Step-by-Step Application Guide
The Canadian Embassy in Rome is the only office that administers applications for International Experience Canada - Working Holiday Program for citizens of Italy. Canadian citizens who wish to participate in this program in Italy should contact the Italian Embassy in Ottawa, who provides reciprocal service for this bilateral exchange program.
The number of work permits that may be issued under this program is limited. Applications that are incomplete in any way will be rejected, and returned by regular local mail to the applicant. An incomplete application will not reserve a place in this program. Applicants should ensure that the application is fully completed to avoid disappointment.
Once you have read the “Eligibility Criteria” sections on this website, you can then go ahead and complete the required forms, attach the required supporting documents, arrange payment of the program participation fee, confirm the application package is complete and the information correct, and send in your application package.
Required Documents
- Set 1 – to be reviewed by the IEC section
- Set 2 – to be reviewed by the Visa and Immigration section
The application package that you send to the Embassy of Canada to Italy consists of two sets of documents that have to be submitted together. The first set of documents will be reviewed by the International Experience Canada (IEC) section of the Embassy of Canada to Italy to assess your eligibility to participate in IEC. The second set of documents will be reviewed by the Visa and Immigration section of the Embassy of Canada to Italy, to assess your admissibility for a work permit.
1st set of documents (IEC criteria):
- The new IEC application and declarations form. The 2013 International Experience Canada program is now closed.
- A legible photocopy of the identification pages of your passport (family names, given name(s), date and place of birth, passport's issue and expiry dates). Your passport must be valid for at least one day beyond the date of your departure from Canada and there must be one completely blank page, other than the last page, available in your passport. The passport must have been issued after July 1, 2002. Do not send your passport.
- Proof that you have paid the IEC program participation fee. Please attach proof of payment containing a transaction number.
2nd set of documents (admissability to Canada):
- Work permit application form (IMM1295) | PDF (222 KB), Instruction Guide (IMM5487), * . This form has to be filled and validated online. Once validated, please print it and add it to the supporting documentation.
- Family composition form (IMM5645E) | PDF (64 KB) * . This form has to be filled online. Once filled, please print it and add it to the supporting documents.
- Two passport-sized photos; see photo requirements and specifications.
- The originals of two recent Italian police certificates, the certificato generale del casellario giudiziale (secondo l’articolo 24 del testo unico) and the certificato dei carichi pendenti rilasciati dalla Procura della Repubblica presso il Tribunale di residenza, valid for emigration. The certificates do not need any stamp nor to be translated.
- Recent certificate of residence in Italy. We do not accept self-authentications. The certificate does not need any stamp nor to be translated.
- A legible photocopy of the identification pages of your passport (family names, given name(s), date and place of birth, passport's issue and expiry dates). Your passport must be valid for at least one day beyond the date of your departure from Canada and there must be one completely blank page, other than the last page, available in your passport. The passport must have been issued after July 1, 2002. Do not send your passport.
- A complete list of the addresses where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18. This list can be written on a separate document and added to your application package.
- (if applicable) Recent police certificates from all the countries other than Italy where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18. Information on how to obtain a police certificate.
ATTENTION: Once your IEC application has been approved, you will receive a Letter of Introduction from the Visa and Immigration section of the Embassy of Canada. The letter of introduction will be sent by e-mail. To avoid any delays, candidates are kindly asked to add the e-mail address romevisa@international.gc.ca to their safe senders list and to print immediately the letter of introduction once received.
Note: Please arrange your documents in the order indicated above.
We keep all the documents you send us, so please keep copies for your files.
The Embassy of Canada reserves the right to request additional supporting documents and/or proceed with additional verifications (for example, request original documents, contact your employer).
A medical examination is not normally a requirement, unless any intended employment is in the health services, teaching, child care or any similar or related occupation. If you intend to seek employment in these occupations, you should indicate that on your declaration, in order that we may provide you the appropriate medical instructions once your application has been received. You may not work in these occupations in Canada without having completed the relevant medical examinations. Please be aware that processing time may be extended up to 4 weeks.
Incomplete, unsigned and non-compliant application packages will not be processed.
WARNING: Misrepresentation
All applicants are legally required to be truthful and disclose all relevant information with their applications. Applicants who submit application packages that contain misrepresented information, knowingly or unknowingly, will be denied entry to Canada and may also be banned from travelling to Canada. The details of the misrepresentation will remain permanently on record with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. For more information on misrepresentation, please visit Document Fraud (Misrepresentation) .
Submitting Your Application Package
You can send your application package by mail or deliver it in person to the Embassy of Canada to Italy.
Canadian Embassy
Working Holiday Program
Via Salaria 243
00199 Rome
ATTENTION:
- Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.
- No printed application forms are available at the Embassy.
- Incomplete applications will be returned without being examined and the program participation fee will be refunded by electronic bank transfer to the account for which you will have provided information.
- Applications received with a cash payment will be refused on the grounds of non-compliance and returned without being examined.
- Applications received with a payment by cheque or certified cheque will also be refused on the grounds of non-compliance and returned without being examined. The cheque or certified cheque will also be returned to the sender without having been cashed.
- In order to respect the principle of “first come, first served”, no trace will be kept of incomplete or noncompliant applications.
Please note: The Embassy of Canada does not take any responsibility for lost or misdirected mail. We strongly recommend that applicants use more secure means, such as a courier, to send in their application packages.
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