Have you ever wondered what countries you can work in without a visa? If you’re dreaming of living and working abroad but don’t want the hassle of finding sponsorship for a traditional work visa, a working holiday might be the perfect solution for you!
Many countries with work holiday visas allow Canadians to gain international work experience without going through complex immigration processes.
Thanks to International Experience Canada (IEC)—a program developed by the Government of Canada—Canadians between 18 and 30 or 35 years old, can work and live abroad for up to 36 months in more than 35 countries worldwide.
These agreements make it easier than ever for Canadian citizens to gain international work experience, travel, and explore new cultures.
In fact, some countries with work holiday visas even allow you to extend your stay or switch jobs freely. This flexibility makes it a great alternative to traditional work visas for Canadians looking to explore multiple destinations while earning an income.
To be eligible, you’ll need: a valid Canadian passport, be between 18-30 or 35 years old, depending on your chosen country, have enough funds to cover your initial stay and flight and have a valid medical insurance for your time abroad.
Stepabroad, a proud partner of the Government of Canada, provides expert guidance to help Canadians navigate the process of their working holiday visa for Canadians.
The working holiday visa for Canadians is great because it allows you to avoid spending years saving for long-term travel. Instead, you can fund your adventures as you go, making travel more accessible and sustainable.
On top of that, a working holiday lets you get a job abroad without the hassle of securing work before you leave. In fact, you can even get multiple jobs, which gives you the freedom to live and work in different parts of the country, rather than locking you down in one location.
For example, you could work for a while in one part of the country, then do a bit of traveling, and after that, and after that, settle down and experience another part of the country. It’s easy to find work and earn money while living abroad on a working holiday, this means you can also travel abroad for longer!
Below are some of the most popular destinations with Working Holiday Visas for Canadians. These countries with work holiday visas make it easy for young professionals to gain experience while traveling.
You can find the full list on the International Experience Canada (IEC) website.
Eligibility:
18-30 years old
Canadian citizen currently living in Canada
Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining)
Proof of $3,500 CAD in savings
Round-trip flight ticket (or funds to buy one)
No dependents & clean criminal record
Have never held a Japanese Working Holiday Visa before (or only once without an extension)
Why Go?
Japan offers an authentic combination of ancient traditions and futuristic innovation, making it an exciting destination for a working holiday. If you’re passionate about anime, centuries-old temples, or you’d like to try the real sushi and ramen, Japan has all that for you!
Working here also provides an excellent opportunity to learn or improve your Japanese language skills, which will make a great difference for your future career opportunities.
Plus, Japan is home to world-famous ski resorts in Hokkaido, stunning cherry blossoms in the spring, and one of the best public transport systems in the world— which is perfect for exploring every corner of the country.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old (inclusive until just before your 36th birthday)
Canadian citizen currently living in Canada
Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining)
Proof of $3,400 CAD in savings
Round-trip flight ticket (or funds to buy one)
No dependents & clean criminal record
Health insurance required
Why Go?
South Korea is a fast-paced, modern country that still holds onto its deep cultural roots. The country’s booming entertainment industry, from K-pop to K-dramas, has gained worldwide popularity, and living here gives you a front-row seat to this cultural phenomenon.
Food lovers will enjoy the delicious Korean BBQ, spicy tteokbokki, and bibimbap, all available at affordable prices too.
South Korea also offers a vibrant nightlife, bustling shopping districts, and excellent public transportation, so it’s easier to explore both urban Seoul and the beautiful countryside.
As a bonus, its location makes it easy to take weekend trips to other parts of Asia, like Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old
Canadian citizen currently living in Canada
Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining)
Proof of $3,700 CAD in savings
Round-trip flight ticket (or funds to buy one)
No criminal record and in good health
Why Go?
Spain is the perfect destination for those who want to experience a laid-back lifestyle while working and traveling.
With its warm weather, stunning beaches, and world-famous tapas, Spain offers a high quality of life. If in your plans is learning more about their history at medieval castles, or you prefer to enjoy a lively night out in Barcelona or Madrid, or maybe you would like to relax on the beautiful Mediterranean coast, Spain has all this and even more!
Working here will definitely help you improve your Spanish skills. Plus, Spain is well-connected to the rest of Europe, making it easy to explore other countries on weekends or holidays as well.
