Canadians Applying for a Working Holiday Visa


If you're a Canadian citizen, between the age of 18 to 30 - 35, you have an exciting opportunity to travel and work for 12 or 24 months in a number of different countries around the world. 

While this focuses on the application process for the UK specifically, you can view all of the eligible countries, their visa requirements and application processes on Canada.ca's website under International Experience Canada.   

Each country has different age requirements (either maximum age 30, or 35)
Visa lengths are either 12 or 24 months
Some countries allow you to re-enter the country on a different type of visa

Things to keep in mind when applying for a working holiday visa:

When can you apply?
How much the visa is, and other associated costs for the application
The specific type of visa needed
Do you need travel insurance, flight details and/or a registered address?
Application processes and wait times
After arriving, are there any documents to be picked up or additional appointments to be made? 


The UK's Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa Application Process

        1  Start the Application   

    The Working Holiday visa in the UK is called the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa and applications can be made online a minimum of 3 months prior the date of entry (of which you choose). 

    The UK government's website has more information, and a link to the application. 

                                                                                                                                                                  2 Payment      

    The visa application itself is about $500, and you are also required to pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which is another $500. 

    The application will provide you with the link in order to pay for this surcharge. They will not accept Canadian dollars, so exchange rates and bank fees will apply. 

    The IHS will allow you to register with a doctor, or general practitioner (GP), and book appointments with the NHS healthcare system. 

    Some costs won't be covered by this surcharge (prescription drugs, for example), and this is where your optional travel insurance will come in handy. 

        3 Make an Appointment

    The application will ask where you want to pick up your Residence Permit card, so you must have a general idea of where you'll be staying/living while in the UK. You will be able to select a specific Post Office location. 

    You don't need to provide a proof of address or flight details, as I was approved with neither of these. 

    Once you complete the application and pay all of the fees, you must make an appointment at a Canadian VFS Global office in order to finalize your application (the gov.uk website leads you in how to make that appointment). 

    This appointment involves getting your fingerprints scanned (biometrics) and your picture taken for your Residence Permit card (which you must pick up at the selected Post Office location you specified in your application. 

    Additional documents you must bring with you are:
    • Your bank statement with proof of a minimum amount of funds set out by the UK
    • Your passport
    ***You cannot bring a laptop, or any electronic recording devices, into your visa appointment.***

                                                                                                                                                                        4 Travel

    After your application is returned and approved, you're ready to start your adventure in the UK. Upon arrival, you have 10 days to pick up your residence permit card at the Post Office you selected.

    You also must register for a National Insurance Number (NI Number) in order to work in the UK. You can complete the appointment form online, and you will be contacted. 

    This is a very simple summary of the visa application process as I experienced it, so the main tasks are outlined here, but people may experience different things. Good Luck with your application in any case!

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