Canada working holiday visa for UK citizens

This page shows the main requirements for UK citizens who want to get a working holiday visa for Canada. The program is called International Experience Canada, or IEC. It allows you to get a temporary open work permit to help pay for your trip.

To be eligible, you must be a British citizen aged 18 to 35. The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months. The cost is a CAN$184.75 IEC fee plus a CAN$100 open work permit holder fee. You will also need to show proof of at least CAN$2,500 in funds and have health insurance for your entire stay.

Passport

United Kingdom

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 UK citizens

• As a British citizen, you may participate in IEC twice: a first participation of 24 months under any category a second participation of 12 months under any category If you participated in IEC before 2015 for a period of up to 12 months, you are eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months in any category. Those who already participated in IEC twice 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

A key detail for British citizens is that you may be able to participate in IEC twice. A first participation can be for 24 months, and a second for 12 months. If you participated for up to 12 months before 2015, you may be eligible for a second participation of up to 24 months.

The age limit of 18 to 35 is higher than for some other destinations available to UK citizens, such as Japan or Hong Kong. When the data was checked on 21 October 2026, the government’s profile page stated that the 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 UK citizens

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

Full list: working holiday visas for UK citizens.

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