A Guide To Working Holidays In Canada For UK Citizens

Imagine skiing in the Rockies, exploring the countless green spaces in and around Canada’s major cities, and making lifelong friends from around the world. And all while potentially growing your career in Canada.

This guide is your ultimate resource for navigating the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, from securing your work permit to understanding the crucial health insurance requirements. Get ready to create unforgettable memories and take your first steps towards an extraordinary journey in the Great White North!

• If you need a primer on the IEC program and what the working holiday visa is, check out this guide before reading the rest of this page.

Key Takeaways

• UK citizens love the working holiday work permit because you don’t need a job offer to apply and you receive an open work permit. This means you can work for (almost) any employer – including yourself, if you want to start or continue running your own business. 
• The application process is reasonably straightforward.
• Once you land in Canada, you will need to show an immigration officer all required documents. The one that causes the most issues is the requirement for adequate health insurance. It’s crucial to get this right. 
• UK citizens can participate in the IEC twice for up to 36 months. The UK is the only country with an agreement that allows citizens to stay in Canada for this long under the IEC program.
• To learn more about the benefits of an IEC working holiday permit for UK citizens, check out our dedicated post.

How Long Can Brits Stay In Canada On A Working Holiday Visa?

British passport holders can stay in Canada for up to three years through two participations in IEC programs under new rules that came into effect in 2023.

The first participation is up to 24 months in any category, and then a second participation of up to 12 months under any category.

The allowances for Brits to stay in Canada on a working holiday visa are unique. Many countries can only participate once, or if they can participate twice, it needs to be through two different programs (ie. one working holiday and then one internship).

Brits get up to two participations under any category. This means you can do a 2-year working holiday and then apply for another 12 months on a working holiday.

A quirk of the rules is that you don’t apply for a 12-month extension to your IEC work permit. You need to make a fresh application (including going into the IEC pool again) for your second participation. It also means you may need to buy a new IEC insurance policy while you are in Canada. Our partner BestQuote provides affordable health coverage to Brits who are currently in Canada.

Whether you’re looking to complete your first participation or you need to get in the pool for your second, a Moving2Canada account can help. We provide real-time updates on your chances of receiving an invitation, as well as helpful tips for your IEC program participation to run smoothly.

Register for free here.

How to apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa from the UK

Check Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for the working holiday are relatively straightforward. You should make sure you have a valid passport issued from the UK. You must also be between 18 and 35 and not otherwise be inadmissible to Canada.

Note that in addition to the working holiday category, UK citizens have two other IEC program options too: Young Professionals and International Co-op. Click the links to learn more about those programs.

Unsure if you’re eligible? Take our immigration quiz.

Create an IEC Profile

Visit the official IRCC website and create a profile. You will have to provide some personal details and select the Working Holiday Visa category.

The checklist in your Moving2Canada account includes a video run-through of how to create and submit your IEC profile — sign up here for free.

Enter the Pool

Once your profile is created, you’ll be entered into a pool of candidates. The selection from this pool is usually done randomly almost every week during the opening season for applications.

Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you are selected from the pool, you will receive an ITA. Note that this is NOT your visa but an invitation to submit your formal application.

You’ll have to move quickly once invited, as deadlines start right away. More on that below.

If you’re a visual learner, check out our video guide to applying for Canada’s IEC: 

Prepare Your Application

Gather all your documents:

• Your valid passport
• Proof of funds (CAD 2,500)
• A return travel ticket (or additional funds to cover one)
• Police certificates
• Biometrics, if required.

Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees

Complete the application form, attach all required documents, and pay the applicable fees.

Wait for Processing and Decision

After submission, your application will be processed. The processing time can vary.

Receive Work Permit

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a Port of Entry (PoE) Letter of Introduction.

Read more: You will find all the answers to your IEC related questions on our FAQ page.

Travel To Canada

With your PoE in hand, grab the rest of your IEC documents, including your health insurance policy, and travel to Canada to receive your work permit.

IEC Health Insurance For UK Citizens

Remember: an IEC health insurance policy is not the same as travel insurance. Your working holiday in Canada will require a specific type of IEC-eligible insurance. More on the specifics here, if you’re interested. 

We have partnered with two different providers for IEC-eligible health insurance for UK citizens, and we recommend getting quotes from each of them. These two partners, in our opinion, offer IEC budget-friendly policies that are IEC-eligible and offer good value. They also each have a stellar reputation, with 4.7 (out of 5) on TrustPilot in True Traveller’s case (on Aug 20, 2024) and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating for Best Quote. 

BestQuote Travel Insurance

Best Quote Travel Insurance is a full-service Canadian travel insurance broker offering the widest selection of travel insurance plans for visitors to Canada. Available plans may include health coverage, coverage for up to 24 months, and coverage related to pre-existing medical conditions. Plans are available before or after leaving home. Get your quote from BestQuote today!

Best Quote Travel Insurance is available to travellers currently in:

• The UK
• Europe
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Canada
• The rest of the world. 

