Introduction to the Canada Working Holiday permit

Documents required during the WHP application process

IF you receive an Invitation to Apply, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• A digital copy of your passport identification pages and copies of all the pages with stamps and visas.
• A standard up-to-date IEC curriculum vitae (resume)
• A passport-size digital photo of yourself.
• Form IMM5707 “Family information.”

Additional supporting documents that could be required, depending on your situation:

• Police certificate(s)
• A poof of medical exam performed by a doctor that has been approved by IRCC.

Not all candidates must provide police certificate(s) and/or proof of medical exam.

Here are more details on these supporting documents:

Your passport

You have to provide a digital copy of your passport identification pages (pages 2 and 3) as well as copies of all the pages with stamps and visas. All these pages must be combined into a single document.
If you’re a dual citizen with two valid passports, you must use the passport matching the citizenship under which you’re applying. For instance, if you’re both a British and an Australian citizen, and if you’re applying as an Australian citizen, you must provide copies of your Australian passport.

Your resume

You must provide an up-to-date resume with detailed information about your education and work history (including internship and volunteer experience, if applicable). Include end and start dates and location (city, state, country).

Your digital picture

You must provide a recent (less than six months) digital passport-size picture. Keep in mind the requirements, including a plain white or light-coloured background and a neutral facial expression.

Form IMM5707 “Family information”

Download the Family Information Form (IMM5707), fill it out, print it, sign it, and scan it to upload it with all the other supporting documents. This two-page form requires you to provide information about your parents, partner/spouse and children, if applicable.

Police certificate(s)

This requirement doesn’t apply to all candidates. You may have to provide police certificate(s) if you have a criminal record (criminal offence or arrest) or if you lived in a foreign country for more than 6 months since the age of 18. If you lived in Canada, a Canadian criminal record check will be conducted, if needed—you may be asked to provide fingerprints or additional information later.

Proof of medical exam

You may be required to undergo a medical exam if:

• You have any physical or mental disorder that requires social or health services, other than medication, during your stay in Canada.
• If you or a family member had tuberculosis within the past two years or have been in contact with a person who has tuberculosis.
• If you recently lived in Canada designed as having risk factors for tuberculosis.
• If you plan to work in a job where it’s important to protect public health (including health services, child care or primary or secondary education).
• If you have recently lived or travelled in certain countries or territories for six months or more and there may be a risk of importation of tuberculosis.

If you plan to work in health services, child care, education or apply for a job where you will give in-home care to children, the elderly and the disabled, you may have to take a medical exam. Otherwise, all WHP are issued with the following mention: “Not authorized to work in 1) child care 2) primary or secondary school teaching 3) health services field occupations.” (including taking the medical exam in Canada) will be costly and long.

The medical exam must be performed by a Government of Canada-approved “panel physician.”

To learn more about the required documents, read chapter 11 of our Step-By-Step Tutorial to International Experience Canada Work Permits — International Co-op, Young Professionals and Working Holiday Applications.