The Working Holiday Program allows young foreign nationals (from specific countries) to visit Canada for a temporary period. During their stay, foreign nationals may experience Canada as tourists or if they wish, they may enter the Canadian work force.
- Provides foreign youth the opportunity to experience Canadian culture and, if they desire, the Canadian world of work.
- Provides Canadian employers the opportunity to fill vacancies for temporary work.
- Open to most Canadian employers. (Some restrictions may apply).
- Open to foreign nationals whose governments have signed formal Working Holiday agreements with the government of Canada.
- Terms and conditions of each Working Holiday agreement vary slightly.
- Employers choose their own foreign employees.
- Program generally allows the foreign national to work and/or sight-see in Canada for a maximum of one year.
- Most Working Holiday agreements have age restrictions for foreign nationals.
- Most Working Holiday agreements permit only a certain number of foreign nationals to participate each year.
Role of the Employer
Step One:
- Although most Working Holiday agreements require very little from the Canadian employer, depending on the citizenship of the foreign national, the Canadian employer’s responsibilities may vary. Some variations can include a requirement for the employer to send the foreign national a letter of offer or prepare other documents before the foreign national arrives in Canada. The Canadian employer may or may not be required to pay processing fees before the foreign national arrives. The cost of fees may vary. For most Working Holiday agreements, the employer can simply proceed to step two.
Step Two: Permits and S.I.N.
- Review foreign national’s work permit to ensure work to be done doesn’t conflict with conditions on permit. Ensure expiry date on permit has not passed.
- Ensure foreign national obtains Social Insurance Numbers (SIN’s). If he/she already holds a SIN, ensure that it has been updated.
Step Three: Employ
- Employ foreign national no later than expiry date of the work permit.
- Respect terms and conditions of work permit.
- Adhere to: conditions under which foreign national was hired; terms on work permit and; all provincial labour laws
Role of the Employee
Step One:
- Depending on his/her citizenship, the foreign national’s responsibilities may vary. For example, the foreign national may or may not be required to obtain a written offer of employment from a Canadian employer before arriving in Canada. Application processes may vary and the foreign national may or may not be required to obtain a temporary resident visa before entering Canada. Deadlines for program application will vary as will the annual number of individuals who will be accepted into the program. For all Working Holiday agreements, the foreign national should contact the nearest Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission for details.
Step Two: Apply for permit
- Once foreign national has been accepted into Working Holiday Program, he/she must apply for a work permit at nearest Canadian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. Appropriate fees must be submitted.
Step Three: Arrange work date, travel
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada assesses application for a work permit and if approved, a letter is sent to advise the foreign national.
- If foreign national already has a job offer from a Canadian employer, he/she must contact the employer to arrange a date to start work.
- Make travel arrangements and on arrival in Canada, present Canadian Immigration Officer with Immigration’s approval letter. Normally, work permit will then be issued.
Step Four: S.I.N., begin work
- Obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). If foreign national already holds a SIN, have it updated.
- Work for employer no later than expiry date on work permit.
- Adhere to terms and conditions on work permit.
Step Five: Changing Terms
- A new work permit is NOT required if the foreign national wishes to change jobs but he/she must continue to adhere to the terms and conditions listed on the work permit.
- If foreign national wishes to remain employed after the expiry date of his/her work permit, he/she will be subject to the same processes listed under the Foreign Worker Program.