A working holiday visa for Canadians provides the unique opportunity to explore Spain while working and funding your travels.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old
Valid passport & good health
No dependents & clean criminal record
Proof of $5,000 AUD in savings
First-time Working Holiday Visa applicant for Australia
Why Go?
Australia is the top choice for working holidaymakers because of its high wages, excellent work opportunities, and stunning natural landscapes.
Australia has plenty of job openings that allow you to fund your travels. The country boasts incredible beaches, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and with a strong backpacker-friendly culture, you’ll have no trouble meeting like-minded travelers and making new friends.
Australia is an exciting and rewarding destination to live and work.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old (apply before your 36th birthday)
Can apply from any country where you have work rights
Proof of £2,530 in savings (for 28 days)
No dependents & in good health
First-time UK Working Holiday Visa applicant
Why Go?
The UK offers an incredible mix of history, culture, and career opportunities, making it a fantastic place for a working holiday.
With its rich historical sites, from ancient castles to Buckingham Palace, the UK is perfect for history lovers.
London is a global business hub with excellent job prospects, while cities like Edinburgh, Manchester, and Bristol offer a more affordable cost of living.
Without a doubt, music lovers will appreciate the UK’s world-famous music festivals, while football fans can experience the excitement of the Premier League. And with its central location you can easily explore Europe on weekends, whether by train, ferry, or budget flights.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old
Good health & valid passport
Proof of €2,500 in savings
No dependents & in good health
First-time France Working Holiday Visa applicant
Why Go?
France equals art, culture, and fine cuisine.
You could be sipping wine in Bordeaux, exploring the streets of Paris, or working in the beautiful French countryside. There are endless ways to experience the French way of life.
France is known for its strong work-life balance, allowing you to enjoy long lunches, relaxed weekends, and plenty of vacation time.
Eligibility:
18-35 years old
Proof of $4,200 NZD in savings
Good health & travel insurance
Clean criminal record
First-time New Zealand Working Holiday Visa applicant
Why Go?
New Zealand is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This country is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go bungee jumping in Queenstown, hike through the famous Milford Sound, or explore the magical filming locations of The Lord of the Rings.
New Zealand also has a high demand for seasonal workers in hospitality, agriculture, and tourism, making it easy to find a job. The locals, known as Kiwis, are incredibly friendly and welcoming, making it easy to settle into the laid-back lifestyle. Plus, the straightforward visa process makes New Zealand one of the most accessible working holiday destinations.
Each of these countries with work holiday visas provides unique experiences, from cultural immersion to adventure and career growth opportunities.
If you’re planning a working holiday, it’s important to budget for both upfront and ongoing expenses. Here is what you should consider:
(Prices in AUD, weekly rates as per Australian pay cycles)
Tip: Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, so moving to Melbourne, Adelaide, or Perth can help you reduce costs. Melbourne even has a free tram zone in the central area, saving on transport expenses.
(Prices in GBP, per month unless stated otherwise)
Tip: Living further from central London lowers rent but increases transport costs. Nearby cities like Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Reading, and Essex may have lower rent, but commuting can offset savings. But if you are under 25 and plan to travel within the UK, get a railcard to save one-third on train fares.
(Prices in NZD, per week unless stated otherwise)
(Prices in EUR, per month unless stated otherwise)
Tips: Paris is expensive, but other cities like Nice and Lyon offer a lower cost of living. And did you know that a good glass of wine costs around €5!
If you are planning to work abroad, you may want to consider work travel visa opportunities in high-tourism areas.
Many countries with work holiday visas have seasonal industries where employers prefer hiring temporary workers.
Some programs even provide accommodation, making it more affordable to live abroad.
Remember: This is a Working Holiday, not just work! Make sure to enjoy your time abroad, take holidays, and be open to explore new cultures.
Ready to explore new horizons with a working holiday? Fill out our quick form now, and we’ll get back to you ASAP with all the exciting details about your dream destination. Your next adventure is just a click away!
The types of jobs you can get abroad will depend on your skills and the amount of previous work experience you have. It is a lot like getting a new job in Canada! We’ve had Stepabroad participants work abroad in everything from marketing and communications to engineering; tourism and hospitality to education and agriculture – to name but a few. However, there are additional factors to consider.
