Where can Canadians go via International Experience Canada (IEC)?

What is International Experience Canada?

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a comprehensive program that gives young Canadians the opportunity to obtain a temporary work permit in partner countries. Depending on the destination country, Canada’s youth mobility program can consist of several categories, the most popular being the working holiday category.

1. Working holiday category

This category is for you if you don’t yet have a job offer and if you want to work (possibly for several employers, depending on your destination) or simply want to travel during your stay. This is a flexible open work permit.

2. Young professionals category

This category is for you if you have a job offer in your field of study. You can only work for one same employer for the duration of your stay. The position must also be remunerated (i.e. no unpaid internships).

3. International co-op category

This category is for you if you are a student enrolled in a higher education establishment and if an international trip is a compulsory part of your course of study. The internship must be in your field of study.

What are the 30+ destinations available to Canadians?

Andorra

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have health insurance

The Andorra working holiday lasts for 12 months, and there are only 25 spots every year. Find more information on the website of the government of Andorra.

Australia

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday (subclass 417)

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least AU$5000 or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of AU$635
• Have health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The Australia working holiday can last up to 36 months. However, to benefit from the full duration, participants must spend time working in a qualifying field (see all): 3 months for the first renewal, and 6 months for the second.

Austria

Youth mobility categories:

• Intra- and Partner Company Training Program
• Young Workers Exchange Program
• Working Holiday Program

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a passport that is valid until 3 months after the stay
• Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay (no specific number)
• Pay the visa fee of 150 euros
• Have health insurance

The Austria working holiday lasts 12 months and cannot be extended or renewed. Find more information from the Austrian Embassy in Ottawa.

Belgium

Youth mobility categories:

• D: Long stay visa (Working Holiday Program)

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 2500 euros
• Pay the administrative fee of 220 euros and the consular fee of CA$300
• Provide a clean background check and a medical certificate
• Have health insurance

The Belgium working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Belgian Embassy in Canada.

Chile

Youth mobility categories:

• 1: Postsecondary graduate seeking additional training (requires job offer)
• 2: Inter-institutional work-study
• 3: Work placement (requires job offer)
• 4: Working holiday visa

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least US$2600
• Pay the visa fee of US$135
• Write a motivation letter
• Clean background check and medical certificate
• Have health insurance

The Chile working holiday visa (category 4) lasts 12 months. You can only participate once in Chile’s youth mobility program. Find more information on the website of the Embassy of Chile in Canada.

Costa Rica

Youth mobility categories:

• Young professionals
• Working holiday visa

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$2500
• Pay the visa fee of approximately CA$70
• Have health insurance
• Proof of clean background check dating from less than 6 months
• Write a motivation letter
• Provide a legalized birth certificate
• Have no child dependents
• Provide a work contract

The Costa Rica working holiday visa lasts 12 months. However, you may participate a second time in a different category. There must be a break of at least 3 months between the two participations.

It is required to have a work contract, regardless of the category. You must first arrive in Costa Rica as a tourist (up to 90 days), and as soon as you obtain a work contract, you can submit an application for one of the visa categories. You will need to pay US$200 for the change of status from a tourist.

Find more information on the website of the Embassy of Costa Rica in Canada.

Croatia

Youth mobility categories:

• Postsecondary graduate seeking new work experience (requires job offer)
• University internship (requires job offer)
• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Pay the visa fee of CA$100
• Have health insurance
• Proof of accommodation is to be provided to the relevant police precinct of the police department in Croatia after arriving

The Croatia working holiday lasts 12 months. It is however renewable for a second participation, in any of the categories. There must be a gap of at least three months between the two participations.

Find more information on the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Canada.

Czech Republic

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Young professionals
• B: Registered students seeking training via a pre-arranged work contract (requires job offer)
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$2500, and CA$1500 for the plane tickets
• Pay the visa fee of CA$146
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of health insurance

The working holiday in the Czech Republic lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time under a different category, but there must be a break between the two participations.

Find more information on the website of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa.

Denmark

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 15,000 DKK
• Have a return flight OR an additional 5000 DKK
• Have health insurance
• Pay the visa fee of 2115 DKK
• Participants may not work more than a total of 6 months

The Denmark working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of Danish immigration services.

Estonia

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Postsecondary graduate seeking training via a prearranged work contract
• B: Student wishing to undertake a prearranged internship in Estonia
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$2500
• Pay the visa fee of CA$150
• Proof of health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The Estonia working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category (A or B). Find more information on the website of the Embassy of Estonia in Ottawa.

