Whether you’re on a gap year, have a few months in between studies, or just looking for a new adventure – have you considered a Canada working holiday?
Does the idea of going to work and travel Canada for a few months sound like something you’d be up for?
It sure does for us!
Canada is home to some of the most beautiful, jaw-dropping landscapes globally, not to mention the incredible wildlife (anyone seen a bear before?), some pretty epic cities to explore, and many adventures to be had.
No one leaves Canada the same. Its staggering natural beauty, sheer vastness, and adventure-filled outdoor activities will leave you breathless. And it’s the perfect destination to explore on a working holiday!
What is a working holiday?
The words ‘working holiday’ don’t usually go together, right? I mean, if you’re working then is it really a holiday?
Well, the idea of a working holiday is to go to work in another country. It involves getting a local job for a few months to help you fund your travels around the country. Many people seek short-term jobs in multiple regions as a way to explore that country in-depth.
Working holidays are to have an adventure, try new things, explore new destinations, and make new friends around the world.
Like Global Work & Travel, organisations help set up everything that you need for your working holiday. From securing job interviews with local companies for you to assisting with getting your Canada working holiday visa, transfers & accommodation, local experiences, a Canadian local bank account & mobile number, and so much more.
How to do a working holiday in Canada?
If you sign up with Global Work & Travel’s Canada working holiday package (make sure to use our code TRAVELDUDES for $50 off your trip!), their expert team will take care of all the necessary details for you. Going this route means that you’ll arrive in Canada with confidence, knowing exactly what next steps to take on your journey (meaning you’ll have more time for planning adventures!).
Global Work & Travel’s Canadian working holiday package includes:
- Guaranteed interview before arrival earning from $11 CAD an hour (this helps as a lot of companies don’t hire travelers)
- Unlimited extra interviews (for when you want to head to another destination)
- Dedicated Trip Coordinator
- Canada working holiday visa guidance
- Personal Travel Concierge (a dedicated Concierge to plan your flights, insurance or any other add-ons to plan with your trip)
- Private airport transfer
- 4 nights of hostel accommodation in downtown Vancouver
- “Welcome to Canada” group orientation
- Local life essentials (including Canadian SIM, help with setting up a local bank account and a Social Insurance Number)
- Vancouver sightseeing tour
- Vancouver Lookout pass
- Day trip to Whistler
- Overnight stay in Las Vegas
- Permanent accommodation support
- Mail holding
- Tax return assistance
- Ongoing support from our local team
- 24/7 Global Emergency Line
- gWorld access
- Marketplace deals
To qualify, you need to be between 18-35 years of age, be a citizen of an eligible country, and have no criminal convictions in the past five years.
How to get a Canada work holiday visa
Citizens from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden or Switzerland are eligible for the International Experience Canada (IEC) visa.
Here are the Canadian visa working holiday requirements:
- You need to be between the ages of 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Australian, New Zealand, Danish, French, German, Irish, Italian, Norwegian, Swiss citizens up to 35 (inclusive).
- You must attend an in-person biometrics appointment at specified locations to complete your visa application.
- Provide proof of funds; $2,500 AUD to successfully obtain visa at the time of visa application.
- You will not be accompanied by dependent children.
- You have comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay; you may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada.
At present (June 2021), only IEC participants with a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction and a valid job offer are eligible to travel to Canada right now. You must also be able to start your job as soon as you complete your quarantine. Check the start date on your job offer before you travel.
You can check the most up-to-date Canada work holiday visa information here. The team at Global Work & Travel will provide visa guidance.
Unfortunately, U.S. citizens aren’t eligible for a Canadian work holiday visa. If you’re from the U.S., why not head on a working holiday in Australia or New Zealand?
How much does a working holiday in Canada cost?
Working holiday Canada trips with Global Work & Travel start from $2,594 and includes what was listed above.
Extra costs include your flights, travel insurance, visa, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.
Types of working holiday Canada jobs
You’ll find lots of seasonal jobs in Canada! Typical working holiday jobs include waitressing, working as a ski instructor, fruit picking, hotel or resort jobs, and tour guides. Most seasonal jobs don’t require any prior experience, meaning that you can explore something entirely out of your career path for a few months.
Global Work & Travel work with over 1,200 host organisations all over the world – meaning that you have a whole range of options.
In Canada, a few of their most popular working holidays include:
- Being a woodsman in the Yoho National Park (just outside Banff).
- Being a kayak & horse-riding guide in Clearwater (a town near Kamloops in B.C).
- Being a wedding and events coordinator, social media manager and axe throwing instructor in Agassiz (about 100k’s out of Vancouver).
They’ve also got positions for photographers, poolside bartenders, ziplining guides, white water rafting drivers, whale watching tour guides, bear sighting tour guides, fishing trip tour guides. There’s pretty much something for everyone!
Working holiday Canada review
Here’s what one of the attendees to Global Work & Travel’s Canada working holiday has to say about her experience.
“Moving to Canada with the help and confidence from Global Work & Travel has been the best thing I’ve ever done.
The new experiences and personal growth have been priceless. From hiking Garibaldi Lake to learning to snowboard, seeing real Elk in my backyard and making friends and connections I will keep with me no matter where I am.
I have had the best year travelling and can’t wait for where my next adventure takes me. Thank you to the team at Global for your help!” – Helena Peters, Working Holiday in Canada
A working holiday in Canada will help you find your purpose, discover yourself, and go home knowing what you want to do with your life. Sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zone and do something entirely different for a few months to gain more clarity in our lives. Plus, it’s a fun way to spend a few months!
So, are you ready to brave the Canadian wilderness and live out your working holiday fantasies?
Get in touch with Global Work & Travel now to kickstart the process – make sure to use our code TRAVELDUDES for $50 off your trip!
