Paid Work in Canada
Work, live, travel Canada!
Book now for £49
Prices from
£429
429Group Size: n/a
Trip code: PWIC
Duration: Up to 24 months
With vibrant cities, wild and beautiful scenery, and a laidback attitude, Canada has it all. A diverse job market, and great work-life balance make it the perfect place to find a job, and working while you travel is the ideal way to explore without breaking the bank. This comprehensive working holiday programme offers you all the support you need to start a new life in this spectacular country. Our in-country jobs team are on hand throughout your stay to help with everything from crafting your Canadian CV, income tax, and healthcare to one-on-one interview practice and job-hunting tips. You’ll have up to 2 years’ access to our exclusive Canada-wide job database with loads of new opportunities added daily, so you can rest assured that you’ll find your perfect job. With our welcoming hosting centres and tons of included social events you’ll have your own Canadian community from the word go. Just choose Vancouver or Toronto as your base and get ready for the time of your life!
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy up to 2 years’ support from our local jobs team with interview advice, CV tips, and help finding accommodation
- Get prepared before you go with our virtual pre-departure orientation session
- Find your dream Canadian job with access to our exclusive country-wide job database, with new jobs added daily
- Hang out at our hosting centres where you can use our office equipment, get job advice, and meet other job seekers over a cuppa
- Meet loads of like-minded travellers at our included social activities from hockey games and hikes to canoe trips, and pub nights
Still deciding? Still deciding where to go?
Get your free Gap 360 travel brochure - Download or delivered straight to your door
The programme
We have hosting centres for our travellers in the city of Vancouver and Toronto and this is where we recommend you start your trip. Alternatively we can start your included 3 nights accommodation in either Calgary or Montreal and you can contact the hosting centres online instead. The programme is completely unique to you, there's no itinerary, so you'll have total freedom to tailor your perfect trip.
We’ll set you up with everything you need to find work and accommodation. Our support starts before you’ve even left home, with a virtual pre-departure orientation session covering everything from entry requirements to what to pack.
On arrival in Canada, you’ll have a 90-minute orientation meeting in one of our hosting centres (or online if you choose to start in Calgary or Montreal). We’ll talk you through how to apply for your social insurance number, bank account, and phone plan, as well as how to secure housing, Canadian CV formats, job tips, income tax, and healthcare. You’ll also be given access to our exclusive Canada-wide job database with tons of new opportunities added daily.
Our friendly in-country team will be on hand throughout your stay and can offer personalised support (in person in our Vancouver and Toronto hosting centres, or by phone or email) in everything from crafting your CV and cover letter to one-on-one interview practice.
In summary, the programme includes:
- Comprehensive pre-departure guide
- Virtual pre-departure orientation session.
- 90-minute arrival orientation
- Access to our massive Canada-wide job database
- Ongoing support from in-country team
- Access to hosting centres
- Job search advice
- Interview tips & tricks
- 1-to-1 practice interviews
- Customised CV and cover letter review
- Monthly newsletters with jobs & seasonal updates
- Canadian mailing address, mail holding, and free Canada-wide letter forwarding
- Assistance with taxes & paperwork
- Assistance finding accommodation
- Annual seminars on tax & immigration
- Access to working in Canada online community
- Free SIM card (optional)
Types of jobs
Our teams in Vancouver and Toronto are experts in all things Canada and are the best port of call to find you that perfect work placement – whether you’re looking for seasonal work, flexible hours, or something in a specific industry.
Most jobs in Canada offer decent wages, flexible hours, and other benefits depending on the role – which might include tips or staff accommodation. Nearly all job fields are open to those on a Working Holiday Visa, but the most common areas are casual roles in hospitality, retail, and tourism. Childcare and healthcare fields are prohibited to those on working holidays (with the exception of ski/snowboard instruction and camp jobs).
Social events & free time
Of course, it’s not only about working. You’re here to meet new friends, explore Canada, and generally have an awesome time too! As part of your package, we offer monthly social events (from hockey games and hikes, to canoe trips, and pub nights), as well as monthly walking tours in Vancouver and Toronto from June to September. Our hosting centres are also great places to hook up with like-minded travellers.
Travel
Make the most of your time in this gorgeous place by covering as much ground as possible – whether you've got a couple of days each week to explore your local area, or plan to work your way from east coast to west. We've got some great tours that could help you make your time here count. Check out our Canada trips page for some inspiration.
Did you know there are also other paid work programmes where the visa rules are not as strict? Check out our Paid Work page for information about other destinations.
The prices will load here automatically, if this does not happen for you: Click here to view Prices
Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Depending on the city you've chosen to begin your adventure in, you'll need to arrange flights to arrive at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on your programme start date. Airport transfers are not included but it is really easy to make your own way to the city centre hostels using taxis or public transport.
