Applying for Canada Working Holiday permit from the United Kingdom: The International Experience Canada – Working Holiday category is an open work permit that lets you live, work, and travel in Canada for up to 24 months (first participation). You do not need a job offer in advance. You can simply apply and Get a Canadian Working Holiday Visa from the United Kingdom (UK) if you qualify.
Therefore, if you’re from the UK and would like to travel abroad while working then the Canada working holiday visa is just right for you. What’s better than being able to take a break from your work to explore Canada’s beautiful sights, indulge in diverse foods and meet people from around the world who live here.
If this sounds like you, here are simple steps on how to get a Canadian Working Holiday Visa from the UK.
What is the Canadian Working Holiday Visa?
The Working Holiday Visa is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. The IEC is a program that allows people the opportunity to work and travel in Canada. The IEC is open to citizens from 35 different countries. There are three different categories available under the IEC, namely:
- Working Holiday category
- Young Professionals category
- International Co-op (Internship for students only) category
These work permits are valid for up to 24 months.
What can you do with a Canada Working Holiday visa?
- Your Working Holiday permit will be valid for either 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship
- The Canada Working Holiday visa allows you to legally live and work in Canada
- The Working Holiday visa is valid in any Canadian province or territory
Who can apply?
There are over 30 International Experience Canada participating countries. Citizens of any of the listed countries may apply for the Canada Working Holiday visa including the United Kingdom:
| IEC Participating Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Austria | Belgium |
| Chile | Costa Rica | Croatia |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia |
| France | Germany | Greece |
| Hong Kong | Ireland | Italy |
| Japan | Korea, Rep | Latvia |
| Japan | Korea, Rep | Latvia |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Mexico |
| Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway |
| Poland | Portugal | San Marino |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Taiwan |
| Ukraine | United Kingdom |
What you must know about the Requirements before you Apply
To be eligible to apply for your Canada Working Holiday visa, you need to make sure that you meet the criteria.
Requirements to apply for the Working Holiday visa include the following:
- Provide proof of a valid job offer when you arrive in Canada
Normally, this category is the right option for you if:
- you don’t have a job offer
This category is also for you if:
- you want to work for more than one employer in Canada
- you want to work in more than one location
- you’d like to earn some money so that you can travel
The type of work permit you get through a Working Holiday visa is an open work permit. On the other hand, an open work permit lets you work at most jobs in Canada. However, there are some jobs where you’ll have to get a medical exam first.
How To Apply for a Canada Working Holiday permit from the UK
The 2026 season pools are currently open. UK citizens have a large quota (around 9,330 Working Holiday places).
1. Eligibility (UK citizens)
You must:
- Be a British citizen (United Kingdom or Channel Islands of Jersey/Guernsey) with a valid UK passport that will remain valid for your entire stay.
- Be 18–35 years old (inclusive) at the time of application.
- Have at least CAD $2,500 in funds to support yourself on arrival.
- Have (or be able to buy) comprehensive health insurance covering medical care, hospitalisation, and repatriation for the full length of your stay.
- Not be inadmissible to Canada (e.g., no serious criminal record or medical issues that would bar entry).
- Not be accompanied by dependants under this programme.
- Have a return ticket or enough extra money to buy one at the end of your stay.
Participation limits for UK citizens: You can take part twice (total of up to 36 months). First participation is up to 24 months in any category; second is up to 12 months (with limited exceptions for pre-2015 participants).
2. Application Process – Step by Step
Step 1: Create an IRCC secure account and check eligibility
Go to the official IRCC website and create a GCKey or Sign-In Partner account. Complete the short “Come to Canada” / IEC questionnaire. Your answers determine which pools you can enter.
Step 2: Create and submit your IEC profile
- Complete the online IEC profile (personal details, passport info, etc.).
- Submit it to the Working Holiday pool for the United Kingdom.
- Profile submission is free.
- You have 60 days to finish and submit once you start.
