Canada working holiday visa for British citizens
What Canada asks of British citizens on a working holiday, taken from the official rules. Only the facts the government page states are shown.
Travel Aid isn’t legal advice and can’t confirm that you’re eligible or that you’ll get a visa. Rules change, so always check the official government page before you apply.
International Experience Canada — Working Holiday · IEC Working Holiday
An open work permit to travel and work anywhere in Canada. Candidates join a pool and are invited at random.
Last checked by Travel Aid on 30 October 2026
Key facts for British citizens
- Ages
- 18 to 35
- Length of stay
- Up to 24 months
- Times you can get this visa
- Up to 2 times
- Places a year
- 9,346
- Ballot for a first visa
- Yes, places are given out by random draw
- Cost
- CAD 284.75
What else you need with a United Kingdom passport
Stay: up to 24 months on your first participation; you can take part twice (second time up to 12 months, any category). British citizens from the UK or the Channel Islands.
Good to know
Length of stay depends on passport (12, 23 or 24 months). Cost = IEC fee CAD 184.75 + open work permit holder fee CAD 100; biometrics may be extra. Process: submit a profile to your country's pool, wait for a random Invitation to Apply, accept within 10 days, then apply within 20 days. The 2026 season is closed (pools closed; final round week of 19 Oct 2026); 2027 season not yet announced. Funds CAD 2,500; health insurance for the whole stay (your permit may be cut to your insurance end date); cannot be accompanied by dependants.
What's changed
Japanese citizens can now take part in IEC twice (from 1 April 2025).
Effective 1 April 2025 · Source (opens in a new tab)