A Working Holiday Visa lets Canadians live, work, and travel abroad for up to one or two years, depending on the country.
Canada has Youth Mobility Agreements with more than 35 countries, giving Canadians like you, one of the largest Working Holiday networks in the world!
This list has our top five picks for the best working holiday destinations for Canadians. In no particular order. We recommend them all!
Every Working Holiday destination has something unique to offer, so choosing just five wasn’t easy. We based our picks on a combination of:
| Destination | Working Holiday Visa Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Up to 3 years | High wages |
| New Zealand | Up to 23 months | Adventure |
| Japan | Up to 2 years | Ski resorts |
| UK | Up to 3 years | Career development |
| France | Up to 2 years | Language immersion |
As an approved Recognized Organization, we help eligible young Canadians access Working Holiday and other IEC opportunities by providing guidance and support throughout their journey.
Just in case you need a refresher, here’s everything you need to know about working holidays.
Get in touch to learn more about our Working Holiday Programs and how we can help you plan your trip of a lifetime!
Japan offers one of the most unique Working Holiday experiences for Canadians. From ancient temples and peaceful shrines to futuristic cities and world-famous cuisine, it’s a destination where every day feels different. Whether you’re hoping to learn some Japanese, experience local traditions, or spend your evenings singing karaoke, Japan is full of unforgettable experiences.
Many Canadians find seasonal work at ski resorts in destinations like Niseko, Hakuba, and Furano, while others head to cities such as Tokyo or Osaka for hospitality, tourism, or English-speaking customer service roles. No matter where you choose to live, Japan offers a rewarding mix of work, travel, and cultural immersion.
Escape the city with a weekend trip to Hakone, just a couple of hours from Tokyo by train. Famous for its natural hot springs, traditional ryokans, and spectacular views of Mount Fuji, Hakone is one of Japan’s most popular getaways.
For an authentic Japanese experience, don’t miss the chance to relax in an onsen after a day of exploring.
Australia consistently ranks among the best Working Holiday destinations for Canadians, and for good reason! It offers some of the highest minimum wages, a huge variety of jobs, and a familiar English-speaking environment that makes settling in much easier. While the climate, wildlife, and landscapes are very different from Canada, the laid-back lifestyle feels surprisingly familiar.
Whether you’re looking for work in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, or retail, Australia offers plenty of opportunities while giving you the chance to explore one of the world’s most diverse countries.
From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and learning to surf in Sydney to exploring markets in Byron Bay, wine tasting in Melbourne, or embarking on an unforgettable road trip along the coast, Australia offers endless adventures between work shifts.
Curious about what life is really like Down Under? Read Ian’s and Genevieve’s Working Holiday experiences, or learn more about how Stepabroad can help you plan your Working Holiday in Australia.
If you’re looking for breathtaking scenery and an outdoor lifestyle, New Zealand is hard to beat. As an English-speaking country with a relaxed pace of life, it’s an easy destination for Canadians to settle into.
The country’s rich Māori culture, welcoming locals, and incredible natural landscapes—from volcanoes and glaciers to beaches and waterfalls—make every weekend an adventure.
Working Holiday jobs are commonly available in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and seasonal industries, making it a popular choice for travellers who want to work while exploring both the North and South Islands.
One of the best ways to experience New Zealand is by road-tripping its spectacular coastline. Drive from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula to visit Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own natural hot spring in the sand at low tide. It’s just one of countless unforgettable weekend adventures waiting for you.
For Canadians heading overseas for the first time, the United Kingdom is one of the easiest Working Holiday destinations to adapt to. With no language barrier, familiar customs, and excellent transport links, it’s a comfortable introduction to living abroad. You can choose to live and work in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland while enjoying easy access to the rest of Europe.
The UK also offers a wide range of Working Holiday jobs in hospitality, retail, tourism, and customer service, making it easier to find work while experiencing everything the country has to offer.
And yes—you may want to brush up on your tea-making skills before you arrive!
Whether you’re exploring London, working on a summer camp, hiking in the Scottish Highlands, or wandering through historic villages, there’s no shortage of places to discover. For something unforgettable, visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland. Suspended 30 metres above the rocks below, it offers breathtaking coastal views for those brave enough to cross.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing the UK is its proximity to Europe. And just across the Irish Sea, another fantastic Working Holiday destination awaits. If Ireland is on your list too, check out our guide to living and working in Ireland.
France is an excellent choice for Canadians looking to combine work, travel, and cultural immersion. From strolling along the Seine and visiting the Eiffel Tower to exploring charming villages and world-famous vineyards, there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences. It’s also a fantastic destination for improving your French while enjoying some of the world’s best food, art, and history.
One of the advantages of a France Working Holiday Visa is its flexibility. Participants can work in a variety of industries, including hospitality, tourism, retail, and seasonal jobs, helping to fund their travels across the country. While speaking French isn’t always essential, it can significantly improve your job opportunities and help you integrate into local life.
Spend your weekends discovering everything France has to offer. Wander through Paris, sample wines in Bordeaux, relax on the French Riviera, or admire the lavender fields of Provence. Wherever you go, you’ll find incredible food, rich history, and easy access to neighbouring European countries for even more adventures.
Learn more about the France Working Holiday Visa and how Stepabroad can help you get started.
Choosing your Working Holiday destination is just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. From high-paying jobs in Australia to cultural immersion in Japan and easy access to Europe from Germany or Spain, there’s a destination to suit every travel style and career goal.
The hardest part may be deciding where to go first. And who knows? Many Canadians complete more than one Working Holiday, so your first adventure could be the start of many more.
Unfortunately no, you can not apply for a Working Holiday through International Experience Canada as a permanent resident of Canada. Unless your country of citizenship has its own International Working Holiday visa agreements, you will need to hold a Canadian passport to be eligible to participate in the IEC program.
Although most Working Holiday visas are not overly difficult to obtain, preparing the necessary paperwork does require patience and attention to detail. It is vital that you complete your visa application successfully to ensure that you have the highest possible chance of your request being granted. That’s where Stepabroad comes in! By purchasing one of our programs, you will have support at every step of the way, and we will keep you updated on any new changes to rules and requirements. This means that you won’t be taken by surprise if any updated policies come into effect, or if processes at the visa processing office change suddenly.
Not necessarily, but having some basics (or being willing to learn) after you arrive at your destination will be beneficial to you. Your language abilities will be a big factor that will determine which jobs you are able to secure, so by expanding your skills you will increase the range of roles available to you. Learning the language can also help you immerse yourself with the locals, instead of sticking with other backpackers who share your mother tongue.
It can be scary but with courage and trust in yourself – you can do it! While traveling alone isn’t for everyone, if you are adventurous and adaptable, then you will be fine! At the end of the day, even if you are traveling solo, you are never really alone. You will meet so many people along your way, and they will no doubt become close friends that you will share your journey with. Fear is completely normal in this situation, but it’s important to understand that once you arrive at your destination and become more comfortable in your new surroundings, your anxiety will begin to disappear.
Looking for seasonal jobs abroad? Explore the best countries for Canadians, including Australia, Japan, France, New Zealand, and the UK, plus visa and job search tips.
While choosing a working holiday destination is not an easy task, we list our top five working holiday destinations for Canadians.
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