5 Reasons to Apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa

Imagine snowboarding down powdery white slopes on your downtime at Whistler or experiencing the wonder of the Northern Lights first hand in between your hospitality jobs. Sounds like a dream, right?        

Canada’s working holiday program, also known as the International Experience Canada (IEC 2022) program, is one of its most popular work visa programs and a great way to work and discover the beauty that Canada has to offer. 

The program offers thousands of young individuals from 36 participating countries the opportunity to work and travel throughout Canada for up to two years!

Spots for the IEC program are limited and can be challenging to get due to its popularity. Ready to find out what makes visas from this program so in demand? 

Let’s take a look at the top five reasons more than 34,350 people from all over the globe apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa every year. 

#1. Explore the True North

Canada is truly one of the most beautiful places that you’ll get to experience in this lifetime. Picture rolling landscapes, larger-than-life wildlife, world-class cities, lush forests, rugged coastlines, and majestic mountains! A working holiday in Canada is a great way to discover the country’s true beauty as your work schedule can be as flexible as you want it to be.

#2. Meet New People

Canada is not only one of the most beautiful countries in the world but is also one of the most diverse. In fact, it prides itself on how multicultural it is, so much so that joining in festivities like Lunar New Year, Diwali, and many other global celebrations is the norm. Canada’s population has more than 250 different ethnic origins and ancestries, which means that you’ll be able to meet new people from almost anywhere in the world.    

#3. Experience Canadian Culture

Besides its global population, Canada itself has a rich tapestry of local culture. Rooted deeply in British, French, and American heritage, Canadian culture includes three indigenous groups known as the First Nations, Inuits, and Métis. Discover the history, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs unique to Canadian cultural groups, as well as some favourite Canadian pastimes such as ice hockey, cultural festivals, or sample a steaming bowl of Poutine on your next working holiday adventure.

#4. More Freedom

Canada’s International Experience Class (IEC 2022) program can give you up to two years to travel and work in Canada! The IEC has three categories to choose from. The Working Holiday category lets you choose to work as much or as little as you want (wherever you want, for any employer). However, the Young Professionals and Internship categories may give you a little less freedom as you’ll only be able to work for a specific employer.

#5. More Opportunity

Canada offers a world of opportunity when it comes to gaining valuable work experience, especially if you’re looking for entry-level work experience abroad. And the best part? If you apply for an employer-specific work visa through the Young Professionals or Internship categories, your work experience could count towards permanent residency if it’s classified as highly-skilled work.

How to Apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa

1. Check Your Eligibility

To be considered eligible for the IEC, you’ll need to check three things:

• Are you from one of the participating countries? OR
• Are you able to use a Recognized Organization (RO) or youth service organization that offers work and travel support; AND
• Are you eligible to travel to Canada?

In addition, you’ll be asked a few questions about your citizenship, country of permanent residence, country of residence, as well your student status, and job offer (if applicable). If you get a positive result, you can create your online profile. This helps to determine which programs you qualify for.     

Please note that you will only be able to travel to Canada if you’re fully vaccinated or have proof of a valid job offer and can start working straight after the quarantine is complete.

2. Create Your Profile

Creating an online IEC profile is free and consists of information from your answers to the eligibility questions. You will need to submit the following to complete your profile:  

• Passport number
• Identity
• Contact information 

3. Submit Your Application

Once you’ve completed your profile, you’ll be notified of which programs you qualify for. You can submit your profile to one or more categories that you qualify for. Your profile will then be entered into a pool of eligible candidates per country and per category.

4. Gather Your Documents

While waiting to find out if you’ve been successful, you can start gathering your supporting documents as you’ll only have 30 days to submit them from the date they’re requested.   

General document checklist:

• Proof of financial support
• Medical exams
• Health insurance
• Police certificates
• CV/résumé
• Passport
• Digital photo
• Electronic Travel Authorization or Visitor visa application

5. Accept Your Invitation

If you receive an invitation, you’ll have 10 days to decide if you want to accept it and 20 days to apply for your work permit. If you don’t respond, your working holiday visa application will automatically expire.

Ready to start the adventure of a lifetime? Applying for your Canadian working holiday visa through the International Experience Canada (IEC 2022) program on your own can be stressful. Need advice? Take a look at CanadianVisa.org and get the help you need to secure your spot among thousands of hopeful applicants.