A Working Holiday visa lets eligible Canadians live, work, and travel abroad without employer sponsorship. It’s one of the easiest ways to gain international experience while funding your travels at the same time.
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.
From Australia and New Zealand to Japan, Ireland, and many destinations across Europe, these agreements give Canadians the opportunity to work abroad, earn an income, gain international work experience, and experience life in a new country.
In this guide, you’ll discover every Working Holiday country available to Canadians, compare key eligibility requirements, and learn which destinations may be the best fit for your travel and career goals.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible Countries | 35+ partner destinations* |
| Typical Age Limit | 18–30 or 18–35 |
| Visa Duration | 12–24 months |
| Can You Work? | Yes |
| Can You Travel? | Yes |
| Proof of Funds Required? | Yes |
| Health Insurance Required? | Yes |
*Requirements may vary by country.
A Working Holiday visa gives Canadians the opportunity to live, work, and travel abroad without needing a traditional employer-sponsored work visa.
Earn money while you travel. Instead of saving for years before taking an extended trip, you can work during your travels, making it easier to explore a new country for several months or even longer.
Enjoy more flexibility. Unlike many work visas that tie you to a single employer, most Working Holiday programs allow you to change jobs, move between cities or regions, and shape your experience around your travel plans.
Experience more of your destination. For example, you could spend the winter working at a ski resort in Japan, travel during the spring, and then take a hospitality job in another city before returning home.
Build skills for the future. Along the way, you’ll gain international work experience, develop new skills, become more independent, and meet people from around the world; experiences that can benefit both your personal and professional growth.
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.
Most Working Holiday visas require applicants to:
Note: Some countries have additional requirements, such as travel or health insurance, return tickets, or first-time applicant restrictions. Always check the official visa requirements before applying.
*You can find the full list on the International Experience Canada (IEC) website.
Canada has Working Holiday agreements with more than 35 countries through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. While eligibility requirements vary by destination, most programs share a few common requirements.
| Country | Age Limit | Visa Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 18–30 | Up to 12 months + potential 12-month extension (if eligible) | Ski resorts, culture, and language learning |
| South Korea | 18–35 | Up to 24 months | K-culture, city life, and affordable living |
| Spain | 18–35 | Up to 12 months | European travel, beaches, and Spanish language |
| Australia | 18–35 | Up to 12 months + potential 2 extensions (if eligible) | High wages and an outdoor lifestyle |
| United Kingdom | 18–35 | Up to 24 months + potential 12-month extension (if eligible) | Career experience and travel in Europe |
| France | 18–35 | Up to 12 months + potential 12-month extension (if eligible) | Food, culture, and work-life balance |
| New Zealand | 18–35 | Up to 23 months | Adventure, seasonal work, and nature |
Age requirement: 18–30 years old
Minimum savings: At least CAD $3,500 (+ CAD $1,000 if no return ticket)
Additional requirements:
Japan is one of the best Working Holiday destinations for Canadians looking for a unique mix of culture, travel, and seasonal work. Popular jobs include ski resorts, hotels, restaurants, and tourism, especially during the winter season.
Outside of work, you can experience everything from Tokyo’s modern city life to centuries-old temples in Kyoto, relax in traditional hot springs, and explore famous cherry blossom festivals. Working in Japan is also an excellent opportunity to improve your Japanese language skills while gaining international work experience.
Best for:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: CAD $3,400 (Return ticket or sufficient additional funds to purchase one)
Additional requirements:
South Korea combines modern cities with rich cultural traditions, making it an exciting destination for Canadians interested in working abroad. Hospitality, tourism, and customer service are popular industries for Working Holiday participants.
When you’re not working, you can explore Seoul’s shopping districts, enjoy Korean cuisine, experience the country’s famous nightlife, and easily travel to nearby destinations across Asia.
