Your Canada Working Holiday Guide
Here is the ultimate guide to your working holiday in Canada! Read on below or download it here in PDF form straight to your mobile or PC.
Are you planning on relocating to Canada on a Working Holiday visa?
This visa allows eligible individuals to work and travel in Canada for up to two years.
Canada has a lot to offer to immigrants. From employment opportunities to endless activities and adventures, it is certainly a popular country among those wishing to relocate.
In this guide, we will share information on getting your visa, tips for getting a job, where to stay, information on the tax system in Canada, and more!
Topics we'll cover
Getting a visa in Canada
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The first hurdle to going on a working holiday in Canada is to get a visa permitting you to fund your travel with work. If you want to go on a working holiday in Canada, you’ll need to apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative. This visa will let you work and travel in Canada for 12 or 24 months.
To qualify you must
- Hold a passport from an eligible country
- Be aged 18-30 years (up to 35 for Irish citizens)
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have proof of C$2,500
The average Canadian tax refund is $998
How to apply
- Apply direct with IEC
- Use an agent such as:
- Swap
- Global Lifestyles Canada
The benefits of an agent can include job placement, airport transfers, hostel accommodation and help with flight searches.
By using an agent this can help to increase your chances of a successful outcome, allowing you more time to plan your move to Canada!
Landing a job
Whether you enjoy an andrenaline rush, like to work as part of a team or enjoy new experiences, Canada has plenty of great seasonal jobs to offer.
Ski resorts
What could be better than landing a job at one of the many ski resorts Canada has to offer? Often, you’ll get subsidised accommodation and free ski passes so what’s not to like?!
Big White, British Columbia is less than one hour from Kelowna, and jobs include working in the ski rental shops, ticketing booths, sales, ski-instructing, operations, guest services, and more. You can search for job listings in their departments here.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia is one of the most popular ski resorts in Canada and home to the Winter Olympics. Whistler is hugely popular with working holidaymakers. The resort is large and they are always in need of restaurant staff, sales reps, shop assistants, and travel consultants. Check out their job postings here.
Sunshine Village, Alberta is just 20 minutes from Banff town at the centre of the Rockies and has a good variety of both indoor and outdoor jobs. If you love being outside then why not try your hand at being a slope groomer? Alternatively, you may want to stay warm and join the customer care team. Either way, you’ll get time off to enjoy the slopes! Check out their job opportunities here.
Hospitality and tourism
There are many job opportunities in restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Try these job boards
Tips
• Get to Canada before the busy summer season
• Drop into local businesses and hand out your CV
• Ask around your hostel; word-of-mouth is a great way to find a job!
Farm work
Fancy working on a farm? There are a number of agencies that will place you in a job on a farm where you’ll get first-hand experience of farming and gain new skills while meeting people from all over the world.
Benefits
• Free meals
• Free accommodation
• Monthly salary
• On-hand farm experience
Tips
• Join an Agricultural Exchange Program
• You may need some previous farming experience
Where to stay in Canada
If you go to Canada to work, your employer may provide accommodation. If not, you'll need to find a place to live!
Hostel
If you don’t have long term accommodation as part of your employment, you should book a hostel before you arrive. Hostels in Canada can vary in the facilities they offer.
Many include
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry facilities
• Free breakfast
• Shared kitchen
Tips
Read the reviews and book a week minimum for your arrival, as it can take some time to find longer term accommodation.
Where to look
• Vancouver – samesun.com/backpackers-hostels/Vancouver
Long term accommodation
If you want to settle down somewhere for a few months, then your best option is to find long term rental accommodation. Sharing with a few mates will be even better and help save you some cash!
Where to look?
Toronto: toronto.craigslist.ca
Vancouver: rentseeker.ca
Montreal: moremontreal.com
Ottawa: ottawaliving.ca
Alberta: edmonton.rentfaster.ca
Tips
• Arrange temporary accommodation before you leave for Canada
• A lease begins at the start of the month and is legally binding
• Don’t sign a lease for longer than you want to live there
• Have enough money for one month’s rent upfront and one month’s rent for a deposit
• Accommodation is often un-furnished so this can be an additional expense
• Bring a reference letter from a previous landlord, as you may be asked for one
• Check out boards in hostels and outside buildings
• Be wary of anyone asking for money before you see the apartment
Getting around
It’s no small feat to travel across the 2nd largest country in the world! If you want to see a lot of Canada, then you might need some time. Airfares can be expensive and the country is so huge it could even take you longer to get from one side to the other than it did to get there in the first place.
By air
If you are short on time, then flying is a great way to travel around Canada! Domestic flights aren't cheap, however there are a number of ways to save, especially if you're flexible on your dates.
The main airlines
• WestJet
Tips
- Set up an alert and check for specials
- Book a midweek flight
- Book well in advance
- Try www.travelcuts.com for student sales
- Consider getting a North American Air Pass
The average Canadian tax refund is $998
By rail
You’ll avoid airport security and get breathtaking views of the country if you travel by train. ViaRail operates most intercity and transcontinental trains.
Tips
- Book in low season (Oct-May)
- Book economy class
- Get a Canrail pass
By bus
It's relatively cheap to travel around Canada by bus. There is a great choice of various backpacker tours available, or you can simply use them to get from A to B.
