Working Holiday Visa: United Kingdom in Canada

What this visa is and who it suits

The IEC Working Holiday is an open work permit for UK citizens aged 18 to 35 (you must apply before turning 36). Unlike employer-tied visas, it lets you work for almost any employer, switch jobs freely and travel in between. It suits anyone wanting a genuine working holiday rather than a single fixed job, whether that is seasonal resort work, hospitality shifts in Vancouver or office temping in Toronto. You get up to two years in Canada on one permit, more flexibility than most equivalent schemes, and no requirement to have a job offer before you apply.

How to apply and the key timeline

You start by creating an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) profile and entering the IEC pool. For 2026, the UK allocation is roughly 9,330 places, so entering the pool does not guarantee a spot. IRCC runs periodic draws and issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to selected candidates. Once invited, you submit your full application, pay the fees, and provide biometrics. Total government costs run to about £205 (CAD 172 participation fee, CAD 100 open work permit holder fee, CAD 85 biometrics). Build in several months between pool entry and actually travelling.

What you can actually do there

With your open work permit, you can take almost any job across Canada, from ski-resort and hospitality work to office roles, and change employers whenever you like. The permit runs for up to 24 months, giving plenty of scope to mix work stints with proper travel, whether that is road-tripping the Rockies, exploring Quebec or island-hopping British Columbia's coast. You are also free to travel outside Canada and re-enter, as long as your permit remains valid, making it easy to combine this with wider North American trips during your stay.

Tips and common mistakes

Enter the pool as early as your plans allow, since draws happen periodically and places for the UK are limited. Before you get an ITA, start saving toward the roughly CAD 2,500 in funds IRCC expects you to show, and sort health insurance covering your entire stay, as gaps here are a common rejection reason. Do not book flights before receiving your ITA and approved permit. Keep documents, proof of funds and insurance evidence ready to move quickly once invited, since response windows are tight.

Common questions