Canada Working Holiday Visa: How to Apply Easily
Canada is one of the most popular Working Holiday destinations for Australians thanks to its strong job market, English-speaking environment and the possibility to stay for up to 24 months. Each year, around 5,600 Australians are able to obtain a Canada Working Holiday Visa under the International Experience Canada (IEC) programme.
The Canada Working Holiday Visa provides an open work permit, which in general allows Australians to work for most employers in Canada without securing a job offer in advance, while travelling freely during their authorised stay.
The application process is completed online through a selection pool system, with timelines that typically range from several weeks to a few months, depending on invitation rounds and document submission. Invitations to apply are issued regularly throughout the IEC season until the annual quota is reached.
This guide is designed to help Australians understand the Canada Working Holiday Visa: how it works, who is eligible, how to apply step-by-step, what documents and costs are required, and how to prepare before departure.
- Australians can obtain a Canada Working Holiday Visa for up to 24 months
- Around 5,600 places are available each year for Australians
- Applications are made online through the IEC pool system
- No job offer is required before arrival
- Proof of funds of at least CAD 2,500 (AUD 2,800–3,000) is generally required at entry
- Health insurance covering the entire stay is mandatory
- The work permit duration cannot exceed passport or insurance validity
- Applying early in the IEC season increases selection chances
What Is the Canada Working Holiday Visa?
Who Is Eligible?
- 🇦🇺 Australian citizen with a valid passport
- 🎂 Aged between 18 and 35 at the time of application (in general)
- 🛂 Passport valid for the entire intended stay in Canada
- 👶 No dependent children accompanying the applicant
What Can You Do With This Visa?
- 💼 Work for most employers in Canada under an open work permit
- 🧳 Travel freely across Canada during the authorised stay
- ⏳ Stay and work in Canada for up to 24 months for Australians, subject to immigration approval
How to Apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa
Step 1: Create Your IEC Profile Online
Applications are made through the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Eligible Australians must create an online IEC profile and select the “Working Holiday” category under the International Experience Canada programme.
This step does not involve fees and simply places the candidate in the selection system.
Step 2: Enter the IEC Pool
Once the profile is submitted, the applicant enters the Working Holiday pool for Australians. A pool is a group of eligible candidates from which IRCC randomly issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during regular selection rounds.
Chances of receiving an invitation generally depend on the annual quota allocated to Australians and the number of candidates in the pool. In general, Australians benefit from relatively favourable odds, but selection is never guaranteed.
Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply
If selected, the applicant receives an Invitation to Apply through their IRCC account. There is a strict deadline, generally 10 days, to accept the invitation.
⚠️ If the invitation is not accepted within this timeframe, it expires and the applicant is removed from the pool for that season.
Step 4: Submit Your Full Application
After accepting the invitation, the applicant must complete the full online application within the set deadline, generally 20 days. This includes filling in personal and background forms, paying the required fees and uploading supporting documents. Documents must be accurate, complete and legible, as incomplete applications may be refused.
Step 5: Biometrics and Medical Exam (If Required)
Most applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Australians usually complete this step at an authorised biometrics collection centre outside Canada, depending on availability.
A medical exam is only required in specific cases, such as if the applicant plans to work in healthcare, childcare, or has lived in certain countries. Medical requirements are assessed by IRCC and may vary.
Step 6: Receive Your Port of Entry Letter
If the application is approved, IRCC issues a Port of Entry (POE) letter. This document confirms approval but is not the visa itself. The actual work permit is issued by Canadian border officers upon arrival in Canada, provided all entry conditions are met, including proof of insurance and financial resources.
💡 The duration of the work permit cannot exceed passport validity or the length of the insurance coverage presented at the border.
Documents Required for a Canada Working Holiday Visa
Document | Mandatory? | Application Stage | Useful Information |
|---|---|---|---|
🛂 Valid Australian passport | Yes | Profile creation & full application | The passport must be valid for the entire intended stay in Canada. The work permit duration cannot exceed passport validity. |
📄 CV / résumé | Recommended | Full application | Generally required in the Canadian résumé format. It helps demonstrate employability but is not systematically mandatory. |
🚓 Police certificate | Sometimes | Full application | Required in some cases, depending on personal history and countries of residence. Requirements are determined by IRCC. |
📸 Digital photo | Yes | Full application | Must meet IRCC technical specifications. Non-compliant photos may delay or block processing. |
💰 Proof of funds | Yes | Arrival in Canada | Applicants must generally prove sufficient funds upon entry to support themselves. For Australians, it is generally set at at least CAD 2,500, (AUD 2,800 to AUD 3,000) |
🩺 Health insurance certificate | Yes | Arrival in Canada | Proof of insurance covering the full stay is generally mandatory. Without it, the work permit duration may be reduced or entry refused. |
Health insurance is mandatory under the Canada Working Holiday Visa, as Canadian authorities may require proof of coverage for the entire stay upon arrival, and the absence of adequate insurance can result in a shorter work permit duration or refusal of entry. Moreover, Working Holiday visa holders are not covered by the Canadian public healthcare system which makes Travel Insurance even more important.
Compare the best WHV insurance plansHow Much Does the Canada Working Holiday Visa Cost?
