Hey, traveler! Are you at the peak of your youth, looking for excitement and new experiences? Look no further, since Canada’s Working Holiday Visa program could be your ticket to a life-changing adventure!
So, what is the deal? Let’s simplify. Imagine yourself touring Canada’s breathtaking landscapes, earning work experience, and developing your language skills. Does it sound dreamy? This is achievable thanks to the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative.
Now, before you start packing your bags, let’s go over how this entire procedure works.
What is a Working Holiday in Canada?
A working holiday visa is permission that allows persons (of specific nationalities and ages) to live and work in another country. Most working holiday participants want to experience a new culture while earning a little cash on the side.
Canada issues working holiday visas through the International Experience Canada (IEC), a government-sponsored program for foreigners. Working holiday visas are valid for 12 or 24 months, depending on your nationality.
With the IEC program, you can work in any city or province you want. From the coastal villages of British Columbia to the lovely medieval towns of Quebec, you’re bound to find somewhere that piques your interest.
If you’re undecided, the visa permits you to travel throughout the country and stay in several cities to evaluate what works best for you.
Best of all, you don’t need a formal job offer to receive your working holiday visa; you may just relocate to Canada and begin looking for work once you’re settled.
How To Get A Working Holiday In Canada
The IEC application process is rather basic. However, you cannot simply fly to Canada and expect to find work.
You will first need to apply for a working holiday visa and a work permit. Unfortunately, not every applicant is chosen to participate in the IEC program.
1. Become an Eligible Candidate
The first step in obtaining a working holiday visa in Canada through the IEC program is to complete the online “Come to Canada” questionnaire. If you meet all of the required criteria, you will be considered eligible to continue with the IEC program.
Make a note of the “personal reference code” you received at the end of the questionnaire. You will need this to establish a profile on the Come to Canada site.
When you make an account and fill out your details, you will be included in an application pool for your native country.
2. Receive an invitation to apply.
After you’ve submitted your Come to Canada profile, it’s time to wait. At regular intervals, the IEC program issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) to different applicants in the pools. Keep in mind that applications are chosen at random, so apply as soon as possible to improve your chances of getting selected.
Once you receive your ITA, you will have ten days to accept or decline the invitation.
3. Apply for a working holiday visa.
If you decide to apply for the program, you can do so immediately through your Come to Canada account. Since you only have 20 days to apply for the visa, you should have all of your paperwork and information ready ahead of time!
After submitting your job and education background, travel documents, photos, and medical tests or police records (depending on your home country), you must pay an ICE cost of CAD 150 and a working holiday fee of CAD 100.
4. Get biometrics taken.
To verify your identification, have your fingerprints scanned and pictures taken to submit with your application. The IEC program will issue you a biometrics letter, which you must present to your nearest Visa Application Center (VAC).
Remember that you only have 30 days to submit your biometrics. And, because VAC visits must be planned, you should make an appointment as soon as possible. Biometrics are required to complete your IEC application.
Biometrics are valid for 10 years, so if you’ve taken them before, you can reuse the information for your IEC application.
5. Receive confirmation.
After you submit all of your paperwork, the IEC program will review it. Generally speaking, the application evaluation procedure takes about eight weeks.
If your application was accepted, congratulations! You’re on your way to beginning your new adventure in Canada.
IEC will issue you a Point of Entry (POE) acceptance letter, which you must maintain with you when traveling to Canada. This paperwork is critical to acquiring your work visa from Immigration.
Final Thoughts
Living and working in a new nation can be immensely satisfying. Not only will you have the opportunity to see new sites, languages, cuisines, and more, but you will also make a decent living to help support your future travels.
Furthermore, international work experience is a valuable addition to your CV. But, most importantly, you’ll meet new people and build lasting relationships. A working holiday is an excellent opportunity for young people and visitors to have unique experiences.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be intimidating, but it also leads to wonderful adventures.
In Canada, there are multiple job options available. All you need to do is take the first step and apply. What have you got to lose? The Great White North is waiting for you.