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Working Holiday

Travel and work in Canada for up to one year

“I can say it was an unforgettable experience. I can highly recommend it. It's a way to see more of this beautiful country Canada.” - Cecile Villiger, Working Holiday in Canada

If you’re an Estonian citizen and are between the ages of 18 and 35, your next life adventure could take you just about anywhere! Why not travel and work in Canada through International Experience Canada?

Travel and work holidays are a great way to:

  • tour Canada;
  • experience Canadian culture; and,
  • meet both English-speaking and French-speaking people.

The work portion of your trip lets you earn money while in Canada so that you can fund your travels during your extended stay. Although you may not make enough for savings, you could have enough for side trips and accommodation while you’re in Canada.

Canada has an agreement with Estonia that enables the Government of Canada to issue work permits to Estonian citizens who wish to travel and work in Canada for up to one year.

Eligibility Criteria for the Working Holiday Category

The Working Holiday category is designed for Estonian citizens who intend to travel in Canada and who wish to find temporary paid employment to help pay for their stay (maximum 12 months).

To be eligible for the Working Holiday category, you must:

  1. be between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive at the time your application is received;
  2. be an Estonian citizen holding an Estonian passport that remains valid throughout the period of stay in Canada;
  3. be in possession of a ticket to leave Canada at the end of your stay or sufficient financial resources to purchase such a ticket;
  4. have the equivalent of C$2,500 to help cover your expenses at the beginning of your stay;
  5. provide a clean Estonian police certificate;
  6. not be accompanied by dependant(s) under your IEC application;
  7. be prepared to take out health-care insurance for the duration of your stay – you may have to present evidence of this insurance when you enter Canada ;
  8. pay a participation fee that is equivalent to C$150 in EUR; and
  9. not have participated in the Working Holiday category before. As an Estonian citizen, you may participate in International Experience Canada only twice and each time in a different category.

Admissibility (for work permit)

Every person who enters Canada as a temporary resident (visitor, worker or student) must meet general requirements for temporary entry as set out by Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.
At any time during the processing of your application, Citizenship and Immigration Canada may request additional information or documents to determine your admissibility.

Imagine working at a pub in Halifax, a cafe in Winnipeg, or at a ski resort in Banff... The possibilities are limitless!

Estonia has two Working Holiday options:

Independent Travel in Canada

Have your dream year-long holiday in Canada already mapped out?

  • Start the application process.
  • Make travel and accommodation arrangements, and buy health-care insurance (once you have received your Letter of Introduction).

Please note: International Experience Canada does not help with financing, travel plans or your job search.

Travel in Canada through a Recognized Organization

Need help planning your travel and work holiday in Canada?

  • Contact one of our recognized organizations  (These are non-governmental organizations that charge a fee for their services. They may offer their services in English only, in French only, or in both official languages)
  • Start the application process.
  • Make travel and accommodation arrangements, and buy health-care insurance (once you have received your Letter of Introduction).

Still have questions? Check our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.

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Date Modified:
2013-05-13