True Traveller

True Traveller is a popular option for Brits seeking mandatory insurance for International Experience Canada (IEC), including the Working Holiday program. True Traveller’s IEC insurance covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, and it exceeds IRCC’s mandatory requirements. Get your quote from True Traveller today!

True Traveller policies are available to people currently in:

• The UK
• Europe.

So, you must be home in the UK to buy your policy from True Traveller. 

IEC Permit Tips For UK Citizens

Create a free Moving2Canada account

Your free Moving2Canada account contains tons of helpful checklists, video how-tos, guides, and resources to help your move to Canada run as smoothly as possible. 

This account shares real-time information about the state of the IEC candidate pool and your odds of receiving an invitation in the next round. It also has a checklist of items you need to complete to receive your IEC permit, and more information about each step in the process. 

Basically, a free Moving2Canada account will tell you what you need to know when you need to know it. It’s convenient, relevant, and did we mention that it’s totally free? 

Get in the IEC pool early

Unlike Australia and Finland, the UK has not negotiated an unlimited quota for IEC participants. This means that there is a maximum number of UK citizens who will be selected to participate in the IEC working holiday permits each year – and, given that it’s a lottery system, you may miss out on getting an invitation. 

The best way to maximize your chances of receiving an invitation is to get in the IEC pool very early. The season often opens in December, with the first round of invitations taking place in January of each year. These early rounds are usually huge, with invitation rounds getting smaller (and your odds of receiving an invitation dropping) throughout the year. 

Maximize your stay by saving more than minimum funds requirements

The minimum funds requirement really won’t go that far in Canada, especially if you’re bound for one of the more popular destinations that tend to be more expensive to live in (Vancouver, Toronto, and Whistler all fall into this camp).

$2,500 CAD won’t buy a reliable van for you to live the van life, nor will it get you much further than a month or two of rent in most places. Saving much more than the minimum funds requirement can help you get set up in Canada and means you won’t have to work from day one to afford the cost of living. This can ease the financial pressure of finding a job, and give you a chance to explore Canada before jumping into work. 

Prepare in advance for your application 

While the paperwork requirements for IEC aren’t too extensive, it’s best to get your required documents before receiving an invitation to apply. This is because you only have ten days to decide if you’re going to accept your invitation to apply and, if so, you will have twenty days to apply online for your permit.

It’s a pretty tight timeline, so a bit of preparation in advance will go a long way. The best way to plan in advance and to hold yourself accountable (and avoid eventual disappointment!) is to create a Moving2Canada account and use the IEC checklist there to advance your journey.

Join online communities 

There are a number of online forums and communities discussing IEC-related topics, and they are a wealth of practical information. 

We recommend this IEC Forum on Facebook. There’s a huge back catalog of frequently asked questions – and you’re free to ask your own as well. 

Do not overlook health insurance requirements

We repeat – IEC health insurance is mandatory. This is such a tricky requirement and it’s honestly the one that’s most likely to derail your working holiday plans after you receive your POE letter. 

You need to have IEC-specific insurance that meets the exact requirements. These are set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and they are non-negotiable. If you don’t meet the requirements, you won’t get your work permit. Period. 

Beyond the technical requirements: The reality is if you can’t afford IEC insurance, you can’t afford to come to Canada on an IEC permit. The costs associated with anything going wrong are likely to be astronomical. So, you really can’t afford to not be insured. 

You can buy 24 months of IEC insurance for as little as $1,000 – or $1,800 if you want to include snow sports coverage. In the scheme of things, this could be just one or two more pay checks or a month’s worth of side hustle for two years of financial peace of mind.

You can learn more and explore your IEC health insurance options here. 

Explore housing options early 

It’s no secret that Canada is experiencing a housing crisis that is particularly acute in some rental markets, notably Vancouver. Rents can be expensive, even if you’re sharing housing. So it’s best to start putting out feelers as early as possible for accommodation – especially if you’re planning on working at a ski hill. 

Prepare for your job search

Canada’s youth and immigrant job markets can be a little, well, gruelling. At times, youth workers and temporary workers fill labour gaps. However, these populations are usually the first ones to suffer when the labour market tightens up. 

It’s worth keeping an eye on the labour market reporting in Canada before you arrive. There’s also plenty you can do before you land in Canada to start your job search, like checking out our jobs board. 

Other Entry Pathways For UK Citizens To Canada

There are other pathways for UK citizens to immigrate to Canada.

• Express Entry, is ideal for skilled workers with professional qualifications and work experience in in-demand sectors,
• The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow Canada’s provinces to select candidates who meet specific local labor market needs.
• Business Immigration programs, that allow entrepreneurs to start or invest in Canadian businesses,
• Student Visas,
• Family Sponsorship Programs, that allow citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their family members.

Dive deeper into how to move to Canada from the UK with our complete guide.

Create A Free Moving2Canada Account

We’ve helped thousands of IEC participants work through the application process and settle successfully in Canada. 

Get job hunting resources, IEC application checklists, exclusive offers from our partners, and more with your free Moving2Canada account.