When you land, be sure to tell the customs officer that you’re there with a work permit. They will direct you to a Border Services Officer who will review your documents and issue your work permit. Be prepared to show:
- Your passport
- Port of Entry Letter
- Proof of funds
- Proof of health insurance
- A departure ticket or proof of funds to purchase a ticket
- Copies of the documents you provided in your work permit application
Please note, you can also start your trip in Calgary or Montreal, please speak to a travel advisor for more details.
We include your first 3 nights of accommodation upon arrival into Canada. Both our hostels in Vancouver and Toronto are clean, safe, and comfortable, and are set in fun and lively areas in the heart of each city. You'll share a dorm with up to five other travellers, you'll have your own locker, and access to shared bathrooms, a shared kitchen and common room, laundry facilities, and free Wifi. If you wish to arrive into Calgary or Montreal, we can arrange 3 nights of accommodation at these locations instead, but please note that our hosting centres are only in Vancouver and Toronto.
We recommend that before you arrive in Canada you book a few nights to a week of short-term accommodation for after your included 3 nights. As you’re planning to live and work in Canada, you’ll want to arrange long-term accommodation beyond the first few days. Our recommendation is that you wait until you arrive in Canada before seeking a long-term stay, so that you can meet the other travellers (potential roomies!) get to know the area and see rentals in person.
Most rentals become available at the start of the month on either fixed term leases of 6 months to a year, or month-to-month terms. Most properties come unfurnished (with the exception of some short-term rentals), but it’s easy to pick up second-hand furniture cheaply through Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores. Our team members are super-knowledgeable about the local housing market and will be more than happy to help you in your accommodation search.
Meals aren't provided during this programme, so you'll have a fantastic opportunity to try out the local cuisine – which is awesome, by the way. From poutine, to smoked meat, butter tarts to warming fish chowder, Canadians know what they're doing with food, so have fun trying as much of it as you can.
If you’re 18 to 35 you can work in Canada through International Experience Canada (IEC) but you’ll need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa before you travel.
To be eligible you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid UK passport with British citizenship or a valid Channel Islands passport
- Be between the ages of 18 – 35 (inclusive)
- Have a minimum of CAN$2,500 (although we’d recommend more – see our FAQs)
- Have health insurance for the duration of your stay
- Have a round-trip ticket or be able to show that you have the resources to buy a departure ticket
- Have no dependents
- Have no criminal convictions
It’s important to note that application is not a guarantee that you’ll be granted a visa. Canadian immigration has a set quota of visas that are available each year and applicants are selected at random from a pool. The process is quite lengthy and is a lottery type system, so you may need to wait up to a year to find out whether you’ve been successful. There are several rounds of invitations each season (dates are announced on the Canadian Government’s website ongoing).
The application is a three-step process:
- Check you’re eligible and apply online: Check you meet the eligibility criteria using the IEC questionnaire. Then create and submit an online IEC profile to become a candidate.
- Get invited to apply: If you’re invited to apply (applications are selected at random), you’ll get a message in your IEC account explaining next steps. You’ll have 10 days to accept the invitation. If you’re not invited to apply, you can stay in the IEC pool until all profiles are removed from the pools at the end of the season, or you’re no longer eligible.
- Apply for a work permit: Once you’ve accepted your invitation to apply, you’ll have 20 days to submit your work permit application including supporting documents (these may include proof of education, work history, medical exams, CVs, family information and proof of residency). You’ll also need to pay your fees. Please note, the date and time of your application deadline is in coordinated universal time (UTC), which may be different than your local time.
We cannot apply on your behalf but are happy to provide guidance on navigating the application system. Once you’ve placed your non-refundable deposit to provisionally secure your space on your chosen start date, we’ll send you a visa guidance pack, and our travel advisors are on hand if you need any advice on your application.
Because visas are not guaranteed, we recommend that you initially place your £49 non-refundable deposit to secure your space on our trip, but that you do not pay your final balance until your visa is granted.
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Please note: Visa rules and fees are subject to change. You should check with the relevant embassies before travelling.
Booking Process
If you'd like further help and guidance to apply for your Working Holiday Visa, you'll receive an information pack from us once you've paid your £49 trip deposit. Please note, this does not guarantee you a visa or count towards any of the cost of your visa. Programme deposits are non-refundable.
1. Put down your £49 non-refundable deposit to provisionally secure your space on your chosen start date and receive your visa guidance pack
2. Apply for your Working Holiday Visa in Canada directly with Canadian Immigration
3. Once your visa is granted let us know, pay your final balance and we will make the final arrangements for your package in Canada on your chosen start date
4. Head out to Canada!
Want to check who's booked on your start date? Request the demographics here >