Working Holiday Requirements

The basic requirements for Canadian Working Holiday Programs differ from country to country. The Canadian Working Holiday Program tends to be administered by the High Commission or Consulate office of the country of the passport holder's origin.

It must be noted that Canada has reciprocal Working Holiday Programs with a limited number of countries.

In general, the requirements are as follows:

Age Requirement

Be aged 18-30 years inclusive at the time you apply. Your application must be stamped as received by the Canadian Consulate General on or after your 18th birthday, or on or before your 31st birthday.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Be admissible to Canada under the Immigration & Refugee Protection Act of Canada. You must declare any medical problems or previous criminal convictions for your application to be considered;
Must not have dependents accompanying you;
Must not have previously been issued a Letter of Introduction for the Working Holiday Program to Canada, whether it has been used or not;
Must be a citizen of the participating country.

Validity / Timing

From issuing of the "Letter of Introduction", you have up 12 months to enter the country. You are able to work for up to 12 months from your date of entry.

Proof of Funds

Evidence of access to approximately CA$4,000 in available funds. You may be required to present evidence of this at a Port of Entry in Canada.

Quotas

A maximum number of visas under the Working Holiday Program to Canada will be granted in any 1 year.

Employment Issues

No restrictions on type of employment that can be undertaken. However, medical and education based employment will require medical examinations in Canada.

Entry & Re-entry

Multiple entries are permitted. However, the time allowed for on your work visa is not put on hold whilst you are out of the country.

Application procedures for nationals of the following countries United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and Denmark can be found in the Europe section of this site.

Application procedures for Australia can be found in the Australasia section.

Japanese and Korean nationals should visit the Japan and Korea section of the Canadian Visa Bureau website.

Americans should visit the American section of the Working Holiday section of this site.

Any working holiday programs for citizens of other countries would be handled by the Canadian High Commission or Embassy in that particular country.

Refer to www.cic.gc.ca for a list of visa offices around the world.

Backpacker Travel Insurance

Visa Bureau considers it essential for all our clients to have adequate travel insurance, especially if they are embarking on a Working Holiday or Gap Year to Canada.

Top of any Working Holiday Maker’s priorities should be to ensure that they are sufficiently covered in the event of a medical emergency. With the Canadian Visa Bureau, you are able to take advantage of our exclusive 10% discount offer off any insurance package with Columbus Direct.

Visit our partners Columbus Direct to receive a 10% discount on your travel insurance

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