Canada Working Holiday Visa – Taking some time off work to go on a vacation or relax is an important aspect of working efficiently. This is why there has been a significant increase in young professionals traveling in Canada.
Young professionals who have not built a robust travel budget and still wish to explore other countries during their vacation days are usually money-conscious during their travel. This is why most people look for temporary work during their vacation. With this, they can work in Canada, stay in Canada, and still travel.
The International Experience Canada (IEC) understands the rising need for young professionals to work and travel. This is why the Canadian Working Holiday Visa was created.
What is the Canada Working Holiday Visa?
The International Experience Canada (IEC) is the program through which open work permits are awarded to young professionals to apply for work using their work experience during their holiday.
This type of visa is awarded to people from only 30 countries. The visa enables them to apply for a work permit only after applying and are chosen to apply for a work permit. If your country of origin is not on the list, you are ineligible to apply.
This type of visa enables finance and budget-conscious travelers, work, travel, and enjoy themselves throughout their holiday.
Who can apply for it?
As attractive as the working holiday visa is too young professionals around the world, being eligible to apply for this visa will allow you to know if you will be awarded this visa and be able to enter Canada or will have to enter Canada by applying for another type of visa.
The eligibility requirements for the Canada Working Holiday Visa include;
- Only applicants from the 30 IEC participating countries can apply for this visa. You must be a citizen or a passport holder of one of the participating countries.
- Passport for the duration of time you will be staying in Canada. The work permit issued to you will not have a longer duration than your passport.
- Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 30 or 35 at your application time. The upper age limit depends on your country of citizenship.
- Admissible to Canada
- Take out health insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
- You must go to Canada alone without dependents.
- You must have a round-trip ticket on arrival in Canada or have the financial resources to purchase a ticket at the end of your authorized stay.
- You must pay the appropriate fees associated with the work permit application.
What are the benefits of the Canada Working Holiday Visa?
Though it is based on being a member of the 30 IEC countries and rests heavily on your name being drawn out of a pool of applicants, there are many benefits of acquiring the Canada Working Holiday Visa.
These include;
- Financial stability:
For budget-conscious professionals, the working holiday visa provides a comfortable avenue where they can spend less of their savings and enjoy their holiday.
- Acquiring recognized work experience:
Working in Canada during your holiday, even if it is an internship in Canada like the international co-op internship offers, allows you to acquire work experience recognized in any part of the world. It tells prospective employers that you can adapt, thrive, and grow in a foreign environment.
- International experience of lifestyle and work culture:
With a working holiday visa, you can gain international experience in the Canadian lifestyle and work culture. This means that you can live and understand the typical Canadian work and life relationship.
- A crucial decision-making advantage:
Applicants trying to decide whether to immigrate to Canada and are concerned about how they will adapt to the lifestyle can choose this visa. You can use this visa to test the regular Canadian lifestyle before making immigrant decisions.
- Increased chances for job offers:
Telling prospective Canadian employers of your experience working in Canada in your letter of introduction or employment profile increases your chances of securing a job offer during immigration.
What does it cost to receive the Canada Working Holiday Visa?
The participating fee for all participants to apply for the Working Holiday Visa is $153 for 2020.
An open work permit fee of $100 is required for applicants for the working holiday visa. For Young Professionals, a fee of CAD$230 is required from your employer.
An equivalent of CAD$2,500 should be available on landing to help cover all your initial costs.
Other costs incurred during the process are;
- Medical exam fees
- Health insurance
- Other costs associated with documentation and the interview process
How do I check my eligibility for the Canada Working Holiday Visa?
Any applicant should meet the minimum requirements for the Canada Working Holiday Visa. You should also meet other requirements specific to your country of origin and the specific working holiday program you fall under.
You can check other eligibility requirements on the official Canada Immigration website.
Click here, and within 2 minutes, you will know if you qualify for the Canada working holiday visa.