- Submit as early as possible in the season for the best chance of an invitation.
Step 3: Wait in the pool for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC runs regular rounds of invitations (check the official rounds page for dates and remaining spots). Profiles are selected until the country quota is filled. Your profile stays in the pool until you get an ITA, the season ends, or you become ineligible.
Step 4: Accept the ITA (10-day deadline)
If invited, you have 10 days (UTC time) to accept or decline in your IRCC account. Accepting starts a strict 20-day clock to submit the full work-permit application.
Step 5: Prepare and submit the full work-permit application (within 20 days)
Upload documents via your IRCC account and pay the fees. Typical required documents include:
- Passport bio-page and any relevant stamps
- Proof of funds (bank statements showing at least CAD $2,500)
- Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
- Police certificate(s) (for any country where you lived 6+ consecutive months since age 18; UK applicants usually need an ACRO Police Certificate)
- CV/résumé
- Family Information form (IMM 5707)
- Proof of medical exam (only if required – e.g., certain job types or recent long stays in specific countries)
- Any other documents listed in your personalised checklist
For the Working Holiday category, enter “A9999999” and “Non-applicable – Working Holiday” in the employment fields (no job offer needed).
Step 6: Pay the fees
Approximate 2026 fees (CAD):
- IEC participation fee: $184.75
- Open work permit holder fee: $100
- Biometrics fee (if required): $85
Total typically CAD $369.75 (plus any police certificate or medical costs).
Step 7: Provide biometrics
If required, book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (in the UK this is usually in London) to give fingerprints and a photo.
Step 8: Wait for a decision
Standard processing time is about 56 days once a complete application (including biometrics) is received. If approved, you receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction (not the actual work permit).
Step 9: Travel to Canada and activate the permit
Present the Letter of Introduction, passport, proof of funds, and proof of health insurance to the border officer. The officer issues the actual open work permit. You can then start working for almost any employer anywhere in Canada.
Important Tips
- Start early — quotas fill and invitation rounds become more competitive later in the season.
- Get police certificates and insurance ready in advance; some documents take time.
- Health insurance must cover the full duration and include repatriation.
- Always use the official Canada.ca / IRCC website. Beware of unofficial sites that charge extra fees.
- Official pages:
– Main IEC page: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec.html
– Create profile / become a candidate
– Eligibility by country
– Rounds of invitations
This is a competitive but straightforward process for eligible UK applicants. Check the official IRCC site regularly for the latest invitation rounds and any updates.
What is an open work permit?
An open work permit allows foreign workers to work for any Canadian employer they want to over a specified period of time.
As a foreign worker, you may apply for an open work permit from outside of Canada, within Canada or at a Canadian port of entry.
Why Apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa?
Why go to Canada from the UK? Well, there are several benefits to travelling to Canada on a working holiday visa. Let’s explore some of them.
Work experience
Canada is amongst the top developed in the world and has been named the most educated country. By working in Canada temporarily, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a highly regarded country.
Not only will you be able to learn through the experience but it’s also something that will count in your favour on your resume when applying for future jobs.
Work culture
Working in a different country will not only allow you to gain work experience, but you’ll likely find that there is a different working culture or way of doing things outside of your home country.
You will have the opportunity to see a work environment out of your comfort zone and you may pick up tips that you can use in future.
Sightseeing
Canada has various natural beauties such as lakes, beaches and mountains that are simply breathtaking to see as well as the famous Niagara Falls. Canada also has several unique indoor places to visit. Here is a list of some of the best indoor places to visit on your trip to Canada:
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a public aquarium located in downtown Toronto, Ontario. This aquarium is one of three breathtaking aquariums owned by Ripley’s Entertainment. If you love sea life, then this will be a great adventure for you.
Royal BC Museum
The Royal British Columbia Museum was founded in 1886 and is located in Victoria, British Columbia. The museum showcases the province of British Columbia’s natural and human history as well as the British Columbia Provincial Archives.
