Get to work

Working holidays

Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure? Earn money, grow your skills and fund your adventures with a working holiday in the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

Work when you want, travel when you want.

Working holidays minus the work stress

Why do a working holiday?

Like a bad tribal tattoo. Or surviving freshers' week three times. A working holiday in Australia, New Zealand or Canada is a rite of passage for many Irish 18-30 somethings. It’s the chance to live abroad for an extended period, get overseas job experience and fund your travels with either casual work or career work. Or both. It’s your working holiday, work it your way.

Job access

All our working holidays have the option of an Essential or Ultimate package, which includes access to the USIT Job Hub. From server jobs in Sydney to construction jobs in Canada, you can apply for jobs with vetted employers - before you go, when you arrive and for the whole of your visa. For J1, select Guaranteed Jobs for the best pick of J1 jobs this side of summer.

Visa assistance

It’s rude to ask our age (we were founded in 1959, so *counts on fingers*...), but needless to say, we’ve galloped our way around this rodeo a few times. Our team are visa pros. Where the country allows it, we’ll apply and process the working holiday visa for you. And when it doesn’t, we’ll guide you through it with the correct forms, handbooks and step-by-step help.

Work essentials

All our working holiday packages include the essentials you need to work abroad. This typically includes medical or travel insurance, bank account and tax number set-up and a SIM card. Plus, if you select Essential or Ultimate - hostel nights, socials and in-person job and travel sessions to make friends, find a job, find a place (all of the above).

All Working holidays Programs

What is a working holiday

Often taken as part of a gap year or round the world, working holidays are extended trips where you’re permitted to stay longer than a tourist visa and undertake paid work. You’ll typically need to be 18-30 or 35, with no need to be a student. Depending on the country, you can usually stay for 1-2 years. Most working holidays are a one and done, where you’re only allowed one in your lifetime. The exception being Australia, where you can apply for a second working holiday visa by doing three months of specified regional work on your first visa.

Why do a working holiday

Working holiday visas are a one-time window in your twenties to work abroad without the financial restrictions and employment red tape of sponsorship or emigration visas. It’s the chance to live in a new country and do casual, career or seasonal work such as ski seasons or fruitpicking to help fund your time there. Far from being seen as a stop gap between the academic world and the real world, employers love to see working holidays on a CV. It shows you have the confidence, maturity and motivation to work and travel abroad.

It's hiring season!

Live and work in Canada for up to two years

It may be summer in Ireland (questionable...) but it's winter hiring season for Canada. From construction jobs in Vancouver to server jobs in Whistler, pick our Ultimate package to interview with employers and secure a 4-6 month seasonal job before you go.

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Come and say G'day

Get €100 off your Aussie working holiday

Our Kickstart package is now €599 and includes everything you need to work and play the Aussie way. Includes your working holiday visa, 1-year backpacker insurance, Aussie bank account and tax file number set-up, and SIM. Ends 29 Jun. Use code OZ100. T&Cs apply.

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Upcoming Events

Free virtual info event - Tue 6 June '23 @ 17:30

1-year Grad USA | Everything you need to know

Let's play a game. Final year student or recent grad? Want to live and work in the USA for a year? If that's a double 'yes', then log on for our Grad USA team talk to find out everything you need to know about making the move Stateside after college.

Free virtual info event - Thu 15 June '23 @ 17:30

Work & travel Australia | All the intel plus €100 off

Thinking of blowing this popsicle stand for a new life in the sun? Don't miss our Australia travel talk for the low down on living and working Down Under. Plus there's €100 off all our Work Australia packages before 29 Jun. Ripper.