Visa & Eligibility Guide

Key Facts

Duration

Up to 2 years

Work rights

Full-time employment permitted

Age range

18–35

Visa fee

£340 + healthcare surcharge

Savings required

£2,530 minimum

Apply via

gov.uk

Eligibility Requirements

• Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport
• Aged 18–35 at the time of application
• Have at least £2,530 in savings (held for 28 consecutive days before applying)
• Not accompanied by dependent children
• Meet the eligibility criteria set by the UK government for the current application cycle

How to Apply

1. 1

   Check the current application process

   Application processes and quotas are determined annually by the UK government and may vary by year. Check the latest Youth Mobility Scheme guidance at gov.uk before taking any steps, as the process for your intended travel year may differ from previous cycles.

2. 2

   Complete the online application

   Apply online via the UK Visas and Immigration portal at gov.uk. You will need your passport, proof of savings, and a recent photograph.

3. 3

   Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge

   The visa application fee is £340. You will also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £776 per year), giving you access to NHS healthcare during your stay.

4. 4

   Attend a biometric appointment

   You will need to provide your fingerprints and photograph at a Visa Application Centre in Canada.

5. 5

   Await your decision — do not book non-refundable travel

   Visa processing times vary. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you have received formal approval. Once approved, you will receive a vignette sticker in your passport and must travel to the UK within 6 months of the visa start date.

Key Facts

Duration

Up to 2 years

Work rights

Open work permit — any employer

Age range

18–35

Application fee

CA$156 + biometrics CA$85

Savings required

CA$2,500 minimum

Apply via

canada.ca

Eligibility Requirements

• British citizen with a valid UK passport
• Aged 18–35 at the time of application
• Have at least CA$2,500 in savings
• Hold comprehensive health and travel insurance covering your entire intended stay in Canada. Note: border officers may limit the duration of your work permit if your insurance does not cover the full length of stay.
• Meet the participation eligibility criteria under the current UK–Canada Youth Mobility Agreement. Participation limits have evolved over time — verify your eligibility with IRCC before applying.

How to Apply

1. 1

   Create a profile on IRCC

   Register on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal and create a profile for the IEC Working Holiday pool. Pools open seasonally — typically from late autumn.

2. 2

   Enter the pool — an invitation is not guaranteed

   Once your profile is active, you enter the pool. Invitations to apply (ITAs) are issued on a rolling basis by IRCC. Selection is not guaranteed and depends on the number of invitations issued for your nationality in a given cycle. You may receive an invitation within days or it may take several weeks.

3. 3

   Accept your invitation and apply

   You have 10 days to accept your ITA and 20 days to submit your full application online via the IRCC portal. You will need your passport, proof of funds, and travel insurance details.

4. 4

   Pay the application fee

   The IEC participation fee is CA$156. You will also pay a biometrics fee of CA$85 if you have not provided biometrics to Canada in the past 10 years.

5. 5

   Provide biometrics

   Attend a biometric collection appointment at a Visa Application Centre in the UK. Locations include London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

6. 6

   Receive your Port of Entry letter and travel

   Once approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter of introduction. Present this at the Canadian border on arrival, where a border officer will issue your open work permit. Ensure your travel insurance covers your full intended stay, as this affects the permit duration issued at the border.