If you’re an Austrian looking to apply for a working holiday visa for Canada but are finding the whole process confusing, you’ve come to the right place. International Experience Canada (IEC) started offering the Working Holiday work permit for Austrians back in 2018. The agreement between Austria and Canada is way different than other IEC countries, so before applying for any of the categories, make sure you read the information here, we are confident we will help you understand it!
The IEC Working Holiday permit allows Austrians between the age of 18 and 30 to live and work in Canada for up to 12 months under an open work permit. Only the IEC work permit categories for Internships and Young Professionals have a limit of 35 years old and there are very specific requirements for Austrian citizens for these categories, so check the details in this blog post!
In order to apply for a working holiday visa in Canada as an Austrian, you will need to have the following:
As of IEC 2024 Season, the amount of working holiday permits available was 168 spots for Austrian citizens and the pool for the category working holiday.
Remember if you are applying for the working holiday work permit category you don’t have to be a resident in Austria at the time of applying.
You can complete your Biometrics in Vienna, but NOT at the Canadian embassy but at the Biometrics Center located at the following address: Am Stadtpark 1, Office Top M2.1.24-25, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
It is very important that you make an appointment in advance – The center in Vienna is a very popular one as it is used for those IEC applicants located in the south of Germany, north of Italy and some countries like the Czech Republic or Slovakia, as there are no centers in those countries. For that reason make sure to book your appointment so you know you will be helped!
If you are travelling, no worries, you can use any VFS Authorized Center in the world!
The most accessible work permit of all if you are under 31 years old!
Open to all Canada and no residency requirements, you can apply from all over the world and you can work anywhere in Canada for up to 12 months!
If you are from Austria and want to apply for the easiest work permit for Canada, this is your choice! The Working Holiday category works exactly like this work permit category for any other IEC country, so the only thing you must keep in mind is that you must apply before your 31st birthday to be eligible!
This work permit requires you to secure a job under TEER 0,1, 2 or 3 but the applicant must be permanently employed by an Austrian company and planning to come to Canada to work with a partner, parent or subsidiary company in Canada
So as you can see is not a regular Young Professional category as for other countries with agreement under IEC.
As the work permit is so specific with the requirements you will find only 10 visas available per year for Austrian citizens.
Same situation, a very specific visa, but for example during IEC 2024 there were only 2 visas available for the whole country.
Requirements:
We are a Recognized Organization by the Government of Canada, under its International Experience Canada program. We have been running our programs since 2010 and most of us are also internationals who came to Canada under IEC programs – so we know exactly what it feels like being an international travelling to Canada! We are here to help and support you every step of the way, from work permit applications to job interviews and everything in between.
6 - 24 Months
CAD $1190
Our Winter Resort Working Holiday program provides a great opportunity to secure employment before you arrive in Canada. Partnered with top Canadian ski resorts, we assist in job placement and guarantee staff accommodation while you're still in your home country.
6 - 24 Months
$1190
Our summer resort program is perfect for experiencing the beauty of a Canadian summer firsthand. With various job opportunities, you can earn income while immersing yourself in Canada's wonders. Plus, you can even extend your stay for the winter season if you choose!
12 Months
CAD $490
Our Canada Send Off Package helps you obtain your Working Holiday Visa, marking the start of an exciting journey. While job placement isn't included, it's a great way to begin your return to Canada affordably.
Are you interested in learning more about applying for the working holiday visa for Canada as an Austrian citizen? Book a free consultation with us and we’ll help you start planning the trip of a lifetime!
No, you can only complete your biometrics after you receive a request from the Government of Canada. This is the last step of your work permit application after you’ve submitted your documents and paid your fees.
No, if you are applying for the working holiday work permit category you don’t have to be a resident in Austria at the time of applying. Please keep in mind that this does not apply to the International Co-Op or internship category.
From 18 to 30 years old (included) for the Working Holiday, so this means that if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for your working holiday in Canada before your 31st Birthday, you will still be eligible to apply!
No, that is a very specific requirement only for the Young Professional work permit category, not for the working holiday visa, this is an open work permit so you are free to work anywhere in Canada for any company!
No! To apply for a working holiday permit in Canada, no English or French is a requirement or a specific exam. Of course, the better your communication skills, the higher chances of getting a job in Canada. For example, for our Resort Programs we require at least an Intermediate level of english to be accepted.
The number can change depending on the IEC Season, but as per IEC 2024 Season there have been 168 spots available for Austrian citizens
This is a requirement for when you travel to Canada to activate your working holiday permit, you must present at least CAD 2,500 this is around 1,800 euros in a savings account!
Yes, for any IEC participant. In order to get a working holiday permit upon arrival to Canada, you must show you have at least 12 months of insurance, so you can get a one-year work permit.
Please learn everything about IEC insurance requirements here. This is very important!
Insurance must be valid for the entire period for which the work permit is sought. Participants can present two consecutive healthcare insurance policies if they were not able to purchase one policy to cover the entire length of their work permit.
Yes, you could have had a working holiday permit for any other country and you can still apply for a Working Holiday Canada as long as you match the requirements. Remember that if you have lived in any other country for 6 months or more, Canada will require you to present a Police Certificate from that country where you completed that previous Working holiday experience!
A total of approximately € 250 (CAD 370) – payable to the government of Canada online for them to receive your work permit application!
Yes, International Experience Canada (IEC) was active from 2018 where Canada started to allow Austrians between 18 and 30 years old to work in Canada for up to 12 months!
Through a Recognized Organization (RO) like us – you can find all the information about this program here: https://www.stepwest.com/programs/iec-ro/
Please note that the RO program is very competitive and you will need to plan way in advance to secure your place!
In this post, we explain how to get set up with a job in Whistler that offers accommodation. Employers that provide accommodation save you from the hardest part of beginning your working holiday in Whistler; finding somewhere to live.
Learn everything you need to know to work in Canada during Summer 2025 and how you extend your stay to enjoy the Winter Season 2025/2026 - Enjoy all the advantages of coming early for a Summer Working Holiday.