Finland

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday
• Young professionals (requires job offer)
• Internship or co-op (requires job offer)

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• At least €2000 in savings for the first 3 months
• Have a return ticket, or sufficient extra funds to purchase one
• Pay the visa fee (€380 for online application or €480 by paper)
• Health insurance
• Not travelling with child dependents

The Finland WHV lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category. Find more information on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

France

Youth mobility categories:

• 3A: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• 3B: Inter-university exchange
• 3C: Internship (requires job offer)
• 3D: Working holiday visa

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 2500 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Return flight or an additional 1000 euros
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of health insurance
• Residents of Quebec: attestation de séjour de la RAMQ

The France working holiday lasts 12 months. It is renewable once with an autorisation provisoire de séjour. Additionally, you can participate once in another category as well, bringing the total stay possible up to 36 months.

See our complete guide on how to apply for a France Working Holiday Visa.

Germany

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• B: Practical internship (requires job offer)
• C: School holidays
• D: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 3000 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of 100 euros
• Have health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The German WHV lasts 12 months. However, you can participate a second time in a different category (A, B, or C).

You can apply for the WHV from within Germany. Find more information on the website of German Missions in Canada.

Greece

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Young professionals
• B: Registered student wishing to complete one part of his or her program in Greece
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 1800 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of 100 euros
• Clean background check and medical certificate
• Proof of health insurance

The Greece working holiday lasts 12 months, but you can participate a second time in a different category (A or B).

Find more information on the Youth Mobility application form and the website of the Embassy of Greece in Canada.

Hong Kong

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least HK$15,000 or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of HK$230
• Letter of motivation
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The Hong Kong WHV lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Iceland

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Reside in Canada
• Proof of funds (239,895 ISK per month, for first three months)
• Pay visa fee of 16,000 ISK
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record
• Return flight, or sufficient funds to purchase one

The Iceland WHV lasts 12 months, and can be extended by another 12 months for a total of 24 months. Apply on the website of the government of Iceland.

Ireland

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday
• International co-op internship

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$2500
• Pay the visa fee of CA$150
• Proof of health insurance

The Ireland working holiday lasts 24 months. You must register your arrival at the immigration bureau (GNIB) and pay 300 euros. The co-op internship category lasts 12 months. Canadians are permitted to participate in both categories, for a maximum total of 36 months.

Find more information on the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Canada.

Italy

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 1900 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of CA$170
• Proof of health insurance

The Italy working holiday lasts 12 months, and Canadians can participate in the program twice.

Find more information on the website of the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto.

Japan

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$3500
• Proof of return flight or an additional CA$1000 in savings
• Pay the visa free of CA$29
• Letter of motivation and CV
• Medical certificate stating that you are in good health
• Recommended to have health insurance

The Japan working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal.

Latvia

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• B: Registered student wishing to complete a part of his or her program in Latvia (requires job offer)
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 1373 euros
• Pay the visa fee of 60 euros
• Proof of health insurance

The Latvia working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category, but there must be a break between the two participations.

Find more information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

Lithuania

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• B: Registered student wishing to complete a part of his or her program in Latvia (requires job offer)
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 1390 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of 60 euros
• Proof of health insurance
• Not be travelling with dependent minors

The Lithuania working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category.

Find more information on the website of the Ministry of Social Security and Labor.

Luxembourg

Youth mobility categories:

• D: long stay visa

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 2500 euros
• Pay the visa fee
• Clean background check and medical certificate
• Letter of motivation and CV written in French, English, or German
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The Luxembourg working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Netherlands

Youth mobility categories:

• Single permit: Young professionals
• Residence permit: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Proof of sufficient funds (no specific number)
• Pay the visa fee of 70 euros
• Proof of health insurance

The working holiday in the Netherlands lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in the Young professionals category, which also lasts 12 months but requires a job offer.

Find more information on the website of Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst.

New Zealand

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least NZ$4200 or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of NZ$420
• Clean background check
• Medical certificate for the 23-month visa
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The New Zealand working holiday lasts 23 months. You can also study or train for up to 6 months total.

Find more information on the website of New Zealand Immigration.

Norway

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Postsecondary graduate seeking training via a pre-arranged work contract in Norway (requires job offer)
• B: Inter-institutional work-study (requires job offer)
• C: Young professional (requires job offer)
• D: Registered student wishing to work during school holidays
• E: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 37,611 NOK for the first three months, or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee between 5900 and 6300 NOK
• You cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months
• Proof of health insurance
• Not be travelling with dependent minors

The Norway working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category.

Find more information on the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration.

Poland

Youth mobility categories:

• Young professionals (requires job offer)
• Internship (requires job offer)
• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Pay the visa fee of CA$116
• CV
• Return flight or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one
• Proof of health insurance

The Poland working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Government of Poland.

