Vancouver Working Holiday

Combine cosmopolitan city life with some of Canada’s best wilderness on our Vancouver Working Holiday program. Kick-start your adventure with a guaranteed working holiday job in Vancouver, with tons of support from our Vancouver-based team — you’ll be living like a local in no time!

Start Dates

Year-round

Duration

4 — 24 months

Cost

From C$1,190

Program Overview

What makes the perfect city? Bars and restaurants? Music? Film? Beaches? Mountains? Skiing? There’s a reason Vancouver is consistently ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world. This thriving, multicultural city sits on the doorstep of Canada’s Great Wilderness, giving residents the best of both worlds.

You’ll have the opportunity to find a working holiday job in Vancouver that suits your goals – whether you want to get experience for your future career, earn good wages (and great tips) working as a server in a popular restaurant, or try something new.

As for life in the city? Vancouver has a mild climate (no blood-freezing winters here), is easy to get around (great public transport, cycle-friendly), and boasts a top-notch foodie scene.

What’s Included

Pre-Departure

  • Working Holiday visa assistance
  • Consultation to fully understand your goals in Canada and how we can help you!
  • Resume preparation
  • Assistance with travel insurance
  • Assistance finding housing in Vancouver
  • Pre-departure orientation

Upon Arrival

  • When you land in Canada, the process through immigration will be a breeze after we prep you for what is needed to receive your open work permit
  • Interview preparation workshop workshop
  • In-person job interviews in Vancouver
  • Guaranteed job
  • Assistance setting up your free bank account, SIN, Canadian phone number and more!

The Fun Stuff!

  • Live and work in one of the world’s most liveable cities!
  • Earn money (C$15.20/hour upwards!) working full-time to support your adventures in your free time
  • Where else in the world where you can swim off the beach and ski in the mountains on the same day? Take advantage!

What’s Not Included

Flights, medical insurance, IEC visa and/or work permit application fees, local transportation, food and accommodation.

What Will I Do?

Participants of our program are guaranteed a working holiday job in Vancouver that suits their needs. Our team specializes in securing positions with employers that will help our participants to have their best work experience in Vancouver. We review and assess each of our host companies in the city, so we know you will be working for a good employer in Vancouver. We want you to make the most of your experience in Vancouver in a job you truly enjoy!

Positions May Include:

  • Barista
  • Food Counter Attendant
  • Host/Hostess
  • Busser
  • Food Runner
  • Banquet Server
  • Bartender
  • Bar Back
  • Retail Sales Associate
  • Rental Agent
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Grocery Store Clerk
  • Cashier
  • Product Stocker
  • Bicycle Rental
  • Technician
  • Kitchen Steward
  • Prep Cook
  • Line Cook
  • Cook/Commis
  • Sous Chef
  • Chef de Partie
  • Pastry Chef
  • Pastry Cook
  • Hotel Room Attendant
  • Hotel Laundry Attendant
  • Hotel Front Desk Agent
  • Bell Staff
  • Concierge
  • …and so much more!

Let’s Get Started!

You can start this program at any time of the year, so you can start planning today!

Our working holiday programs are open to International Experience Canada (IEC) countries for a duration of 12 months, or 24 months for certain countries. Please check our Eligibility page to see if you are eligible to apply for your working holiday visa.

Want More?

Summer Working Holiday

On our Summer Working Holiday program, land a summer resort job in Canada’s most beautiful destinations; spending time off exploring turquoise lakes, mountains, surfer beaches and tons more!

Ski Working Holiday

Imagine spending your winter days off experiencing mind-blowing mountain adventures in Canada’s best ski resorts. We’ll secure you a ski season job in Canada with accommodation - before you arrive!

Optional Services

We want you to arrive in Canada stress-free and fully prepared. We offer things like tax returns, English study and medical insurance, so that you can arrive in Canada ready to hit the ground running.

FAQs

Is the Vancouver Working Holiday program available all year round?

Yes. If you are planning on travelling at a certain time, we will of course recommend the best timings for job openings, but Vancouver is such a vibrant city that there are opportunities all year round!

Is getting a job in Vancouver easy?

Vancouver has a diverse and growing economy, with job opportunities in a range of industries. However, much like any other international city, you will need to apply for jobs and pass an interview. Luckily, we can help you with that! From resume revisions to interview preperation, we will set you up for success so that you can nail your interview and land your first job, so you can start making money sooner!

What working holiday jobs are available in Vancouver?

Most working holiday jobs tend to be in the fields of travel and tourism, hospitality, retail and customer service. During your free consultation, we will get to understand more about your experience, studies, English level and work goals. We can help you get a job as soon as you arrive so that you can start earning money from the get-go, then, once you’re settled you can focus on getting a job suited to your long-term goals.

What is the average salary in Vancouver?

The minimum wage salary is CAD$15.20 per hour in British Columbia. Your starting salary will fully depend on the employer, your previous work experience and communication skills. Even if you get started on this wage, it does not mean that you will stay on it – there is so much room for growth in Canada. Don’t forget that your work permit is open, so after getting some work experience in Canada and becoming more confident in the city, you could get a promotion or find a role more aligned with your career goals.

Can I get a job in Vancouver before I move to Canada?

Our placement team will organize interviews for your arrival, so if your first interview is successful you could be working within your first week in Vancouver! We can not find a position before you travel to Canada, as Vancouver is such a dynamic city that employers want to meet applicants in person.

Is my job in Vancouver guaranteed? How many hours will I work?

Yes, we will be with you until you get an offer of employment. Normally employers are able to offer between 35-40 hours per week, so you will be working full-time in Vancouver.

Can I choose the companies in Vancouver I want to work for?

The application process is exactly the same as in other countries, so you will need to pass an interview first.

Am I only allowed to work for one employer in Vancouver?

No! Your visa is not attached to a single employer, so you can work for different companies throughout your stay in Canada. The possibilities are endless!

How easy is it to commute in Vancouver without having a car?`

Very easy. Vancouver has a great public transport system and is very cycle friendly, so you do not need to have a car to be able to go to work.

Will Stepwest support my arrival and find accommodation?

Yes, we can help! Before you travel to Canada you will be in touch with our travel coordinators to arrange everything you need to settle in Vancouver. From housing to getting your SIN, opening a bank account and getting your compass card, we will make sure you are fully prepared to start your new journey in Vancouver!

Is it expensive to live in Vancouver?

We’re not going to sugarcoat it, Vancouver can be expensive to live in. it is one one the world’s most livable cities, after all. That being said, you don’t need to break the bank to live in Vancouver! There are some easy life hacks that will save you money while letting you experience Vancouver in all its glory, from taking advantage of happy hour to grocery shopping at markets and buying your gear off Facebook Marketplace (it’s a thing here). As for rent, check out our guide on how to rent in Vancouver.

Can I stay in Canada after my working holiday visa expires?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime permit. Depending on your country, the permit will be for 12 or 24 months. An IEC permit can not be extended, so if you want to stay longer you need to start planning early.

Normally our participants check study and work options as the easiest option, or will hire a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). This is an authorized immigration and citizenship representative who will evaluate your possibilities in Canada.