Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime with a working holiday visa Canada per Italiani? The Canada Working Holiday Visa stands out as the ideal pathway for Italian citizens hoping to live and work in Canada for up to 12 months, and participating twice! During your working holiday in Canada, you’ll have the chance to earn an income, covering your living and travel expenses. Whether you’re an Italian student seeking a summer job abroad, a recent graduate, a young professional looking to take a gap year in Canada, or a keen skier looking for a ski season experience at one of B.C. & Alberta’s famous ski resorts, all the information you need is right here.
Year-round
5-12 Months
From $1,190
Italy is part of the International Experience Canada program, known as IEC. The program provides Italian citizens aged 18 to 35 with the opportunity to work in Canada. This agreement enables you to move to Canada from Italy for a duration of up to 12 months, during which you can work to support your adventures.
In 2022, Italian citizens were granted the right to participate in any IEC program twice. Previously, it was only possible to participate in IEC for only 6 months but the new agreement make it possible to enjoy up to 2 participations in the working holiday program totalling up to 24 months in Canada.
Please note that while Italian citizens qualify for 2 working holiday visas (24 months in total) these are two separate 12 months work permits, which will require a new work permit application. If you are currently in Canada and wish to stay for another year, you will need to re-apply and leave and re-enter Canada in order to activate the new working holiday visa.
To be eligible for the working holiday visa for Canada, Italian citizens must meet the following criteria:
Are you interested in making the exciting leap of moving from Italy to Canada on one of our amazing Working Holiday Programs? Working Holidays are one of the greatest ways to truly experience Canada, without ‘breaking the bank’. Moreover, you’ll gain international work experience while exploring a new country and culture. Why not get in touch so that our team can get in touch to answer all your questions?
The fee for a Canada Working Holiday Visa is around CAD $365, which is equivalent to around €250 in addition to your Stepwest Working Holiday Program fee of CAD $1,190 (€807 approx.).
Firstly, there is the IEC application fee and an open work permit fee, as well as a final collection fee for your biometrics, which is necessary for processing your Canadian visa application. The requirements are as follows:
Your biometrics are valid for 10 years so you do not have to retake them if you apply again for another working holiday visa for Canada.
Picture yourself spending your winter immersed in breathtaking mountain escapades at Canada’s premier ski resorts. Through our Ski Resort Working Holiday program, we arrange ski season employment, accommodation, visa assistance, and much more! Ski jobs are much more than a means to make a living. They represent a gateway to an unforgettable adventure! Don’t you want to spend your days carving through pristine powder, and your evenings nestled by a warm fireplace? This is more than a job; it’s a lifestyle.
Canada is an incredible winter wonderland. Pristine slops throughout the country beckon travelers from around the world, creating a most magical scene. On a ski resort working holiday, you'll be right at the center of the action, with all of Canada's best winter activities at your doorstep!
Participating in a winter working holiday program is a fantastic way to save up and see Canada in the summer months. Canada is just as lively and lovely in the summer, with so many incredibly beautiful things to see. Take some time to explore it all on an epic road trip, which you plan and save for during ski season.
The clock is ticking! In order to be eligible for a ski resort working holiday, you'll need to submit your application before the 31st of May. IEC issues a limited number of Working Holiday Visas Canada, so you'll want to start planning now.
Are you looking to spend a summer working in Canada? Our Summer Resort Working Holiday Program is tailored to individuals like yourself, pairing you with rewarding summer jobs that relate to your interests. We offer assistance in obtaining your Working Holiday Visa, and securing a job at one of Canada’s premier resorts. Moreover, our resort programs provide guaranteed staff housing and a host of additional benefits. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the excitement of exploring turquoise lakes, inspiring mountains, and surfer beaches during your time off, this is your chance! We’ll help you handle all the logistical details of getting there.
The beauty of working at a Canadian resort is that there are so many employment options available. From room attendant to pastry chef, there is something for everyone. Working a Canadian summer is a great way to earn money and build work experience in one of the most breathtaking settings you could imagine.
Canada may be famous as a winter wonderland, but the summers are alive with a magic of their own. Conquer formidable mountains and kayak across azure lakes... Canada is a haven for nature lovers, no matter the time of year. A summer resort working holiday program puts everything you could ask for at your doorstep.
If you've just participated in a Canadain winter working holiday, we wouldn't be remotely surprised if you're dying to stay on. Summer resort programs are a fantastic way to continue your adventures, giving you all the time in the world to explore your surrounding areas over two beautifully contrasting times of the year.
The minimum wage in Canada varies according to province. As of November 2023 the minimum wage in Alberta is $15 CAD (€10.18)/hour and in British Columbia, it is $17.40 CAD (€11.81) from June 1, 2024.
In Canada, payments are typically made bi-weekly (every two weeks). Moreover, if you’re enrolled in our Working Holiday Resort Programs, we assist you in finding jobs with staff housing. This way, your rent will be deducted directly from your paycheck, saving you the hassle of making monthly payments. Additionally, ski resort jobs are generally full-time positions, so you can expect to earn at least $2,300 CAD (€1,588). This is rather enticing when considering that the average low salary in Italy is around €1,150, or (on average) €7-9 per hour.
Working a ski resort job in Canada is a truly fantastic way to discover a new country while earning a decent salary. This gives you a chance to save, an opportunity to gain international work experience, and a unique opportunity to live life in Canada in a fully immersive way.
Holders of the Working Holiday visa are subject to the same income tax rates as Canadian citizens. For detailed information on taxes in Canada, we recommend visiting our preferred website. This resource includes a tool that allows you to compare the tax rates between Italy and Canada.
It’s worth noting that with proper tax filing, working holiday visa holders may be eligible for an average refund of $1,000 CAD. Explore our blog post on how to file taxes as a working holidaymaker for further insights.
Unlike some other countries in Europe, Italy enforces a residency requirement for participation in the program. It’s essential to pay attention to this requirement, as any oversight may lead to a denial from the Immigration Officer, stating:
“It has been determined that you do not currently reside in Italy.”
If you are temporarily residing outside of Italy, you are still eligible to apply. As long as your permanent address is in Italy, you can apply for any of the three IEC work permits.
However, if you hold an Italian passport but have never lived in Italy, you will not qualify for any IEC working holiday visa.
Yes, biometrics can be completed from anywhere in the world. You are not obligated to conduct them in Rome. The location where you complete your biometrics will not affect your residency requirements, as long as your permanent residency is in Italy. Do you have more questions about biometrics? Check out our post on Canada’s biometrics requirement for working holiday visa applications.
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.
Yes! Italian citizens aged 18 to 35 can work in Canada through the International Experience Canada program for a period of 12 months at a time. The program offers three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professional, and International Co-Op permit. Participants can spend up to 24 months in Canada, but they will need two separate visas to do so.Â
Up to 24 months. Italian citizens participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday program can typically stay in Canada for up to 12 months, with the possibility of attending a second working holiday for an additional 12 months.
Not that many! And we can help you with the whole process.
The only 3 documents you will need to request are the following ones:
Yes, after the new agreement took place as of November 1, 2022, Italian citizens can apply twice under IEC and repeat category is allowed, so that means that you can get a second working holiday and this time for up to 12 months.
No, you must prove that you live in Italy. This means you must provide a residential or mailing address in Italy, plus a residence certificate (certificato di residenza). There is no way around this requirement.
No, you must prove that you are currently a permanent resident in Italy through the Certificato di Residenza.Â
Each year the number of work permits available for Italy can change, but as of IEC 2024 Season, there are a total of 1,750 visas available for the complete year! Don’t wait, secure yours today as Canada will give you up to 12 months to decide when you want to enter Canada.