Fancy working and travelling around Canada for up to two years rather than squeezing it into a fortnight? The International Experience Canada Working Holiday visa lets Australians aged 18 to 35 do exactly that, with an open work permit that's flexible on employers and jobs. Here's what it actually involves.
- Who
- Australia passport holders
- Age
- 18–35
- Stay
- up to 2 years
- Cost
- ~£200 (CAD ~370)
What this visa is and who it suits
This is Canada's International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday category, aimed at Australians aged 18 to 35 who fancy a proper stint of work and travel rather than a fortnight's holiday. You need to apply before you turn 36, and once approved you get an open work permit valid for up to two years — one of the longest working holiday windows going. It suits anyone wanting to fund a longer trip through casual or seasonal work, gain international experience, or simply live somewhere different for a while without being tied to one employer or one job.
How to apply and the timeline
Start by creating an IEC profile through the official Canadian government immigration website and selecting Working Holiday as your category. You'll submit basic details, then wait to be invited to apply — invitations come in rounds, so timing varies and isn't guaranteed instantly. Once invited, you complete the full application, pay the fee (around £200, roughly CAD 370), and provide proof of CAD 2,500 in available funds plus valid health insurance for your stay. After approval, you'll get a letter of introduction to show at the border, where an officer issues your actual open work permit.
What you can actually do there
With the open work permit, you can work for almost any employer across Canada, switch jobs freely, and travel between provinces without needing separate permission. Many Australians pair seasonal work — think ski resorts in winter, hospitality or farm work in summer — with genuine travel time exploring the Rockies, road-tripping the coasts, or exploring cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. With up to two years on the permit, there's room to properly settle into a city for work and still leave months free for slower travel before your permit expires.
Tips and common mistakes
Apply well before your 36th birthday — once you've turned 36, you're no longer eligible, even mid-process. Keep your CAD 2,500 in funds accessible and documented, as border officers can ask for proof on arrival. Sort health insurance before you travel, not after, since it's a condition of entry, not just a suggestion. Create your IEC profile as early as possible, since invitation rounds aren't instant and delays add up. Double-check your permit's expiry date on arrival, as this locks in your two-year window regardless of when you actually start working.
Common questions
How much does the Canada working holiday visa cost for Australians?
The IEC Working Holiday visa costs around £200 (roughly CAD 370) for Australian applicants, covering the application and permit fees, on top of the CAD 2,500 funds you must show separately.
Can I extend my working holiday visa in Canada?
No. The IEC Working Holiday permit for Australians is issued for a maximum of two years and cannot be extended, so you'll need to leave or switch to another visa category before it expires.
Do I need a job offer before applying?
No, the Working Holiday category doesn't require a job offer beforehand, since it's an open work permit — you can search for work once you arrive in Canada.
Kiera leads our working-holiday and visa coverage — the eligibility rules, the fees, and the fine print that actually decides whether you can go. She's most at home on the Australia and New Zealand routes and keeps it plain, with every number checked against the official government source.
Guidance only — youth-mobility rules, ages, quotas and fees change. Always confirm on the official government page before you book flights or apply.
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