A strong fit for:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: CAD $3,800
Additional requirements:
Spain is ideal for Canadians looking for a relaxed lifestyle while working and traveling through Europe. Many participants find seasonal and hospitality jobs while enjoying sunny weather, Mediterranean beaches, and historic cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville.
Living in Spain also provides an excellent opportunity to improve your Spanish while taking advantage of affordable travel throughout Europe.
Ideal if you want:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: AUD $5,000
Additional requirements:
Australia is one of the most popular Working Holiday destinations for Canadians thanks to its high wages, strong job market, and outdoor lifestyle. There are plenty of opportunities in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and construction, making it easier to earn money while exploring the country.
When you’re not working, you can discover iconic destinations like the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour, and Australia’s world-famous beaches. Many participants also enjoy the country’s backpacker-friendly culture, making it easy to meet other travelers along the way.
Best for:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: £2,530 (held for at least 28 consecutive days)
Additional requirements:
The UK is an excellent option for Canadians looking to combine international work experience with easy access to Europe. Popular jobs can be found in hospitality, retail, customer service, and office-based roles, particularly in cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol.
Outside of work, you can explore historic landmarks, attend world-famous music festivals, experience Premier League football, or take advantage of affordable flights and train connections to other European destinations.
Best for:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: €2,500
Additional requirements:
France is a great destination for Canadians who want to experience European culture while working abroad. Many Working Holiday participants find opportunities in hospitality, tourism, seasonal work, and customer service, especially in popular tourist regions.
Whether you’re exploring Paris, relaxing on the French Riviera, or discovering vineyards and historic villages, France offers a unique mix of culture, cuisine, and travel. Living in France also provides an excellent opportunity to improve your French language skills while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.
Best for:
Age requirement: 18–35 years old
Minimum savings: NZD $4,200
Additional requirements:
New Zealand is one of the best Working Holiday destinations for Canadians who enjoy nature, adventure, and seasonal work. Popular jobs are available in hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and vineyards, making it relatively easy to find work while traveling.
Outside of work, you’ll have access to breathtaking landscapes, from the mountains of Queenstown to Milford Sound, and the country’s famous hiking trails. The friendly local culture and straightforward visa process also make New Zealand an excellent choice for first-time Working Holiday participants.
Best for:
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!
Planning your budget before you leave can make your Working Holiday much less stressful. While you’ll have the opportunity to earn money abroad, you’ll still need enough savings to cover your visa, flights, insurance, accommodation, and everyday expenses until you receive your first paycheck.
A little preparation can go a long way. Before you depart, consider these budgeting tips:
Remember: A Working Holiday is about more than earning money. It’s an opportunity to build international work experience, discover new destinations, and immerse yourself in a different culture. Make time to explore, try new experiences, and enjoy the journey.
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!
One of the biggest advantages of a Working Holiday visa is the flexibility to work in a variety of industries while living abroad. The jobs available to you will depend on your skills, previous work experience, language ability, and the country you choose.
Many Canadians find work in hospitality, tourism, retail, agriculture, ski resorts, summer camps, customer service, and education. Those with professional experience may also find opportunities in fields such as marketing, engineering, communications, or administration, depending on local visa conditions and employer requirements.
It’s important to remember that every Working Holiday program has different employment rules. For example, Australia’s Working Holiday visa limits how long you can work for the same employer in most circumstances, while the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme offers greater flexibility across many industries. Always review your destination visa conditions before accepting a job.
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.
We make sure your transition into one of the many countries with work holiday visas is as smooth as possible!
Get everything you need to prepare for a successful Working Holiday:
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.
Living and working abroad is an experience that can shape your career, expand your perspective, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re looking to save money while traveling, explore a new culture, or gain international work experience, a Working Holiday offers the flexibility to do all three.
With more than 35 destinations available to eligible Canadians through International Experience Canada (IEC), there’s never been a better time to start planning your next adventure.
Our team is here to help you choose the right destination, prepare your application, and support you before and after you arrive, so you can focus on making the most of your Working Holiday experience.
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!
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