Canada
Location
12-24 months
Duration
18-35
Age
Working Holiday Visa
Visa
Year-round
Dates

IEC 2026

Please use the contact form to register for our mailing list for information about IEC 2026.

Dive into adventure!

Work and Travel in Canada

What is this program about?

The Canadian Working Holiday Program is a program designed for applicants who want to come to Canada to work and travel. This program meets the demands of Canadian employers, while enabling international young people to earn some income to support their holiday in Canada. Go International provides valuable assistance to participants with settling in, finding a job and accommodation and getting to know Canada.

Who is this program for?

The RO Sponsored package is part of the Canada Working Holiday Program for applicants from YMA countries who need to be nominated by a recognized organization (RO) to be nominated to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the working holiday visa. This package can be used for repeat participants and those who have exceeded the age limit, but still below the age of 36.

If you lose your current job, you can still access our expert help and local connections for employment. Ideal for working in hospitality, tourism, retail, summer youth camp, labor jobs and skilled trades.

This package is for IEC participants who need to be nominated by a recognized organization (RO).

While we would like to be able to meet everyone’s request for participation, please understand that we have very limited spots and will not be able to accommodate all applicants.

DID YOU KNOW?

As part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the International Experience Canada (IEC) program facilitates travel and work opportunities for Canadian and foreign national youth. The program provides the opportunity to gain life-changing personal and professional experience by travelling and working in Canada or abroad. The mandate of IEC is to enhance key bilateral relationships between Canada and other countries and territories and emphasize the importance of improved participation reciprocity. IEC supports Canada’s economic and cultural interests by administering bilateral, reciprocal agreements and arrangements with 35 countries and territories (also known as youth mobility arrangements, or YMAs). Agreements and arrangements are generally open to Canadian and foreign youth aged 18 to 35.

Have a look here for more information about International Experience Canada.

Spend an absolutely amazing vacation working in Canada and truly experience the people, the unique natural beauty and the adrenaline rush that you can only get from this country. Participants in the Working Holiday program meet locals, gain international work experience, earn money to travel and make the most of their working holiday in Canada with us.

Whether you are planning to be a ski bum, a city slicker, or an outdoor traveler… let us help you get a running start to your new adventure.

SECOND TIMERS

Each year, we are able to offer a small number of spots to “Second Timers” – applicants who have already participated in the IEC program and are looking for a repeat IEC participation since they have exhausted their other options of staying in Canada. These spots are very limited and depend on our overall allocation each season.

As a second timer, you may not looking for the same services as someone who is coming to Canada for the first time. Please note that we are not able to sell “visa-only” packages. However, there are great advantages of booking the Canada Working Holiday Program with Go International if you are a second timer.

If you meet the requirements AND we are able to offer you a spot, we will nominate you for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the IEC Working Holiday program.

Support and assistance from Go International staff throughout the entire duration of your stay. (e.g. email and phone support, in-person assistance in the Vancouver office.)

If you lose your job, you can use our resources to find another employment opportunity.

We can directly connect you to our Language & Career programs through our parent companies, Tamwood and ILAC.

You can receive information on how to extend your Social Insurance Number (SIN).

OPTIONAL SERVICES

Participants in our Working Holiday program have the option to add an English or French course, IELTS preparation course, a volunteer program, and/or a career training diploma program in International Business, Digital Marketing, or Hospitality and Tourism through our parent company.

 

Please contact Go International for a full list and fees for these programs.

Let's Get Working!

RO support letter to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Canada Working Holiday Visa application support and guidance

“Living and Working in Canada” online orientation prior to arrival

Job support including resume structuring, cover letter writing, and overall job search guidance

Support from Go International throughout the duration of your stay

Assistance with obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN needed for work), bank account, and phone number [in-person in Vancouver, online otherwise]

Free wifi and printing services available at the Go International Vancouver office

Mail holding services

Access to social activities ranging from pub nights to ski trips in Vancouver and Toronto

[Optional – extra cost] Homestay or residence accommodation arranged

[Optional – extra cost] English lessons in Vancouver and Toronto

[Optional – extra cost] French lessons online

What’s not included:

Flight tickets

IEC visa processing fees (CA$184.75 for the 2026 season)

Travel insurance (mandatory)

Accommodation costs

Personal expenses

CANADA WORKING HOLIDAY VISA ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility varies by country – please see IEC website for the most accurate details. 

Generally, the requirements are:

  • Be a citizen of an IEC country
  • Have a valid passport valid for the duration of your stay in Canada
    • Your work permit in Canada can’t be longer than your passport
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 35 (30 in some countries)
  • Have a minimum of CA$2,500 to help cover your expenses in Canada
  • Have health insurance for the duration of your stay
    • You may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada.
  • not be inadmissible to Canada (may require a police check)
  • have, before departure, a round-trip ticket or demonstrate that you’ll have the financial resources to purchase a departure ticket at the end of your authorized stay in Canada
  • not be accompanied by dependants
  • pay the fees

All the information is subject to change. Please check the IEC website for the most up-to-date information.

It’s a version of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program where you apply for your Canada Working Holiday work permit directly through the Canadian government and then use Go International’s support services (job help, accommodation resources, settling-in advice) once you’ve obtained your permit.

As the name suggests, this DOES NOT include an RO sponsorship for your visa application.

To be eligible, you must:
• Be a citizen of a country that has a Youth Mobility (IEC) Agreement with Canada,
• Be between 18 and 35 years old (exact age cut-off can vary by country),
• Hold or be able to obtain a valid IEC Working Holiday work permit directly through IEC.

In that case, you can apply for your open work permit directly through IEC. If you are looking for general working holiday support in Canada, consider our CWHP Non-Sponsored Program.

Participants can work and travel in Canada for between 12 and 24 months, depending on your country’s agreement.

Not for an open work permit. With the Working Holiday work permit you don’t need a job offer before you arrive in Canada — you can search for work after arrival while exploring the country. Go International offers job search support to help you find employment quickly.

Go International offers personalized support throughout your stay — including help with job searching, finding accommodation, getting a Social Insurance Number (SIN), online orientation for your stay in Canada.

No. ROs like Go International cannot guarantee the visa is granted since that authority lies within the Canadian government. If you are nominated by an RO, you will receive the Invitation to Apply, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to submit all the document to support their application correctly and on time.

If you haven’t found your answer here, you may be able to find it on the IRCC Help Centre.

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