Canada working holiday visa for Italian citizens

This page is for Italian citizens who want to find out about the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program. It shows the main requirements and costs for a temporary stay in Canada. To be eligible, you must be between the ages of 18 and 35. The visa allows you to stay for up to 12 months.

You will need to show proof of funds of at least CAN$2,500. The fees are CAN$184.75 for the IEC application and an additional CAN$100 for the open work permit holder fee. You may also need to pay CAN$85.00 for biometrics. Health insurance for your entire stay is mandatory.

Passport

Italy

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 12 months

Fee

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

Funds

CAN$2,500

Conditions for Italian citizens

• As an Italian citizen, you may participate in IEC twice under any category.
• You must be a resident of Italy when you apply (a residential or mailing address there).
• 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

A key requirement for Italian citizens is that you must be a resident of Italy when you apply, with a residential or mailing address there. Another point is that you can participate in the IEC program twice, using any of the available categories. For comparison, the working holiday programs for Italian citizens in New Zealand and Japan have a lower age limit of 30, while Australia’s is 35. When the data was checked on October 21, 2026, the application pools for the 2026 season were closed.

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 Italian citizens

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

Full list: working holiday visas for Italian citizens.

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