December 16th, 2023 at 05:19 pm

Canada Working Holiday Visa 2023 – All You Need to Know

Complete guide to the Canadian working holiday visa, covering definition, requirements, steps for applying, and commonly asked questions. It may be possible for young people who wish to travel throughout Canada but lack the funds to do so to work while they do so. One sort of visa that enables people to work and spend their earnings on travel is the Working Holiday Visa.

What is the Working Holiday Visa?

With a working holiday visa, young individuals (often students) can enter Canada to find employment and have the opportunity to travel to some of the best locations while working. This visa is a component of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which enables young people to work as young professionals in Canada, travel, and complete an international internship.

Your home country must have an exchange agreement with Canada for young workers, or you can call a Recognized Organization (RO), to be eligible for both Working Holiday Canada (WHC) and International Experience Canada (IEC). These well-known organizations assist young people in finding jobs and completing their job applications for a fee. Several reputable organizations that support youth seeking a Working Holiday Visa include:

• GO International
• SWAP Working Holidays
• Stepwest

If your nation has an agreement with Canada or if you select an RO, you can begin the Working Holiday Canada application process. You will receive an “Open Work Permit” with this visa, allowing you to go to Canada to hunt for employment there. If you don’t yet have a job offer but wish to travel around Canada and work for several companies, this visa is ideal for you.

You can visit Canada for a year on a Working Holiday Visa, after which you can return home. You are free to work for several companies and travel to any part of the nation during this time.

How to Apply

The following are the stages involved in applying for a Working Holiday Visa, which can be time-consuming.

1. Create your International Experience Canada Profile

To be included in the application pool, you must provide the Government of Canada with the following data:

• Using your GCKey or bank details, create an account with the Government of Canada on their official website.
• Next, find out whether you qualify by taking the test. It will inquire about your place of residence, citizenship, country of permanent residency, employment offer, and status as a student.
• The system will direct you to the page where you must complete your profile forms if it determines that you are eligible for the IEC.
• In addition, provide your details, passport number, travel itinerary, contact details, and other information on the profile forms.
• Check if you can be eligible for the working holiday visa by sending in your information.
• Although you don’t have to finish your resume right away, you do need to submit it within 60 days of beginning it.

2. Enter the pool of applicants

The Canadian government maintains a pool of applicants for each area of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program. Once your description is complete, you can add your name to the list of eligible applicants. In this situation, you ought to apply for a Working Holiday Visa.

You may qualify for multiple pools. You can apply for both the Working Holiday Visa and the Young Professionals Visa, for instance, if you qualify for both. However, you may not submit your name more than once for the same set of contenders.

You have one season or one year, to be a member of the candidate group. You will need to resubmit your profile if, after the season, you are not invited to apply.

3. Get an Invitation to Apply

The Canadian government periodically selects individuals at random from a pool of candidates and requests their applications. This is where you may view the schedule for the invitation rounds, the total number of applicants, and your likelihood of being selected.

You’ll receive a notification on your account if you receive an offer. After that, you can choose to accept or reject. You have ten days from the time you get an offer to determine whether or not to accept it. You will remain in the running for the next round of invites even if you decline.

The applicant will have to decline one offer to accept the other if you are in multiple pools. In addition, applicants must decline an offer from the Young Professionals pool, for instance, if they are in both the Working Holiday and Young Professionals pools to be eligible for the Working Holiday Visa.

You will have 20 days to complete an application for a work permit if you answer in the affirmative.

4. Apply for a Work Permit

You have to start applying for a work visa as soon as possible because you only have 20 days to do it. Before proceeding, you must first complete the relevant forms using the details you provided when submitting your profile. There is a place where you will be asked about your job offer about the Working Holiday work pass. These are things that you must do.

In the field for the offer of employment number, input “A999999.”
Also, when asked if your business has paid the “Employer Compliance Fee,” select “No.”
In addition, type “Non-applicable – Working Holiday” in the employer’s address field.
The system will generate a list of the supporting documents you must submit once you have completed all the forms. Although this is a unique list, it might contain the following items:

a. Police Certificates

For any nation, you have resided in for more than six months after turning eighteen. If, after 20 days, you are unable to obtain them all, you will have to provide documentation of your request and be prepared to present it to a representative of the Canadian Consulate. You will not be eligible for a work pass if you have a criminal record.

b. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

This displays your career history, education, talents, current position, and workplace.

c. Medical Exam

If you intend to work in a job that requires one or if you have lived in a country where your health could be in danger, you should see a doctor to obtain a certificate of good health. You must upload this form, IMM 1017B – Upfront Medical Report, as it is a component of your application. Should you be unable to obtain this form within the allotted 20 days for submitting your application, you may demonstrate your continued waiting for the form by including documentation.

d. Passport and Digital Photo

A clear copy of your passport, valid until the day you depart Canada, must be sent in. In addition, a digital photo of oneself that satisfies the specifications given in the photo requirements must be submitted.

Submit other forms:

• Schedule 1 – Application for a Temporary Resident Visa Made Outside Canada.
• IMM 5707 – Family Information
• IMM 5645 – Family Information
• You must provide proof that the recognized organization (RO) is assisting you with your working holiday in Canada if you are working with one.

5. Pay the Fees and Submit Application

You must pay CAD$100 to International Experience Canada and CAD$100 to Open Work Permit Holder to obtain a Working Holiday Visa. There will be an additional CAD$85 biometrics cost if you are requested to submit your biometrics.

After making these payments, submit your application for a work permit. After reviewing your application, the Canadian government will notify you of your eligibility. They will advise you on what to do next if you are. You might be asked to do an interview or provide extra information by the Consulate. Should you fail to meet their requirements, your work permit application will be denied.

6. Get your PoE Letter and Travel to Canada

You will receive a recommendation letter or a Port of Entry (PoE) letter to Canada if your application is approved. You have to carry the letter at all times while you travel. It’s now possible to arrange lodging and purchase a ticket to Canada. Upon your initial arrival in Canada, you will need to bring the following items:

• Your travel document.
• Also, a letter of introduction to PoE.
• In addition, evidence shows you have the CAD 2,50 necessary to cover your first three months of living expenses in Canada.
• Moreover, evidence of valid health insurance in Canada.
• Additionally, a return ticket from Canada to your nation of origin, or sufficient funds to purchase one.
• Aside from that, copies of the documents you submitted with your work permit application.
• The validity of your work permit is determined by the Canadian Consulate, but it is typically valid for a year. You risk being deported if you don’t return home after your work visa expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2023, how long will it take to obtain a work permit in Canada?

Canada Nine weeks are needed to process a work visa. For skilled trades (federal), the processing time through Express Entry online is 47 months. Processing time for skilled workers (Quebec) is 21 months. It takes 26 months to complete skilled worker applications online using Express Entry (federal).

How much does it cost to apply for a Canada working holiday visa?

You must pay CAD$100 to International Experience Canada and CAD$100 to Open Work Permit Holder to obtain a Working Holiday Visa. There will be an additional CAD$85 biometrics cost if you are requested to submit your biometrics.