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Working in Canada is the dream of many people of all profiles, who each year try a new adventure abroad. But why is Canada such a popular destination?
Why work in Canada?
Quality of life in Canada
Canada is known for offering an exceptional quality of life to its residents. The healthcare system is of high quality and accessible to all. Education is also renowned for its excellence, ranging from primary schools to renowned universities. There are many opportunities to enjoy beautiful natural settings. In short, the quality of life is high. And this can give us an idea of the main motivations encouraging more and more French people to expatriate to Canada.
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An ideal setting for Foreigners
Unlike many other countries, Canada remains a priority destination for a international immigrants who wants to live and work abroad without speaking English. Indeed, the country is bilingual and the province of Quebec is mainly French-speaking. Therefore, the problem of the language barrier no longer arises. This is therefore a very good reason to go and work in Canada .
Working in Canada for its dynamic environment
The Canadian job market offers a variety of opportunities in sectors such as technology, finance, health, engineering and many others. In addition, the country is constantly growing economically. As a result, many workers have access to stable jobs and opportunities for advancement. Therefore, working in Canada can help you acquire new skills and develop your career. The professional environment is stimulating and diverse. As a result, the country attracts students, working holidaymakers and families who wish to settle in Canada.
Cultural diversity and open-mindedness
Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, with residents from all over the world. Working in Canada means being exposed to a variety of cultures, customs and traditions. This cultural diversity fosters open-mindedness and tolerance. And it can be very enriching on a personal and professional level and appreciated by all those who dream of new horizons.
Before you start looking for a job in Canada, you should determine which visas you are most likely to obtain. You could choose between several visas to work in Canada : for temporary workers, business trips or even for students. And among these, here are some available categories:
- Visas for temporary workers
- Business visas (commercial and professional visits, transfers, etc.)
- Family helpers
- Summer Camp Counselors
- Agricultural workers
- Working in Canada from 18 to 35 years old with EIC
In this article we will focus primarily on “PVT” type visas reserved for 18-30 year olds (or 35 year olds) as part of the International Experience Canada program offered by the Canadian government.
For more information on the different visas available, please visit the official government website. You can also check if you need a work permit for Canada
Working in Canada for 18-35 year olds through the IEC program
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program set up by the Canadian government for young people aged 18 to 30 or 35. It is accessible to nationals of the program’s partner countries. Therefore, if you come from France, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand or Luxembourg, you can apply for IEC.
The goal of this program is to help young citizens to:
- Gain new professional experience abroad
- Improve your language skills
- Discover Canada and work to finance your stay
Visas available to work in Canada with IEC
The “International Experience Canada” program offers young adults the opportunity to live and work in Canada for a maximum of 2 years. The program offers 3 different types of visas. Depending on your citizenship, you may be eligible for one or more of these visas, and therefore submit one or more applications in different categories.
The Canada Working Holiday Permit
You can apply for this visa if you have not yet found a job in Canada, and you plan to work in Canada for several employers and/or in several different locations. This visa does not impose any restrictions on this. It is called an “open visa permit”. However, be careful: while the Working Holiday Visa Canada is the most flexible in the program, it is also in high demand. And it is not open to all citizens of IEC partner countries either.
The “young professionals” permit
Unlike the working holiday visa, the “young professional” work permit will be linked to one employer only. Therefore, you can apply for it if you already have a job opportunity in Canada. In addition, it must be part of your professional career. Finally, this visa allows you to work in Canada for the same employer for the entire stay. The latter must pay you at least the minimum wage in force in the territory concerned.
The “international coop internship” visa
As its name suggests, the “international co-op internship” visa is more suited to students wishing to do an internship in Canada. You can apply for it if:
- Have student status
- Have already validated a company placement or internship in Canada
- You must complete an end-of-studies internship abroad
- You will consider completing your work placement with the same employer for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
Your internship in Canada may or may not be paid. This condition depends on the labor law in force in the province where you will be leaving.
Visas to work in Canada by partner country
In this section, you will find the list of visas for which you can apply, depending on your citizenship. We will focus only on French-speaking partner countries that are partners of the IEC program. This information is official and taken from the Canadian government website. However, it is subject to change and it is therefore advisable to visit the official website for possible updates.
EIC visas for French people wishing to work in Canada
French nationals who wish to work in Canada must apply for work permits in the following categories (18 to 35 years old):
- Working holiday, up to 24 months.
- Young Professionals, also up to 24 months
- International Coop internship, up to 12 months and provided you are registered in a higher education establishment.
Visas available for Belgian nationals
Only the working holiday permit category is accessible to Belgian nationals, aged 18 to 30 and for a limit of 12 months, non-renewable.
Work visas for New Zealand citizens
New Zealand citizens can only apply for a Working Holiday Visa. They are eligible until they are 35 years old and for a period of up to 23 months.
Permits for Luxembourg citizens
Like the French, Luxembourg citizens have access to the three categories of work permits that are part of the “International Experience Canada” program, namely the working holiday permit, the “young professionals” permit and the “international co-op internship” permit. However, the age limit is set at 30 years and the maximum duration at 12 months.
Working in Canada for a young Swiss
Young Swiss citizens have access to two categories of work permits:
- The “young professionals” permit, up to 35 years old and for a limit of 18 months.
- The “international coop internship” permit, also up to 35 years old and for a limit of 12 months.