Portugal

Youth mobility categories:

• Temporary residence with multiple entries (Working holiday)

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 760 euros
• Return flight or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one
• Proof of health insurance

The Portugal working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time, but there must be a break in between the two participations.

Find more information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General of Portugal in Montreal.

San Marino

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Already possess a working holiday visa for another country within the Schengen zone
• Apply for a letter of introduction by emailing the San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs
• You can work for an employer for a maximum of 6 months
• Have a valid passport

The San Marino working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate twice. Find more information on the website of the Government of Canada.

Slovakia

Youth mobility categories:

• 1: Postsecondary graduates seeking training via a pre-arranged work contract (requires job offer)
• 2: Internship (requires job offer)
• 3: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• 4: Student wishing to work temporarily during school holidays
• 5: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Copy of birth certificate
• Have 1785 euros or the equivalent in CAD
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of health insurance

The Slovakia working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time under a different category.

Find more information on the website of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ottawa.

Slovenia

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Postsecondary graduates seeking training via a pre-arranged work contract (requires job offer)
• B: Inter-university internship (requires job offer)
• C: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Pay the visa fees of 77 euros
• Have sufficient funds for beginning of trip (minimum monthly wage is 940 euros)
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent children

The Slovenia working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category, but there must be a break in between.

Find more information on the website of the Republic of Slovenia.

South Korea

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Resident of Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$3400
• Pay the visa fee of CA$117
• Write a motivation letter
• Complete a medical exam
• Have health insurance
• Not travelling with depedent minors

The South Korea working holiday lasts 12 months. You cannot work more than 1300 hours in the year (around 27 hours per week). Find more information on the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada.

Spain

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Postsecondary graduate seeking training via a prearranged work contract (requires job offer)
• B: University interinstitutional training (requires job offer)
• C: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• D: Students looking to work during academic vacations
• E: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have at least CA$2600
• Pay the visa fee of CA$150
• Letter of motivation
• Proof of housing for at least one week
• Clean background check and medical certificate (if staying for more than 6 months)
• Proof of health insurance
• Have a valid passport

The Spain working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time in a different category. There must be a gap of at least 3 months between the two participations.

Find more information on the website of Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sweden

Youth mobility categories:

• A: Postsecondary graduates seeking training via a pre-arranged work contract (requires job offer)
• B: Inter-university work placement (requires job offer)
• C: Young professionals (requires job offer)
• D: Student wishing to work temporarily during school holidays
• E: Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 15,000 SEK or the equivalent in CAD
• Return flight or sufficient funds for one
• Pay the visa fee of 1500 SEK
• Proof of health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

The Sweden working holiday lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time under a different category.

Find more information on the website of the Swedish Migration Agency.

Switzerland

Youth mobility categories:

• Work permit for the Youth Mobility Program

Conditions:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Have a permanent address in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Pay the visa fee
• Have a job offer in domain of study

This is not a working holiday visa. The work permit lasts 12 months. You can participate a second time, but the total duration cannot exceed 18 months.

Find more information on the website of the Swiss Confederation.

Taiwan

Youth mobility categories:

• Pre-arranged internship or work placement in Taiwan (requires job offer)
• Registered post-secondary student with pre-arranged internship or work placement in Taiwan (requires job offer)
• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive)
• Reside in Canada
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least CA$2500
• Pay the visa fee of CA$100
• Letter of motivation and CV
• Proof of health insurance

The Taiwan working holiday lasts 12 months. Find more information on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

United Kingdom

Youth mobility categories:

• Working holiday

Conditions for the working holiday category:

• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be 18-35 years old (inclusive, applications as of 31 January 2024)
• Be 18-30 years old (inclusive, applications prior to 31 January 2024)
• Have a valid passport
• Have at least 2530 GBP or the equivalent in CAD
• Pay the visa fee of 298 GBP
• Apply no earlier than 6 months before intended departure date
• Pay the healthcare surcharge of 470 GBP per year
• Proof of health insurance
• Not travelling with dependent minors

Starting 31 January 2024, the maximum duration of the UK working holiday is 36 months. Prior to this date, the maximum is 24 months.

Find more information on the website of the government of the UK.

Ready to apply?

• 25 countries have a generous age limit of 35 years old for Canadians
• You may stay longer than 12 months in 10 countries (up to 36 months in Australia and the UK!) without changing visa categories
• You may also stay for more than 12 months in 12 countries by applying for another youth mobility category
• Regardless of your travel destination, health insurance is mandatory (except in Japan, where it is still strongly recommended). Check out Globe WHV.