Updated on May 26, 2025 by canadian immigration experts
Working Holiday Visa in Canada
Your ticket to work, travel & grow
Are you aged 18 to 35 and yearning for adventure? Canada’s Working Holiday category—one of three streams in International Experience Canada (IEC)—lets young adults live and work anywhere in the country on an open work permit for up to 24 months (12 months for a few partner countries). The 2025 season opened December 16th, 2024, and continues with weekly invitation rounds until quotas are filled.
Holiday Visa Process – How the Program Works
| Quick Facts | 2025 Season |
|---|---|
| Age range | 18–35 for most partners (18–30 for a few, e.g., Australia now 35) oaicite:1 |
| Countries & territories | 35 with youth-mobility agreements + applicants via Recognized Organizations (ROs) oaicite:2 |
| Permit type | Open work permit (no job offer needed) |
| Validity | 12 or 24 months, depending on nationality |
| Proof of funds | CAD 2,500 minimum, bank statement ≤ 1 week old on arrival oaicite:3 |
| (Latest IEC Working Holiday Canada News) | Mandatory for entire stay |
| Dependents | Not allowed on the same permit |
Successful applicants receive temporary work permits, valid for either 12 or 24 months, based on their country of citizenship.
Working Holiday Visa Canada Eligibility & Criteria
Citizenship in a partner country or sponsorship by an IEC-recognized organization (for U.S. citizens & others without a bilateral agreement).
Passport valid for the full permit length.
Age within the country-specific limit on the date your Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued.
CAD 2,500 in accessible funds.
Health insurance covering medical care, hospitalisation & repatriation.
Clean admissibility (no serious criminal/medical grounds).
No dependants accompanying you.
Find Out If You're Eligible
Canada Working Holiday Visa 2025 Season Timeline
The journey begins with creating a profile on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
| Date | Milestone | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 2024 | Pools opened for all countries | Create a profile early to enter every draw |
| Jan–Oct 2025 | Weekly draws; ITAs issued until quotas reached | Monitor IRCC Rounds of Invitations page Fridays oaicite:4 |
| 10 days | Accept/decline ITA | Set GCKey alerts so you never miss the deadline |
| 20 days | Submit full work-permit application & fees | Gather police certs, digital photo, CV in advance |
| ~8 weeks | Average IRCC processing + biometrics | Biometrics |
| Letter of Introduction | Valid 12 months to enter Canada | Book flights only after LOI approval to avoid change fees |
Working Holiday Visa in Canada – Fees & Budget
| Item | Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IEC participation fee | $161 | Paid online with application |
| Open work-permit fee | $100 | Added automatically at checkout |
| Biometrics | $85 | Exempt if given in last 10 years |
| Insurance (est.) | $450–$900 / yr | Must cover full stay; show proof at border |
| Initial funds | $2,500 | Bank statement or equivalent cash instruments |
Working Holiday Visa Canada – Step-by-Step Application Guide
Create IRCC account → complete Come to Canada questionnaire.
Enter the pool → choose Working Holiday.
Receive ITA → accept within 10 days.
Upload docs & pay fees.
Give biometrics at VAC within 30 days (if needed).
Await decision → check GCKey messages.
Get LOI → print & carry along with insurance, funds proof, and onward-ticket evidence.
Activate permit at a Canadian port of entry; receive your SIN in Canada and start job-hunting.
Life in Canada on a Working Holiday
Job flexibility: Work for any employer, any province—ideal for ski resorts, hospitality, summer camps, tech start-ups.
Language boost: Practise English and French in bilingual regions.
Travel funds: Earn Canadian wages (median CA$17–$23/hr) to finance road-trips, or Northern Lights tours.
Networking: Canadian work experience can unlock PR pathways (Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs).
Transitioning to Permanent Residence
| Route | Minimum Requirement | Why It Pairs Well With IEC |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) | 12 months skilled work (NOC 0, 1, 2 or 3) | Your open permit lets you gain qualifying experience. |
| PNPs (e.g., BC, Ontario, Alberta) | Job offer + 6–12 months work | Employers often hire WHV holders full-time. |
| Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) | Job in participating community | Seasonal tourism towns love IEC workers. |
List of Countries with Working Holiday Agreements with Canada:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Get A Working Holiday Visa
Ready to Start Your Canadian Adventure?
Our Canadian Immigration Experts have guided thousands of youth and employers through Canada’s immigration maze from IEC work permits to permanent residence. We’ll:
Check your eligibility and maximise draw chances.
Review your documents to avoid refusals.
Plan PR pathways so your adventure can become a long-term future.
Can I apply twice?
Yes if your bilateral agreement allows a second participation (e.g., Australia, Ireland). You must wait until the first permit expires.
How long does IEC processing take in 2025?
IRCC reports 7–9 weeks on average, but peak spring months may run longer.
Can I study on a Working Holiday permit?
Up to 6 months without a study permit.
What if I’m 35 and turn 36 while waiting?
Age is locked in on the ITA date, as long as you were eligible then, you remain eligible.
Is a return ticket mandatory?
Not if you show additional funds to cover onward travel (≈ CAD 1,000). Officers decide case by case.
Age limits vary by country, typically ranging from 18 to 35.
While not mandatory during application, applicants must demonstrate CAD$2,500 upon arrival.
The processing fee for the Working Holiday Visa is CAD$172, with additional fees for biometrics.
While dependents cannot accompany applicants, spouses or common-law partners can apply for their visa or a Spousal Open Work Permit upon the applicant's arrival.
5 weeks after you submit all documents and give biometrics.
Participants are protected by Canadian labor laws. Employers must pay the minimum wage, ensure workplace safety, and not take passports or work permits away from participants.
Conclusion
Canada’s Working Holiday Visa program invites young adventurers to work, explore, and forge lasting memories in one of the world’s most captivating countries. With careful planning and a spirit of adventure, your Canadian dream awaits! Apply now and embark on the journey of a lifetime.