Good to know : Swiss citizens can combine two permits to work in Canada , provided that the total duration does not exceed 18 months.
Working in Canada: Basic conditions for “youth” permits EIC
Generally speaking, the basic conditions apply to all those applying for a visa to work in Canada, namely:
- Be a citizen of a country eligible for the requested visa.
- Have a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
- Be between 18 and 30 years old or 35 years old depending on the country.
- Prove that you have at least $2,500 CAD in your bank account
- Take out specialized insurance to work in Canada
- Pay your visa fees.
- Leaving unaccompanied by a dependent
- Prove that you have a return plane ticket, or that you have enough money to buy your return ticket.
How the IEC visa system works for Canada
The allocation of work permits works on the basis of a system of quotas and invitations given during “invitation rounds”. From then on, you can apply for the work permit of your choice, provided of course that you are eligible for it. Let’s see together how it works:
How to apply for your work visa in Canada?
To have a chance to go work in Canada under the IEC program, you must apply on the Canada.ca website and go through the detailed instructions on the Canadian government website. An overview of the permit application is published on their site. From there, you will be invited to fill out a “come to Canada” form and create your online profile. From this step, you will have to wait for an invitation to apply (I will explain this process a little later in this article), and to choose your “pool”, corresponding to a visa category. This gives you time to start gathering the documents that will be requested.
If you receive an invitation to apply, you have 10 days to accept or decline it, then 20 days from the acceptance to submit a complete work permit application and submit all requested supporting documents electronically. Please note that in some cases, a medical exam may be required. Similarly, biometric data may be requested. In this case, you will need to go to an approved centre to submit the necessary documents and you will then have an additional 30 days. Watch the video below for more information on the process of applying for a work permit for Canada.
What are the remaining places for people wishing to work in Canada (August 2023)?
Here is the data available as of August 18, 2023. It will of course need to be verified at the time of your departure, but it gives you an idea of the places that may be available to work in Canada.
Canada Working Holiday Permit Quotas 2023:
Places to be allocated in January 2023: 7000
Invitations sent: 16,886
Registered candidates: 11,760
Places available: 0
As of today, the chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a working holiday visa in the next round of invitations are extremely low, if not zero.
Young Professionals Permit Quotas Canada 2023:
Places to be allocated in January 2023: 2200
Invitations sent: 3156
Registered candidates: 355
Places available: 368
By applying for a “young professionals” permit to work in Canada, you still have every chance of receiving an invitation to submit a full visa application.
International co-op internship permit quotas 2023:
Places to be allocated in January 2023: 4250
Invitations sent: 3883
Registered candidates: 24
Places available: 1671
The chances of being able to apply for a visa in this category are excellent.
What are the remaining places for French people wishing to work in Canada (August 2023)?
At the opening of each season, a certain number of places are allocated per visa category. This number also varies by partner country. Applicants are invited (or not) to submit a complete visa application. They can accept or decline the invitation. These invitations are made during “invitation rounds”, updated weekly on the Canadian government website.
The “young professionals” and “international co-op internship” work permits require having a specific employer for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. Therefore, they are often less in demand and you therefore have a good chance of receiving an invitation after submitting your application.
For working holiday visas, the chances of being invited to apply for a full visa to work in Canada are slimmer. This visa is very popular and there are usually many more applications than visas available. Therefore, you are not guaranteed to get a place and invitations are made randomly, during draws. A part of luck therefore comes into play and you are unfortunately not guaranteed to have the opportunity to apply for a PVT Canada .
How do I find out about quotas and remaining places?
To know the quotas and remaining places for each category of permits in the EIC program, you can simply check the latest updates here
All you need to do is enter your country and the visa category you are interested in and you will obtain a publication of the latest figures updated on the Canadian government website.
Tips for preparing your job search in Canada
You now know that the PVT Canada allows you to find a job once you arrive in Canada but that for the other categories of visas for young people aged 18 to 35 you will have to organize yourself in advance. Once you have determined the visa to apply for to go and work in Canada , you will have already completed a good part of the preparation of your project. Planning a sufficient budget to support yourself for a few weeks in Canada is also essential, especially if you are leaving without a job. And as with any job search abroad, find more advice on how to best prepare for working abroad .
Finding a job in Canada: sectors that recruit PVTs
For anyone looking to work in Canada , here is a list of some of the best sectors that are often accessible with a Canadian Working Holiday Visa:
Working in the hotel and restaurant industry in Canada
The hospitality and catering sector often offers seasonal jobs in hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. Working holiday visa holders can find positions as waiters, cooks, reception staff and event managers.
Employment in tourism in Canada
Tourism is a growing sector in Canada. Working Holiday Visa holders can work in tourist attractions, travel agencies, tour companies and tour guide services.
Working in agriculture in Canada
The Canadian agriculture industry offers seasonal jobs on farms, vineyards, orchards and horticultural operations. Farm work includes fruit picking, harvesting and crop maintenance.
Working in services in Canada
There are many job opportunities available in childcare, cleaning, pet sitting or other personal services. These may be available to Working Holiday Visa holders who have little or no experience in the targeted sector.
Jobs in demand in Canada
Canada offers great job opportunities and some qualified profiles are particularly sought after. This may be the case for construction and craft trades (plumbers, electricians, mechanics, etc.), digital (web developers for example), sales or even real estate.
As you will have understood, the possibilities of living and working in Canada are flourishing and accessible with a little preparation and organization.
