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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 a Dutch citizen and are between the ages of 18 and 30, 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 arrangement with the Netherlands that enables the Government of Canada to issue work permits to Dutch citizens who wish to travel and work in Canada for up to one year through International Experience Canada.

Eligibility Criteria for the Working Holiday Category


The Working Holiday category is designed for Dutch 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 a Dutch citizen who normally resides in the Netherlands;
  2. be between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive);
  3. have the equivalent of C$2,500 to help cover your expenses at the beginning of your stay;
  4. 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;
  5. pay a participation fee; and
  6. not have participated in the Working Holiday category before. As a Dutch citizen, you may participate in International Experience Canada only twice and each time in a different category.

If you have applied successfully for a work permit under the "Working Holiday" category, you will receive a work permit with 'open' employer and 'open' employment location. This means you can work for any employer in Canada at any location in Canada, where you are offered a position. There is no restriction on the length of time you can work for one employer within the 12 months.

Please note:

Special occupational fields:
The regular work permit issued under the International Experience Canada (IEC) Initiative does not permit you to work in the following occupational fields:

  1. child care,
  2. primary/secondary school teaching, and
  3. health services occupations.

Should you wish to work in one of these occupational fields, please read the MEDS form carefully, sign it and enclose it with your application package.

Admissibility (for a 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 in 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 a ski resort in Banff... The possibilities are limitless!

As a Dutch citizen, you have two Working Holiday options:

Independent Travel in Canada

Do you have your year-long dream 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

Do you need help planning your travel and working 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).

For your own interest: read the guide for IEC participants coming to Canada.

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

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Date Modified:
2012-05-03