Welcome to the world of the working holiday visa Canada. A Working Holiday Canada presents a golden opportunity for Spanish citizens to immerse themselves in Canadian culture. Additionally, you’ll be earning money and exploring the vast landscapes of this magnificent country! If you’re a Spanish citizen between the ages of 18 and 35, the possibilities are endless!Â
Year-round
5-12 Months
From $490
Eligibility for the working holiday visa Canada entails meeting certain criteria:
Spain’s inclusion in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program opens doors for Spanish citizens aged 18 to 35 to live and work in Canada for up to 24 months. This bilateral agreement fosters cultural exchange and personal growth while offering a chance to contribute to the Canadian workforce.
In 2009, Spanish citizens were granted the privilege of participating in the IEC program twice, extending their Canadian adventure up to 24 months. However, it’s important to clarify that repeat participation is not allowed under regular IEC for Spanish citizens. Instead, applicants must select two separate visa types from the following options:
It is worth bearing in mind that there are 800 Working Holiday visas for Spain. However, this may be subject to change during the IEC season (2024 has already been bumped up to 875 working holiday visas for Spanish citizens!). Additionally, Spanish nationals must adhere to a three-month discontinuation requirement. This entails waiting for a period of three months after the expiration of their initial IEC permit before they are eligible to apply for a new IEC work permit.
No, you don’t need to be entirely fluent, but a basic command of the English language is important for job hunting! Moreover, it’s important for connecting with your colleagues, and communicating with us! A working holiday in Canada is a great way to improve your English, so don’t worry if it isn’t perfect! If you feel like you could use some practice, check out our article: How to Improve Your English for a Working Holiday in Canada.
Are you ready to take the plunge and embark on a Canadian working holiday adventure? Our programs offer an affordable and enriching way to experience all that Canada has to offer while gaining valuable international work experience and practicing your English. Reach out to our team today to have all your questions answered and start planning your Canadian adventure!
The expenses related to obtaining a Canada Working Holiday Visa include:
Additionally, Stepwest’s Working Holiday Program fee amounts to CAD $1,190 (€815 approx.). Your biometrics remain valid for 10 years, meaning they won’t need to be re-done if you apply for another working holiday visa in the future.
Canada beckons with its stunning collection of outdoor activities. You can get involved in everything from hiking and mountain biking, to Kayaking, camping, and more!
Forge lasting friendships and immerse yourself in Canadian culture while earning a competitive wage (CAD$15/hour upwards). You'll get to ebrace communal living, explore stunning landscapes, and do it all with amazing people!
Encounter Canada's diverse wildlife—from black bears and moose to wolves and grizzlies (from a safe distance, of course)!
Envision spending your winter amidst the breathtaking mountain landscapes of Canada’s premier ski resorts! Our Ski Resort Working Holiday program guarantees employment, staff housing or accommodation, visa assistance, and more. Moreover, a ski resort working holiday is a truly fantastic way to embrace Canada. We are connected with many of the top ski resorts Canada has to offer, with a great diversity of employment options.
Please bear in mind that applications for the 2024/2025 Winter Ski Season should be submitted before 31 May 2024, when applications close!
If you’re someone who prefers the sunshine, our Summer Resort Working Holiday Program matches you with fulfilling summer jobs and ensures a seamless transition to life in Canada’s scenic locales. In fact, there are all sorts of positions you can work on a summer working holiday! Plus, the sunny weather opens the door to a world of exciting activities. Dive into turquoise lakes, conquer mountains, and soak in the beauty of Canadian summers!
If you’re looking to start planning your Canada Summer Resort Working Holiday then consider applying as early as July 2024 – February 2025 for the 2025 Summer season. Applications close in March for summer 2025.
In Canada, minimum wages vary by province. For instance, Alberta’s minimum wage stands at $15 CAD /hour, while in British Columbia, it’s $16.75 CAD/hour. However, British Columbia’s minimum wage will rise to $17.40 CAD on June 1, 2024.
Typically, payments occur bi-weekly. If you’re part of our Working Holiday Resort Programs, we help you secure jobs with staff housing. This means your rent gets deducted directly from your pay-check, eliminating the need for monthly payments.