This offers the perfect opportunity to learn about some of Canada’s history if you’re visiting the province of British Columbia.
West Edmonton Mall
The West Edmonton Mall is the largest shopping mall in North America and the second most visited mall in Canada.
Not only are there plenty of shops you can visit, but there are also many fun activities that take place in the mall such as the world waterpark, a bowling alley and an ice skating arena. Events such as music events and sea life showcases also take place in the mall.
Peller Estates Winery
If you like fine dining, then you’re likely to enjoy the Peller Estates Winery. This stylish modern restaurant serves food straight from the farm and pairs dishes with wines grown onsite.
Dundurn Castle
If you’re interested in history, then take a step back in time and visit Dundurn Castle. The castle is a historic mansion located on York Boulevard in Hamilton, Ontario 40 room mansion took three years to build and was completed in the year 1835.
Culture
Canada is a diverse nation, with people from all over the world moving here and creating a new home. If you’re visiting Canada, you can look forward to meeting people from across the world, witnessing and experiencing many different cultures.
Cuisine
Because people from different parts of the world have settled in Canada, there are not only delicious local foods to be found in Canada but foods from all over the world. So if you’re travelling to Canada on a working holiday permit, you can look forward to taking your taste buds on an adventure too!
FAQs
1. How much money do I need to enter Canada on a working holiday visa?
You must present a statement of your bank account issued no more than one week before your leave for Canada. It must clearly state that you have enough money to support yourself for the first three months of your stay in Canada (the amount must equal to 2,500 Canadian dollars).
2. How do I extend my Canadian working holiday permit?
You can apply to extend your stay as a visitor. You must make sure you apply for a visitor record at least 30 days before your work permit expires and be aware that while visitor status is usually granted, there is no guarantee that yours will be approved.
3. How do the IEC seasons work?
The Canadian government regularly invites eligible candidates from the IEC pools to apply for a work permit. These “seasons” are also known as “rounds of invitation”.The number of candidates invited to apply during each round varies. Rounds will take place until there are either no more spots available or the IEC season closes.How Can We Help You?So there you have it; all you need to know about how to get a Canadian working holiday visa from the UK. If you’ve decided that this is the option for you, let us help guide you through the visa application process, so you can have a stress free journey and improve your chances of success.
Important Update
UK citizens visiting Canada by air for up to six months do not need a visitor visa; instead, they must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online for $7 CAD. Those with other nationalities living in the UK or those planning to work, study, or stay longer must apply for the appropriate permit or visa via the IRCC Portal.
Entry Requirements for UK Citizens
- Short Visits (under 6 months): Require an eTA if arriving by air. Land and sea arrivals do not need an eTA but need valid travel documents.
- Dual Nationals: British-Canadian dual nationals cannot apply for an eTA and must travel with a valid Canadian passport.
Visas and Permits (Work, Study, or Long-Term)
- Application Hub: Submit applications online through official channels on Canada.ca or the IRCC Portal.
- Biometrics: If required to provide biometrics, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter to complete your enrollment at a local center like VFS Global – London.
- Costs: Standard visitor visas start at $100 CAD, while study and work permits generally cost around $150 CAD.
Contents for Migrants
- Canada Express Entry System
- Canada Agricultural Worker Immigration
- Travel to Canada for Agriculture Job Listing
- Canada Work Visa Requirements for Migrants
- Canada Introduces 10 New Laws and Policy Changes
- Understanding Canada Express Entry as a new Applicant
- Canada Study Permit Rules & Verification for Proof of Funds
Conclusion
The Canada Working Holiday Visa 2027 for UK citizens under the International Experience Canada (IEC) programme offers an excellent opportunity to live, work and travel in Canada temporarily. Eligible UK citizens should review the current IEC requirements, prepare their documents early and follow the official application process carefully. Because quotas, dates and eligibility conditions can change, applicants should always verify the latest information before submitting their application.