Type of cost | Mandatory? | Amount (AUD) | Useful information |
|---|---|---|---|
🏛️ IEC participation fee | Yes | Approx. AUD 275 | Fee paid to IRCC when submitting the full application. Based on official fees and subject to exchange rate variations. |
💼 Open work permit holder fee | Yes | Approx. AUD 155 | Required for the Working Holiday category to obtain an open work permit. |
🧬 Biometrics fee | Sometimes | Approx. AUD 140 | Only applicable if biometrics are required. Biometrics are generally valid for 10 years. |
🚓 Police certificate | Sometimes | AUD 0–100 | Cost depends on the issuing country and individual situation. Required only in specific cases. |
🩺 Medical exam | Sometimes | AUD 250–400 | Required for certain jobs (healthcare, childcare) or personal histories. Prices vary by approved physician. |
Yes | AUD 600–1,200 | Generally mandatory for the full authorised stay. Lack of insurance may lead to a shorter permit or refusal of entry. | |
✈️ Flight ticket | Yes | AUD 1,200–2,000 | Cost depends on season, departure city and destination in Canada. |
💵 Arrival funds (proof of funds) | Yes | Approx. AUD 2,800–3,000 | Corresponds to the minimum CAD 2,500 usually required upon arrival. Amount may evolve and must be confirmed with IRCC. |
👉 In total, Australians should generally plan for an overall budget of approximately AUD 5,400 to AUD 9,300, excluding personal expenses, depending on individual circumstances, travel dates and insurance coverage.
Although health insurance represents an additional cost, it can help avoid very high medical expenses in Canada, where healthcare is costly for non-residents and even minor treatment can result in significant out-of-pocket costs without adequate coverage.
Get my WHV insurance quoteHow Long Does the Process Take?
For Australians, the Canada Working Holiday Visa process generally takes from a few weeks to several months, depending on selection rounds and individual circumstances. Some applicants are invited quickly and receive approval within weeks, while others may wait several months in the pool before being selected.
💡 In general, applying early in the IEC season is recommended, as more places are available and timelines are more predictable.
Processing times may vary due to biometrics, medical exams or additional document checks, and should always be confirmed with Canadian immigration authorities.
How Many Places Are Available for Australians?
Each year, Canada allocates around 5,600 Working Holiday places to Australian citizens under the IEC programme. This annual quota is set by Canadian immigration authorities and may change from one season to another.
Australians generally have relatively high chances of receiving an invitation, as quotas have often been sufficient to meet demand. However, selection is not guaranteed.
Once the quota is reached, no further invitations are issued and remaining candidates must wait for the next IEC season.
Canada Working Holiday Insurance
Is Canada Working Holiday Insurance Mandatory?
Health insurance is mandatory for the Canada Working Holiday Visa, as required by Canadian immigration authorities.
👉 Applicants are expected to hold insurance covering medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the entire authorised stay. Coverage must generally match the full length of the intended stay in Canada.
Canadian border officers may check the insurance certificate upon arrival, including coverage dates and guarantees. Arriving without valid insurance may result in a shorter work permit duration or refusal of entry.
Working Holiday visa holders are not covered by the Canadian public healthcare system which makes Travel Insurance even more important.
Which Canada Working Holiday Insurance Should You Choose?
Australians usually look for policies covering emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation and work-related risks.
Common mistakes include insufficient coverage duration, missing repatriation cover or policies not specifically designed for Working Holiday visas.
Get your Working Holiday insurance certificate in 2 minutes
What Jobs Can Australians Do in Canada?
Australians on a Working Holiday Visa commonly find jobs in hospitality, tourism, construction, agriculture and ski resorts. These sectors regularly hire temporary workers and offer flexible, short-term contracts.
Job opportunities are particularly concentrated in provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, especially in major cities and tourist regions.
Strong English skills are a clear advantage for Australians, especially in customer-facing roles, although some positions may require basic French in certain areas.
Can You Extend or Change Your Status?
In general, the Canada Working Holiday Visa cannot be extended beyond its maximum authorised duration.
Once the permit expires, Australians must either leave Canada or hold another valid immigration status, subject to eligibility and approval by Canadian authorities.
👉 After a Working Holiday, other options may be available, such as applying for a Young Professionals permit with a qualifying job offer, an employer-sponsored work permit, or exploring permanent residence pathways. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and immigration rules in force at the time, which should always be confirmed with Canadian immigration authorities.
Common Mistakes Australians Make
- Applying too late in the IEC season, when quotas may already be close to full and invitations more limited
- Underestimating insurance requirements, despite health insurance generally being mandatory for the full authorised stay
- Arriving without sufficient proof of funds, which may be checked by Canadian border officers
- Confusing the Port of Entry (POE) letter with the actual work permit, which is only issued upon arrival if all conditions are met
FAQ
In general, Australians can participate in the Canada Working Holiday programme up to two times, subject to eligibility rules in force at the time of application. Each participation must be approved separately and quotas apply.
No, a job offer is not required. The Working Holiday Visa provides an open work permit, which generally allows Australians to look for work after arriving in Canada.
Yes, in general it is possible to leave and re-enter Canada during the validity of the work permit, provided the passport, work permit and entry conditions remain valid. Re-entry is always at the discretion of border officers.
Finding work is generally achievable, especially in sectors such as hospitality, tourism and seasonal industries. However, job availability depends on location, season and individual flexibility.
How long is the Working Holiday Visa valid for Australians? For Australians, the Working Holiday Visa is usually issued for up to 24 months, subject to passport validity and compliance with entry requirements.
Yes, applicants are generally required to show proof of at least CAD 2,500 upon arrival, which corresponds to approximately AUD 2,800–3,000. Requirements may evolve and should be confirmed with immigration authorities.
Yes, Canadian border officers may ask for proof of health insurance covering the entire intended stay. Insufficient insurance can result in a shorter work permit or refusal of entry.
In general, applying early in the IEC season is recommended, as more places are available and timelines are more predictable before quotas begin to fill.