Working at a Canadian ski resort offers an exciting chance to explore a new country, earn a solid income, and gain valuable international work experience. It’s an immersive way to experience life in Canada while building your savings.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and start planning your Canada Summer / Winter Resort Working Holiday Program then get in touch with a member of our team now and we will get back to you ASAP!
If you’re looking to move to one of Canada’s famous cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal etc, for your working holiday adventure, then consider our Send-Off package. We’ll assist you with everything you need to get ready for your Canada Working Holiday Adventure! Our team is here to assist you to make sure you know how to get started to secure your working holiday visa. Also to support you with resume revision, helping to ensure that you’re seen by Canadian employers upon arrival. Moreover, we offer a complete pre-departure orientation so you know what to expect upon arrival in Canada to get your work permit, stress free!. We’ll even help you set up your free bank account and organize your social insurance number (SIN).
For Only $490 CAD, let us take the stress away from your Working Holiday Canada Visa application process so you can focus on the fun stuff! Applications for our Canada Working Holiday Send-Off Package are open year-round so start planning your adventure now!
Diving into the Canadian experience with Stepwest offers Spanish citizens a chance for personal growth, career advancement, and loads of unforgettable moments. Whether you’re eager to hit the slopes of western Canada with our winter resort program, soak up the summer vibes in our Summer resort program, or kickstart and streamline your journey with our send-off package, we’re here to make your transition smooth and exciting. With Stepwest by your side, get ready for an adventure like no other in Canada. ¡Bienvenidos a Canadá!
Biometrics can be completed from anywhere in the world, so don’t worry if you’re currently travelling and don’t have them yet! It is also worth keeping in mind, however, that in Spain, biometrics can ONLY be done in Madrid. If you live anywhere else, Barcelona, Cadiz, Lugo, etc., you’ll need to plan a trip to Madrid to sort them out. Check out our post on Canada’s biometrics requirement for working holiday visa applications.
The important thing to note here is the difference between a visa and a work permit. Spanish citizens must have a valid eTA (electronic travel authorization) to fly to Canada, but in order to work in Canada, you must have a work permit. Your work permit is your Working Holiday visa (IEC).
The eTA allows you to board a plane to Canada and enter the country for up to 6 months as a visitor. Additionally, please note that this does not allow you to work in Canada. The Working Holiday, however, will allow you to work in Canada and to stay in the country for up to 12 months
Yes, as long as you can prove that you still have a mailing address in Spain.
Example: You are a Spanish citizen doing an Erasmus exchange in Germany, as long as you can show Canada and provide your Spanish address where you call home and you have your permanent residence, you will be fine!
No. Unfortunately, Canada requires that Spanish citizens must prove they have a permanent residency in Spain. To do this, you must provide a mailing address in Spain. Additionally, your resume must show that you have lived in Spain before.
No, a Police Certificate from Spain is not necessary for Spanish citizens.
However, if you have lived in any other country for 6 months or more, you will need to present a police certificate from the country you have been staying in.
There are no specific requirements for the approval of your working holiday permit application. However, upon arrival in Canada, it is necessary to demonstrate possession of at least CAD 2,500 (€1,800 approx.). With this in mind, it’s reassuring to note that you are not restricted to presenting funds solely in Canadian dollars; you can provide a bank statement from your home country in euros.
Only once – As Spanish citizen you can get a Working Holiday permit under the regular IEC agreement (International Experience Canada) only once, but you might still be eligible for a Second Participation under a different work permit category, like the Young Professional. Please note that Spain has a 3 months discountenance requirement between IEC permits.
You could participate under the Working Holiday work permit category again going through a Recognized Organization.
As long as there are openings, you can apply to become a candidate! Typically, we advise applying as soon as the IEC season opens for the year, usually between December and January.
For instance, during the IEC 2024 season, invitations to apply (ITA) began on January 8th, 2024. You can check the current availability of spots at this link.
The 2025 ski season is shaping up to be the best yet; travel restrictions have lifted, ski season jobs are in plentiful supply and incredible winter activities await. Interested? Read on to discover how to work a ski season in Canada.
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.