Each country has its own set of requirements for work visas for Canadians. While some nations have strict job restrictions, others offer flexible work travel visa opportunities.
For example, the UK has very few job restrictions outside of medical, dentistry and sports; Australia has limits on the length of employment with one company, and so on.
To learn about the work restrictions and which countries with work holiday visas allow employment in your field of interest, book a call to chat with our work and travel advisors.
Stepabroad’s Working Holiday Programs offer comprehensive support to help you secure your work travel visa, find a job, arrange accommodation, and more, so that you can focus on enjoying your experience. Furthermore, we make sure your transition into one of the many countries with work holiday visas is as smooth as possible!
Whether you just need a little guidance or want full support every step of the way, we’ve got a program that fits your needs. Choose the level of assistance that works best for you and let us make your working holiday an unforgettable experience.
A working holiday isn’t just a way to travel—it’s also an opportunity to gain international experience, meet new people, and fully immerse yourself in a different culture, all while earning money along the way.
Whether you’re seeking adventure in New Zealand, cultural immersion in Japan, or career opportunities in the UK, there is a destination that’s perfect for you. Plus, with so many amazing countries open to Canadians, the hardest part is deciding where to go first!
Ultimately, a working holiday visa gives you the chance to explore the world while building valuable skills and creating unforgettable memories. So, are you ready to get started?
Country dependent but most jobs are eligible under the Working holiday visa. For English speaking countries there are little to 0 work restrictions as there is a common language and participants can work in hospitality, admin, healthcare, finance, tech, marketing and so much more.
In the UK the only restriction is that you are not allowed to be a professional sports coach (sorry football fans!) whereas in Australia the rule is that you do not work for one employer for more than 6 months as they want you to focus on all the experiences that Australia has to offer, after all it is called a “Working Holiday”.
Impossible to answer as all industries have their own wage scale! However, we find that most participants are able to put some money aside to bring back to Canada. The real struggle is deciding on what experiences you will have time for during your holiday abroad!
If heading to France, Japan, South Korea or Spain, it is always nice to know the local language as a way of respect. You can get by with speaking English but this is not the common language of the country itself, so you can expect that some jobs are specifically reserved for those who can fluently communicate in the local language as most likely all important aspects of the job (such as: relationships with suppliers and important legal documents) are likely all in their own local language.
We provide you with a dedicated travel coordinator who is committed to getting you to your destination of choice feeling as prepared and secure as possible!
All the countries we provide come with job support, living recommendations and everything else you need to know to ensure that you are able to land and get started straight away. Not only that, our support doesn’t stop when you leave Canada, in fact, we are still there to help even when you are in the country itself!
Most Working Holidays are for 1 year with some countries allowing for an extension. The UK and New Zealand are the only countries where you can get a 2 year visa up front. There is no minimum for how long you can stay on the Working Holiday visa however depending on the country, you can be in your country of choice from anywhere between 1 – 3 years.
No! As long as you still meet the eligible conditions, one of them being that you must be between 18-35 at time of application, then it is possible to participate again!
Some countries will allow you to extend your stay or you can choose a completely different destination.
Thanks to the agreement from IEC, Canadian Youth can participate in multiple countries across the world!
We provide resources so that you can get ahead with the room hunting prior to arriving at your destination of choice. We find that our participants are able to secure a room within 1-4 weeks after arrival, depending on their preferences and we can offer trusted partners to secure these rooms ahead of time (country dependent).
Depending on the position, we find that by using our resources, our participants typically secure jobs within 1-4 weeks after arrival. For some countries, it is possible to search for jobs ahead of time; however, we have found that there is greater success when participants are physically present in the country and ready for in-person interviews.
That being said, if you are concerned about securing a job upon arrival, we currently offer guaranteed job placement programs for the UK and Japan!
Learn how Canadians can find jobs in Spain on a working holiday. Get visa info, job tips, and start your adventure living and working abroad!
Imagine yourself walking down Barcelona’s lively promenades, admiring street performers, and enjoying sangria and tapas at local restaurants. It’s all possible with the Spain Working Holiday Visa or Youth Mobility Vi! Here we cover how you can apply.