Canadian backpacker tours
Swim in a lake, see bears and wolves in their natural habitat, and meet fellow travellers who are young at heart on a backpacker bus tour.
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Popular tours
• Moose Travel Network Backpacker Tours
• Salty Bear Adventure Travel Tours
FlixBus Canada
FlixBus Canada is a bus company that operates in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls. It is a great way to get from A to B at a low cost.
Tips
- Compare the price of two-way vs return tickets
- There may be options to buy monthly or weekly passes which may be cheaper in the long run
By car
You could save a lot of money if you drive, especially if you invest in a campervan which will save you the cost of accommodation.
Where to look
Tips
• Bring your driver’s licence
• You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Read up on the rules of the road in each province
• Always get valid car insurance
• Fuel up - it’s a big country!
The average Canadian tax refund is $998
Nightlife
Whether you want to dance the night away or be dazzled at a broadway show, you won't be disappointed in Canada!
Toronto
If you’re looking to party in Toronto, then put on your dancing shoes and head to the entertainment district in Downtown Toronto. Around 30,000 clubbers hit the area on a Saturday night around King Street West between University Ave and Spadina Ave.
Theatre
You don’t have to go far to find a show, with everything from Broadway musicals and comedy to more classic theatre productions. The Toronto Theatre District is the third largest English speaking theatre district in the world and you’ll find landmark venues such as the Royal Alexandra Theatre, the Tarragon theatre and the Factory Theatre here.
A number of festivals take place throughout the year, including the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake celebrating the works of Irish playwright Bernard Shaw and the Toronto Fringe Festival at numerous venues.
Restaurants
For food in the evening, try Khao San Road’s seriously spicy Thai dishes or get a taste of more traditional Canadian cuisine at Canoe. The Victory Café will fill you up with their gastro pub food and you can enjoy the cosy pub atmosphere. Or for something a little fancier, try Scaramouche Restaurant Pasta Bar and Grill in Southill.
Vancouver
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Start your night out in Gastown in Downtown Vancouver at an authentic Irish pub like The Irish Heather or if you’re looking for a cocktail and more chic surroundings, then slink over in your stilettos to the George Ultra Lounge in Yaletown.
The main strip for bars downtown is Granville St, which is where a lot of Vancouver’s younger population head for a night out. Another popular place is Yaletown Brewing Company located on Mainland Street.
Omnimax
If you’re looking for something different on a night out, then pay a visit to the Omnimax Theatre with all-enveloping IMAX screens projected inside a dome. At a whopping 5 storeys high, you won’t fail to be impressed by the shows, many of which are educational and science-related.
Chinatown
Vancouver’s Chinatown is the third largest in North America and this is where you’ll find the best dim sum and spare ribs in Canada. At night in the summer, Vancouver comes alive with night markets in Richmond, Surrey, and North Vancouver, and you’ll be overwhelmed by delicious aromas and the large selection of new foods to try, especially Asian, which dominates the food scene in Vancouver. If you haven’t tried fresh sushi, now is your chance!
Montreal
A stunning blend of the old and new, Montreal reveals its greatest secrets at night in its candlelit drinking dens and hidden gems down dusty laneways. The city also has one of the most exciting food scenes in Canada; brimming with irresistible patisseries, old Jewish delis, and Parisian-style food markets. You’re in luck if you visit in the summer as Montreal hosts lots of great festivals including the Fringe Festival, Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and Jazz Fest.
Gay Village
If you’re seeking a night of dancing and drag queens, go to the Gay Village. Montreal has a thriving gay community and hosted the world’s first Outgames. For a little flavour of history then walk over to Old Montreal and visit Le Piano Rouge.
Poutine
If you’re eating in Montreal you shouldn’t leave without trying Quebec’s favourite dish, ‘Poutine’. Made with french fries in cheese curds and topped with a gravy-like sauce, it may not sound tempting at first, but this dish has won the hearts of Canadians all over. Many large chains sell a version of it, but if you’re in Montreal then you should check out some well-known places for Poutine, such as The Green Spot, La Banquise, or the Garde Manger.
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If you go to Canada to work, you’ll pay 15%- 33% income tax on your wages, but the good news is you can apply for a refund at the end of the tax year. If you find it confusing, you can use an agent like Taxback to get it all back!
Do I need to file a tax return?
Yes. If you’re working in Canada on a temporary basis, then you’re legally obliged to file a tax return. You should submit it by 30 April. Don't forget, by filing a tax return you will be able to claim your tax refund. You can use our income tax calculator to find out how much tax you are owed!
Your residency status
Under Canada's tax system, your tax obligations are determined by your residency status. If you’re on a working holiday in Canada, you’ll be classified as a ''non-resident for tax purposes''.
When can I apply for a refund?
The Canadian tax year runs from 1 January to 31 December and you have up to 10 years to claim a tax refund.
How to apply
Just try Taxback's free no-obligation online refund calculator here to see how much tax you could be due back.
What documents do I need?
To file your tax return, you’ll need a T4 or your final cumulative payslip. You’ll also need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) which you can get from your employer or visa sponsor. If you’re having trouble finding it, Taxback can help you with this.
How long does it take?
If you’re due a refund, it should take about 8-12 weeks to get it to you. If you’re still in Canada, you can also call into any one of our offices or email us from anywhere at info@taxback.com.
The average Canadian tax refund is $998
Get your Canada Working Holiday Guide here!
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