Updated: May 2022
Are you a Portuguese citizen planning to apply for the Canada Working Holiday Visa? Congrats, you’re about to embark on an exciting journey! In this post, we break down everything you need to know as a Portuguese passport holder applying for the Canada Working Holiday Visa in 2022.
At Stepwest we help Portuguese passport holders, and citizens of all eligible IEC countries, come to Canada on a working holiday visa. We are a Recognized Organization of the Government of Canada. As a recommended provider of services for Canada working holidays, we are experts in the entire process! Continue reading to learn what you need to know as a Portuguese citizen applying for the Canada Working Holiday Visa.
International Experience Canada (IEC) 2022 is open, so you can apply now. If you are part of our Canada Working Holiday Programs, we will ensure the process of applying for your working holiday visa runs smoothly so that you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The great news about the Canada Working Holiday Visa for Portugal is that there are more spots available than candidates applying, so your working holiday visa is guaranteed!
International Experience Canada does not have an official opening day, however, it normally opens towards the end of the year. The positive is that Canada will give you 12 months to travel after your work permit is approved, meaning you can apply now to travel in 2023.
The number of working holiday visas available to the Portuguese is determined in the Youth Mobility Agreement made between Canada and Portugal. This agreement is renewed on a yearly basis, meaning the number of working holiday visas available can change. During the past four IEC seasons, there were 1,750 working holiday visas available to Portuguese citizens. At this time it is unknown how many working holiday visas will be available for 2023, however, we expect it to be near or the exact same amount.
Applicants from Portugal are allowed only one participation through any of IEC’s three work permit categories. This means Portuguese citizens can get either a Working Holiday or Young Professional or International Co-op work permit – not all three. Citizens of other countries will have different terms, but these were the terms set between Canada and Portugal.
The good news is that, unlike many other countries, Portuguese can receive either a Working Holiday, Young Professional, or International Co-op work permit for up to two years!
For example, if you are from Portugal and you apply for a working holiday visa, you are eligible to receive an open work permit for up to two years. This is twice, even four times as long as many other European countries.
No, it is not guaranteed! Be very careful here and don’t assume you will automatically receive a work permit for the full two years. Canada requires that Portuguese citizens get insurance coverage for the entire duration of their intended stay in Canada. This means if you only purchase insurance for one year, it is very likely that your Canada work permit will only be approved for one year, not two.
Remember that it’s very important to buy insurance for the whole duration of your work permit. Learn what you need to know about insurance for Canada Working Holidays here. Learn everything about IEC Health Insurance requirements here.
You can create your IEC profile online to get an invitation to apply for your working holiday permit. Have you taken a look at our Working Holiday Application Guide? We explain every step of the process, from creating your profile online in your MyCIC account to waiting for your invitation to apply (ITA). Once you receive your ITA, we also explain how to prepare your working holiday visa application.
Would you like our support? No problem! When you register for any of our Working Holiday Programs, our assistance during the work permit application is 100% free. You might as well get our support right from the get-go, right?
After you have completed your biometrics, it takes about eight weeks to secure your working holiday visa. The processing time can vary depending on how many visa applications Immigration, Refugees and Citizen Canada (IRCC) has to process – but it should not take longer than eight weeks.
You can complete your biometrics in any country with a VAC center. For now, Portugal doesn’t have a VAC center. Do not go to the Embassy of Canada in Lisbon. They cannot assist you with biometrics or any part of your Canada working holiday visa application.
Have questions about how to complete biometrics from Portugal? Our team can walk you through the process during your working holiday program.
YES, The Canada Working Holiday Visa has no residence requirements. You can still apply if you are living outside of Portugal as long as you have a valid Portuguese passport.
Not at all! You can come to work in Canada directly without taking an English course. Of course, the higher your level of English, the faster you will land a job. To take away the stress of getting a job in a new country, our team of Work Placement Specialists can secure your job for you!
We have two working holiday programs to help you secure your job in Canada. The right one for you depends on the type of experience you are looking for:
Our Working Holiday Ski Resort Programs allow you to experience living and working at a summer or winter resort in Canada. If you love the outdoors and enjoy hiking and skiing, then this program will help you discover your passions while working and earning money!
You can start the program at any time of the year with the most popular being summer and winter. The summer season begins in May/June. If you like mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, zip-lining, and rock climbing, then the summer season is perfect for you! The winter season begins in October/November and is for you if you love skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Explore the Rocky Mountains while living in Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise. Or live in Whistler for the ultimate Canadian experience with your working holiday permit. Over the course of your two-year work permit, you can literally experience it all!
Whether you start in the summer or winter, your job and accommodation are secured at a Canadian resort before you arrive.
Our Working Holiday Vancouver Program provides you with job opportunities in Vancouver on arrival. This means you can build a network of friends and professional connections faster than if you arrived in Canada on your own. Use these connections to find a position in your career field and make the most of your entire two-year open work permit!
With the job that our team helps you land, you can start making money right away. This makes it easier to get settled into your new home in Vancouver, get involved in the local culture, and connect with newcomers just like you. Don’t waste time trying to find a job on your own in a new city, let us make the adjustment process easy and stress-free!
It’s very common for internationals to get started working in Canada in customer service, retail or hospitality jobs. This provides you with the time to get used to the city and learn the standards for your industry in Canada – all while making money.
Yes, we can help you! Even if you already have your working holiday visa, the hardest part is still ahead of you. That’s where we can provide you with tons of support, including securing your job and accommodation before you arrive. Come to Canada knowing you will be making money on arrival with a place to live and the support of our local and friendly team!
Fill in the form below to learn how you can register for our Working Holiday Programs.
As a participant of our program, you will get complete support through the process of moving to Canada; from securing your IEC Working Holiday Visa to securing your job, and a whole lot more.