Working Holiday Visa – International Experience Canada (IEC)
The Working Holiday category of International Experience Canada (IEC) lets young adults from eligible partner countries live and work in Canada temporarily on an open work permit, without needing a job offer in advance.
What Is the Working Holiday Visa?
The Working Holiday Visa is one of three categories under International Experience Canada (IEC), a reciprocal youth mobility program between Canada and its partner countries and territories. It is issued as an open work permit, meaning you are not tied to a single employer and can work almost anywhere in Canada while you travel.
Unlike most Canadian work permits, Working Holiday participants do not need a job offer to apply. Eligibility is based entirely on your citizenship, age, and the terms of the youth mobility agreement between Canada and your country or territory.
At Immisa Immigration, we help applicants build a complete, accurate IEC profile, understand the pool and invitation system for their country, and avoid the documentation issues that cause delays or refusals at the port of entry.
Is Your Country Eligible?
International Experience Canada operates through bilateral youth mobility agreements. Only citizens of partner countries and territories can apply, and each agreement sets its own age range, permit length, and number of participants allowed per year.
As of 2026, roughly 35 countries and territories participate, though not every country offers every category:
- Working Holiday only: Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, San Marino
- Working Holiday + Young Professionals + International Co-op: Australia, Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, South Korea
- Working Holiday + Young Professionals (no Co-op): Netherlands
- Young Professionals + Co-op only (no Working Holiday): Switzerland
- Not on this list? Countries such as the United States, India, and China currently have no IEC youth mobility agreement with Canada — we can confirm your options if Working Holiday is not available to you.
Exact age limits and annual participant quotas vary by country and are set each year by IRCC and partner governments. We confirm the current limits for your country during your consultation.
Who Can Apply For Working Holiday Visa
Citizens of a Partner Country
You must hold citizenship (not just residency) in one of Canada's IEC partner countries or territories, and meet that country's specific Working Holiday age range, commonly between 18 and 35 depending on the agreement.
No Job Offer Required
Working Holiday is issued as an open work permit. You do not need a Canadian employer lined up before you apply, and you can change jobs and employers freely once you arrive.
Selected Through the IEC Pool
Most countries use a randomized pool system. You create a profile and enter the pool, but must be invited to apply before submitting your application — entering the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
Step-by-Step Working Holiday Process
Confirm Eligibility & Category
We confirm your country's IEC agreement, age range, and which categories — Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op — you qualify for.
Create Your IEC Profile
You create a profile through the IRCC portal and, where applicable, enter the Working Holiday pool for your country.
Receive an Invitation to Apply
If selected in a pool round, you receive an invitation and a limited window — usually about 20 days — to accept it and submit your application.
Application & Document Submission
We help you prepare the required documents, proof of funds, and supporting evidence within the application deadline.
Biometrics & Processing
You complete biometrics if required, and IRCC processes your application.
Port of Entry Letter of Introduction
Once approved, you receive a letter of introduction to present at a Canadian port of entry.
Work Permit Issued on Arrival
Your open work permit is issued when you arrive in Canada — your authorized stay begins from that date, not your approval date.
WHY CHOOSE IMMISA For Working Holiday Visa?
Eligibility & Category Clarity
We confirm exactly which IEC categories and age windows apply to your citizenship before you invest time in a profile.
Pool & Timing Strategy
Draw dates and quotas change by country and season. We help you enter at the right time and respond quickly once invited.
Document & Port-of-Entry Preparation
We prepare your supporting documents and help you get ready for the port-of-entry interview, where your work permit is actually issued.
Onward Planning
If you want to extend your time in Canada through another program after your Working Holiday, we help you plan the transition in advance.
Our Approach To Working Holiday Applications
Eligibility Assessment
We verify your citizenship, age, and prior IEC participation history against current program rules.
Profile & Pool Guidance
We guide you through building an accurate IEC profile and entering the pool for your country and category.
Long-Term Immigration Planning
We help you understand how a Working Holiday period could connect to future study, work, or permanent residence pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Working Holiday Visa?
It is the open work permit category of International Experience Canada (IEC), available to young citizens of Canada’s partner countries and territories, letting you travel and work for almost any employer in Canada without a prior job offer.
Which countries are eligible?
Around 35 countries and territories have a youth mobility agreement with Canada, including France, Germany, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, each with its own age limits and category rules. Not every country participates — the United States, for example, currently does not — so we always confirm your specific country’s terms first.
Do I need a job offer before I apply?
No. Working Holiday is an open work permit, so you can apply without a job offer and look for work after you arrive.
Is an invitation to the pool guaranteed?
No. Most participating countries use a randomized pool draw. Creating a profile only makes you eligible to be selected; it does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
How long can I stay and work in Canada?
It depends on your country’s agreement, generally between 12 and 24 months, and most countries allow only one Working Holiday participation per lifetime, so accuracy at the application stage matters.
Can I extend my Working Holiday or switch to another permit?
You generally cannot extend a Working Holiday permit itself, but many participants use the experience to later qualify for other work permits, study permits, or permanent residence programs. We can help you plan that transition.
Do I need professional help to apply for IEC?
The IEC application is self-directed through the IRCC portal, but many applicants get the category, timing, or documentation wrong. We help you confirm eligibility, manage pool timing, and prepare a complete application.
Ready To Take that First Step ?
Ready to explore working and travelling in Canada under International Experience Canada? Fill out this short form and someone from our team will get in touch with you!