Canada working holiday visa for Irish citizens

This page shows the main requirements for Irish citizens applying for a Canadian working holiday visa under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. The data is for the IEC Working Holiday category, which allows for temporary paid work with almost any employer in Canada.

To be eligible, you must be an Irish citizen aged 18 to 35. The visa permits a stay of up to 24 months. You will need to show proof of funds of at least CAN$2,500. The fees are a CAN$184.75 IEC fee plus a CAN$100 open work permit holder fee. You cannot bring dependants with you.

Passport

Ireland

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 24 months

Fee

CAN$184.75 IEC fee + CAN$100 open work permit holder fee

Funds

CAN$2,500

Conditions for Irish citizens

• As an Irish citizen, you may participate in the Working Holiday category only once. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may participate in IEC one more time through the International Co-op (Internship) category. If you participated in IEC before 2013 for a period of up to 12 months, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice. Those who participated in IEC more than once before 2013 are no longer eligible to apply.
• Other IEC categories for this passport: International Co-op (Internship), Young Professionals.

General rules of the program

• Usually up to 12 months; some agreements allow up to 23 or 24 months (see the table).
• Open work permit: temporary paid work for almost any employer to help pay for the trip.
• At least CAN$2,500 (or the equivalent) shown on a bank statement, plus a return ticket or money to buy one.
• Health insurance for the whole stay; you may have to show it at the border.
• IEC fee CAN$184.75 plus open work permit holder fee CAN$100.00; biometrics CAN$85.00 if you need to give them.
• You cannot be accompanied by dependants.
• IRCC's profile page said the pools for the 2026 season were closed when we checked on 21 October 2026.

What stands out

The stay of up to 24 months for Irish citizens is longer than the standard 12 months offered in many other agreements. You can only participate in the Working Holiday category once. However, if you participated before 2013 for up to 12 months, you may be eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months. Other IEC categories available for Irish citizens are International Co-op (Internship) and Young Professionals.

The official information stated that the pools for the 2026 season were closed as of 21 October 2026.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check the IEC page for your country: categories, age range and how long the work permit lasts.
2. Create an IEC profile and enter the pool for your country and category.
3. If you receive an invitation to apply, accept it and submit the work permit application within 20 days.
4. Pay the IEC fee and the open work permit holder fee (and biometrics if asked).
5. Bring proof of funds, insurance and your port of entry letter when you travel.

Other programs open to Irish citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for Irish citizens.

All passports for this program: Canada working holiday visa (IEC) by country.