Planning a working holiday in Canada? Awesome! I also made that choice back in 2011 and haven’t really left Canada since (I love it too much!) Let me help you out with five things you should definitely know before making the leap and applying for Canada’s working holiday program
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The IEC application process uses a lottery system
The popularity of working holidays in Canada is such that is usually more demand than places available. For this reason, a lottery system is used for the application process. Candidates must create a ‘profile’ and wait in a pool of other hopefuls.
Every so often, some will be randomly selected for the opportunity to go to Canada.
Yes, it’s frustrating and, yes, it doesn’t seem fair. But Canada is awesome and everyone seems to know it! If you are not from Australia (those lucky souls have an unlimited quota) and Ireland (way more places than demand), then you just have to cross your fingers and wait. Good luck!
Travel insurance for the length of your working holiday in canada is mandatory
One of the core requirements of the IEC program is to purchase travel insurance for the length of your intended working holiday in Canada. This must cover repatriation and hospitalisation. You may receive a shortened work permit or be refused entry without adequate insurance. Pretty scary stuff!
Program requirements aside, Canada isn’t really a place you want to travel without insurance anyway. Ambulance rides cost around $500 a pop, x-rays start at $600 and hospital stays average at over $5k a night….ouch!
Available for citizens of most EU countries, True Traveller offers 24-month plans which can be purchased even if you have already left your home country.
With Australian insurer Fast Cover, an initial 12-month policy can be purchased and then extended for another 12 months on the departure date.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers from over 140 countries. Policies can be started when already travelling or extended while still away.
Networking is pretty useful for professional roles in Canada
Networking is a bit of a thing in Canada. If you hope to work a professional job role in Canada during your working holiday, networking can help.
Use LinkedIn before you even arrive in Canada to find and connect with potential employers. Once on the ground, use sites like Meetup.com to find like-minded people within your profession and mingle.
When applying for jobs, ALWAYS follow-up by email or phone. Canadians seem to appreciate the personal touch!
Every province and territory in Canada is quite different
Canada, as you may have noticed, is HUGE. And what is normal in Ontario (bagged milk anyone?) may not be the same in BC or Alberta.
For one thing, official documents and processes like drivers licenses and car insurance are provincially organised.
This is most important to know if you plan to buy a vehicle in one province and then settle in another. An inspection would be needed as well as new registration and insurance in this situation.
If travelling across the country is something in your plan during your Canadian working holiday, keep these inter-provincial issues in mind.
Staying in Canada for longer is possible
The IEC program is not designed a stepping stone to Canadian Permanent Residency (PR), but it can help.
Express Entry is the points-based selection application process and works a bit like the IEC program. Candidates first create a profile to be put into a pool. Those with the highest points will be asked to apply for PR.
Other factors are important too (age, education, language ability) but 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Canada is a substantial point scorer.
For a job to be considered ‘skilled,’ it has to be categorised as 0, A or B by the NOC system. If staying in Canada long term is something you’re thinking about, research skilled job roles before you arrive. Make your dream happen!
What are your Canadian working holiday plans? Let me know in the comments below
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One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada