The Government of Canada makes available to eligible foreign nationals the Working Holiday Visa limited entry and stay permit that offers the possibility to work and study in the country.
This permit is ideal for individuals who wish to have the freedom to work for any employer while traveling in Canada. Applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 who access the Working Holiday program receive an open work permit for a set period of time. These open work permits are not tied to specific employers, so individuals are free to change employers and locations while living in Canada. The Working Holiday program is a good option for foreign nationals from participating countries who:
Do not have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Want the freedom to work for more than one employer
Want the freedom to live in more than one place
Want to earn money while traveling
Because the Working Holiday program has relatively relaxed requirements, this program is incredibly popular. Canada approves predetermined quotas of applicants for this program per country so a number of eligibility requirements must be met. Applicants interested in this program should check their country's quotas to know exactly how likely they are to qualify for the program.
Traveling to Canada with a Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa is an ideal option for young people who intend to spend up to one year in Canada. In addition, this visa gives the opportunity to extend the stay in the country through another Canadian mobility program.
Some advantages of the Working Holiday Visa are:
Study and work during your stay in Canada. Please note that courses cannot exceed 6 months (language courses are allowed).
Work in Canada full time. While other Canadian visas limit the maximum working hours or have certain restrictions, the Working and Holiday visa allows you to perform full-time job functions.
Residing for a full year in Canada. The Working Holiday Visa allows a maximum stay of 12 months, during which the foreign citizen may leave and enter the country as many times as he/she wishes.
Countries eligible to apply
The availability of this visa is limited and not all foreign nationals are eligible to apply. Unfortunately, at this time, citizens of Mexico are not eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. The only Spanish speaking countries included are Spain, Chile and Costa Rica.
The first step to obtain a Canadian Working Holiday Visa as a citizen of one of the eligible countries is to apply for it. Once you have submitted your application, you will have to wait for an invitation from Canada if you have been chosen in the visa lottery.
In case you are not a national of one of the eligible countries, you will have to consider the different permit options for Canada, such as the eTA travel authorization.
Requirements
The necessary requirements to be able to obtain a Working Holiday Visa are the following:
Be between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of visa processing.
Not having children or dependents during your stay in the country.
Have a valid passport covering at least 12 months of permitted stay.
Have sufficient funds to cover the stay in Canada (show a bank document with a minimum of 2,500 Canadian dollars).
Private medical insurance that covers the entire time you will stay in Canada.
Have a resume in English or French and in Canadian format (without photo, nationality, age, etc.).
Digital photograph of the applicant in 4.5cm x 3.5cm size to process the visa.
Answer the form with questions related to your family history and possible criminal record.
Go to the Canadian Immigration Offices to have your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric data) taken.
Pay the corresponding fee for the Working and Holiday Visa of Canada.
Extending your stay in Canada when your Working Holiday Visa expires
Once your 12-month maximum stay in Canada on the Working Holiday Visa has expired, you can apply for another Canadian cultural exchange program to extend your stay.
In order to apply, you must demonstrate that you have a job offer in Canada that will help you in your professional development.
One of the conditions to obtain it is to work only for the same employer during the extra time you are going to stay in this country.
The program is called Young Professional Visa and you can apply for it a few months before your Working Holiday Visa expires.
Comentarios