category.
Individuals who have already participated in the IEC program twice are no longer eligible to apply.
◎If you submit your visa application at the age of 30 (or 35) but turn 31 (or 36) before a decision is made, your visa can still be approved as long as you meet all other eligibility criteria.
B. Length of Stay
・Citizens of New Zealand: Up to 23 months
・Citizens of Australia, France, Ireland, the Republic of Korea, and Portugal: Up to 24 months
・Citizens of the United Kingdom: Up to 36 months
・Citizens of other countries: Up to 12 months
C. Cost
IEC fee: CAN$179.75 (for the 2025 season)
*If biometrics are required, you must pay the biometric fee at the same time as your IEC fee.
Open work permit holder fee: CAN$100
More details: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/index.asp
D. What You Can Do
You can:
- Take on short-term jobs to support your travels
- Work for multiple employers and in multiple locations
- Study for up to 6 months without needing a study permit*
*Study permit
You can study without a study permit if:
・You hold a valid work permit that was issued on or before June 7, 2023.
・You received a letter on or before June 7, 2023, granting you authorization to work while your work permit application is being processed.
- This letter can be used if you are awaiting a decision on your work permit extension.
*Please note that you are not eligible if you applied for a new IEC participation and are still awaiting a decision.
>>> You can check your eligibility at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/workers-study-without-study-permit.html
Note:
Traveling Outside and Re-entering Canada on a Working Holiday Visa
You can travel in and out of Canada during your visa’s validity period. However, re-entry is subject to approval by border service officers upon arrival with a valid passport and either:
- a visitor visa, or
- an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
Please note that a work permit is not a visa or passport that allows entry to Canada, nor is it a guarantee of your re-entry.
Restrictions on Extending or Making Changes to Your IEC Work Permit
Extending your participation or making changes to your International Experience Canada (IEC) work permit is only possible under certain specific conditions.
Be sure to check the eligibility criteria on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website before making any plans.
E. Eligibility
To be eligible for the working holiday visa through IEC, you must:
✔Hold a passport from an eligible country or region for the duration of your stay in Canada
*Your work permit in Canada cannot be valid past your passport's expiry date.
✔Be between 18 and 30 years old (or up to 35 for some countries)
✔Apply from outside Canada through an online application
✔Submit the application independently; family members, including spouses or common-law partners, cannot be included in your application.
✔Have enough money - minimum of CAN$2,500 to help cover your expenses in Canada
✔Have health insurance that covers your entire stay in Canada
*You may be required to show proof of this insurance upon entry.
✔Not be inadmissible to Canada, meaning you must have no criminal record and be in good health.
*You may need to provide documentation, such as police certificates or undergo a medical examination, to prove this.
✔Before departure, you must either have a round-trip ticket or show proof of sufficient funds to buy a return ticket when your authorized stay in Canada ends.
✔Ensure that no dependents accompany you.
✔Pay the IEC and the open work permit holder fee.
◆To check more details, visit
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/about.html
◆Other resources:
[Video] Step-by-step walkthrough guide of the application process: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/application-process-glance.html