USIT Work Canada
What’s big, white and full of seasonal jobs? Your USIT working holiday in Canada. Complete with visa support, travel insurance, bank account set-up and the option to pre-arrange a 4-6 month summer or ski season job.
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The scenery is next level – with turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks and whale-filled waters. The cities are the most liveable in the world – cultural and foodie with a party scene that will leave you grizzly like a bear with a sore head. And just... Read more
Why do it with USIT
Applying for a working holiday visa Canada can be confusing. There’s a pool for a start. We guide you through the process to ensure everything is submitted correctly.
Our independent Kickstart and 5-day USIT Job Canada working holiday packages mean you can pick the job and accommodation support that works for you.
Search and apply from hundreds of jobs in Canada on the USIT Job Hub. Apply before you go, when you land and for the whole of your working holiday visa Canada.
18-35 years
Stay for two years
2026 visa applications are open
Option to pre-arrange a job
Earn CAD $16-24/hour
24 months' insurance
From €459
Conor's story
Need to know
We set you up with everything you need to enter the IEC Canada visa pool, apply for your visa and start working in Canada.
There’s nothing like trying to de-code an IEC Canada visa application to suck all the joy out of your Canada travel plans. And then before you know it, the Canada working holiday pool has closed and you’re stuck waiting for another year to apply. Meanwhile, someone else is living the high life in Canada – carving up the slopes in Whistler or downing bottomless Caesars on a rooftop in Vancouver.
Our independent Kickstart package sets you up with all the Canada working holiday essentials – including two years’ travel insurance and guidance on setting up your bank account and Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you want to take the drama out of finding a job, a place to stay and new mates when you land – opt for our 5-day USIT Job starting in either Vancouver or Toronto.
Here’s the need to know on who can apply and what jobs you can do.
POOL STATUS: OPEN. The 2026 visa pool for Canada working holiday visa applications opened on the 19 Dec '25. Book now for instructions on entering the pool and securing your working holiday visa.
About the visa pool
The working holiday visa Canada (or IEC Canada visa) is issued by International Experience Canada – the immigration and citizenship department of the Canadian Government. There are a limited number of visas available each year, which is why you must first register your interest by entering the IEC visa pool. Names are then drawn at regular intervals until all the visas have been taken. If picked from the pool, you’ll receive an ‘Invitation to Apply’ (or ITA) for your Canada visa. The pool opens in Dec/Jan each year, and usually stays open until Sep/Oct. Applying early ensures your profile is exposed to the maximum number of name draws - increasing your chances of getting a visa.
Who can apply
How long for
After receiving your ‘Invitation to Apply’, applying for your visa and submitting your biometrics, you’ll receive your ‘Port of Entry’ letter to work in Canada. You then have 12 months to enter Canada. Your visa allows you to work for two years, for the same or multiple employers.
How we help
The IEC doesn't allow us to apply for your visa on your behalf, but we provide step-by-step guidance and webinars to ensure your application is submitted correctly. The visa costs (CAD $272) and is paid directly to the Canadian government.
Your working holiday visa Canada gives you the freedom to do casual or career work.
Typical jobs in Canada for backpackers jobs include working in tourism, hospitality, sales, labouring, childcare, retail and seasonal work in ski and summer resorts working as housekeepers, chefs, drivers, lift attendants, ski instructors, baristas, servers, front of house and more.
What you'll earn
The minimum wage differs per state or province, with Alberta, Ontario and British Colombia all around the CAD $15-17 mark. Most of our ski and summer season employers pay between $16-24 an hour, plus tips where applicable. You can also work in industries related to your career, education or trade.Here your earning potential will be higher, with up to CAD $40 an hour for skilled workers and uncapped potential for other sectors – especially with a two-year visa to build up your experience and employability.
How we help (USIT Job only)
We have a dedicated team that finds Canadian employers looking to take on working holidaymakers. They’re vetted to make sure everything is legit, and when you’ve paid in full, you’ll get access to the Job Hub where you can start applying for jobs.
Summer, ski + construction jobs
We work with 20+ of the top resorts in Canada to help you secure a 4-6 month ski season or summer job before you go. Depending on the resort, you’ll need to commit to the winter season (Nov-Mar) or summer season (May-Sep). Almost all our seasonal employers include subsidised staff housing (around CAD $400-600 per month) and great perks such as discounted lift passes, gear hire and lessons. The mountains not your thing? We also have year-round construction jobs on our Job Hub too.
If you’d rather wait until you land, your arrival support includes in-person job workshops and CV help. You’ll also have access to our Job Hub for your whole visa to apply for unlimited jobs.
The 5-day Ultimate runs weekly throughout the year and starts in either Vancouver or Toronto. Run by SWAP – our in-country partners – your arrival orientation, job workshops and sessions to sort your bank account etc will start on a Wednesday. Your first night’s accommodation will be on the Tuesday, but if you’re arriving earlier and need extra bed nights – just shout.
You can also use your four nights’ accommodations in Calgary and do your orientation and job workshops remotely.
Just the essentials
Good for... Independent travellers who want to work in Canada, but need some help navigating the visa pool and sorting all the dull-but-important stuff like getting a Social Insurance Number (SIN). A what now? Exactly.
Includes
The full works
Good for... Arriving off a plane with your head in another timezone and wanting your first few days completely taken care of – with hostel accommodation and some fun humans to take you through finding a job/a bank account/a place to live (all of the above).
Includes all this awesomeness
Book now pay later • Secure your spot with €100 deposit • Balance due 12 weeks before you fly
Canada police background check
Visa fee Canada
In-person biometrics appointment
Support funds (CAD $)
Flights
This way to the pool...
Cool spots
Get hired or get the intel
Ask the experts
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