IEC Working Holiday Visa

What is the IEC Working Holiday Visa ?

It provides temporary work permits under the International Mobility Program to young foreign nationals from over 30 countries, so they can legally live and get a job in Canada. The permits are usually valid for either 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship (unless you have inadequate health insurance, more on that later).

Candidates must first create a profile, which notifies Canadian authorities of their desire to receive a working holiday visa in Canada. Successful candidates will receive an invitation to formally complete their application for a work permit, however this success is subject to eligibility and availability.

How to Get a Working Holiday Visa in Canada

To get a Working Holiday Visa in Canada, follow these steps:

1. Create a Profile on the IRCC Website:
• Register on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and create a profile.
2. Participate in Draws:
• Draws are held regularly to randomly select candidates to receive invitations to apply for a work permit until all places are filled for the year.
• Create a profile any time after the opening date for your country, but it’s best to apply as early as possible since the Working Holiday category is highly popular.
3. Choose Your Pool:
• Enter one or more pools based on your country and work permit category (e.g., "Australia: Working Holiday", "Ireland: Young Professionals").
• IRCC will give at least five days' notice before each country’s and category’s final rounds of invitations, marking the closure of that pool for the season.
4. Steps to Become a Candidate and Receive an Invitation:
• Complete the Come to Canada questionnaire to check your eligibility for an IEC work permit. If eligible, you’ll receive a personal reference code.
• Use this code to create your account and build your IEC profile.
• Submit your profile and choose the IEC pools you want to join.
• Wait to be selected. If selected, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Accept or decline the invitation within 10 days.

IEC Canada Eligibility: Working Holiday Visa Requirements

To apply for an IEC Working Holiday Visa in Canada, you must:

• Be a citizen of one of the 35 countries with a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada, or be from the United States and apply through a recognized organization.
• Have a valid passport for the duration of your stay.
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 or 35, depending on your country of citizenship.
• Have at least CAD $2,500 upon landing to cover initial expenses.
• Obtain health insurance for the full duration of your stay (evidence required at entry).
• Be admissible to Canada.
• Have a round-trip ticket or enough funds to purchase a departure ticket.
• Not be accompanied by dependents.
• Pay the applicable fees of CAD $172.
• Citizens of certain countries must be resident in their country of citizenship when applying.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Become a Candidate in the IEC Pools:
• Complete the Come to Canada questionnaire and receive a personal reference code.
• Create your account and build your IEC profile.
• Submit your profile and choose the IEC pool(s) you want to join.
• Wait for an ITA. If you receive one, you have 10 days to start your application or decline the invitation.
2. Apply for an IEC Work Permit:
• Accept the ITA and press the ‘Start Application’ button. You have 20 days to submit your work permit application and pay any fees.
• For Young Professional and International Co-op categories, your employer must pay the CAD $230 employer compliance fee and provide you with the Offer of Employment number.
• Gather and upload all required documents (e.g., police or medical certificates). If not immediately available, upload proof of application for these documents.
• Pay the relevant fees and submit your application.
• IRCC will assess your application and may request additional documents.
3. Enter Canada:
• If your application is approved, you’ll receive a Port of Entry (POE) Introduction Letter.
• Book your travel to Canada.
• Upon arrival, present the following documents to an immigration officer at a Port of Entry to receive your work permit:
• Valid passport.
• Letter of Introduction.
• Proof of travel insurance for the entire duration of your stay.
• Proof of at least CAD $2,500 in your account within the last 7 days.
• Proof of onward travel or additional funds to leave Canada.
• Printed copies of your police certificate.
• Details of your country’s IEC treaty.
• Proof of medical examination, if required.

Important Notes

• Health Insurance: Adequate health insurance coverage is mandatory. Without it, you may not receive your IEC work permit, or the duration of your permit may be shortened to match the length of your insurance coverage.
• Proof of Funds: Present a bank statement showing at least CAD $2,500 within the last 7 days at the Port of Entry.
• Fees: You only pay fees if selected and proceeding with your work permit application (CAD $172 processing fee, CAD $100 open work permit holder fee, and possibly an $85 biometrics fee).

Tips to Increase Your Chances

• Enter the pool early, as the 2024 season is open. The longer you are in the pool, the more chances you have of being selected.
• Consider applying through the Young Professional program if your country offers it, as it may increase your chances of success.

Additional Information

• Work Experience and Permanent Residency: Work experience gained on a Working Holiday permit can be used to support a permanent residence application, depending on the type of work and the PR application requirements.
• Accompanying Spouse: Applicants cannot be accompanied by dependents, but a spouse or common-law partner can apply for their own Working Holiday visa or a Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

Contact Visa Nexa for Immigration Assistance

Need Canadian immigration assistance? Visa Nexa Inc. is here to help. We can assess your eligibility and submit your application to the Canadian government. With over 10 years of expertise, Visa Nexa in Mississauga, Ontario has been helping clients achieve their dream of becoming Canadians. Our head offices are in Delhi (VISAWALK) and Chandigarh (The Mentors). Reach out to us today and take the first step toward your new life in Canada!

Click here to fill the CONTACT US form