Canada and Ireland have a long-standing agreement that allows Irish citizens to live and work in Canada for up to two years. This visa gives you the freedom to explore Canada’s three coastlines, diverse landscapes, Canada’s incredible outdoors, and at the same time, gain international work experience, and fund your travels along the way.
Year-round
6-24 Months
From C$1,390
The Canada Working Holiday Visa is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which allows eligible young people from participating countries to live, work, and travel in Canada.
For Irish citizens aged 18–35, the Working Holiday category provides an open work permit, meaning:
Once your application is approved and you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will issue your official work permit, allowing you to begin your Working Holiday adventure.
If you’ve considered an Australian Working Holiday Visa, you’re already familiar with the idea of working and travelling abroad. Canada offers a similar experience, but with some important differences. One of the biggest advantages of Canada’s Working Holiday Visa is that there is no specified work requirement to maintain or extend your stay. In Australia, participants often need to complete regional, agricultural, or other specified work to qualify for additional years on their visa.
For Irish citizens, Canada’s Working Holiday Visa can provide up to 24 months of open work permit validity from the start, allowing you to work for almost any employer, travel freely, and explore the country without needing to meet additional work requirements.
Whether you’re looking for a ski season in the Canadian Rockies, resort work in British Columbia, or the freedom to travel across the country, Canada’s Working Holiday Visa offers flexibility and the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience.
Quick answer: Irish citizens can participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program up to two times, but there is an important detail to keep in mind.
Full breakdown: For your first participation, you may choose either:
However, if you decide to participate a second time, your second participation must be under the International Co-op (Internship) category, which is valid for up to 12 months.
In short, your IEC participations as an Irish citizen can be:
provided you meet the eligibility requirements for each category.
To apply for a Canada Working Holiday Visa, Irish citizens must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Because the Canada Working Holiday Visa is so popular, most countries have more applicants than available spots. To manage demand, the Government of Canada, through International Experience Canada (IEC), uses a pool and invitation system.
This means that you cannot apply directly for a Working Holiday work permit. Instead, you must first create an IEC profile and become a candidate in your country’s IEC pool. From there, eligible candidates are randomly selected and invited to apply for a work permit through an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Invitations are sent out in multiple rounds, helping manage demand.
In simple terms, you must first become a candidate in the IEC pool, and then you may be invited to submit your Working Holiday visa application. Once invited, you can complete your work permit application and begin the approval process.
Remember: If you apply early and enter the IEC pool as soon as it opens, your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) are generally very good compared to applicants from many other countries. The earlier you enter the pool, the better your chances of securing your spot and starting your Canadian Working Holiday adventure. Don’t miss your opportunity!
To apply, you must be:
When you arrive, you must prove you have at least: CAD $2,500 (~€1,900). This requirement helps demonstrate to immigration officers that you can support yourself while settling into life in Canada. If you are travelling with a one-way ticket, you may also need to show additional funds to cover the cost of a return flight.
Most working holiday jobs (especially in resorts) pay at or above minimum wage, with opportunities to earn more depending on the role. Wages vary by province, but here’s a general idea:
| Province | Minimum Wage (CAD/hour) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00* |
| British Columbia | $18.25* |
*Based on the 2026 minimum wage rates in both provinces.
How you will get paid:
Whether you’re planning a ski season, looking for resort work, or simply want to live and travel in Canada, our team can help you navigate the IEC process from start to finish! Apply for the Canada Working Holiday Program today!
No. As an Irish citizen: You can only get one Working Holiday Visa in your lifetime through the regular International Experience Canada (IEC) program. However: If you have dual citizenship, you may be able to apply again using another passport, if that country has an IEC agreement with Canada.
If you hold both Irish and UK citizenship, you have a major advantage. You can:
Even better:
But please remember:
This is where many people get caught out. Even though Irish citizens get 2 IEC participations, the rules are strict. So, you will need to choose carefully based on your goals.
You will need to provide a police certificate:
Important: Police certificates must be issued within the last 6 months at the time you submit your IEC work permit application.
Irish applicants must provide biometrics after applying for their work permit. Biometrics cannot be completed in advance, only after being requested by IRCC. To complete them, you can do them in:
Deadline: Must be completed within 30 days of request.
To enter Canada, you must have health insurance covering your entire stay. This is non-negotiable. If you arrive with only partial coverage (e.g., 6 months):
If you are aiming for a resort job in Canada, timing is everything. Popular destinations include:
Through our Working Holiday Programs, hiring typically takes place during two main recruitment seasons:
| Season | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer | Until March |
| Winter | Until June |
The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing your preferred location and getting your ideal role. If you miss one season, don’t panic, you can start in summer, and stay on for winter.
While you can apply independently, applying with Stepwest offers several advantages, including:
Bottom line: save time, avoid common mistakes, and start your Canada Working Holiday with confidence!
Irish citizens have access to Working Holiday Visas in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many destinations across Europe. However, Canada remains one of the most popular choices thanks to its strong job market, outdoor lifestyle, and travel opportunities. As Canada Working Holiday specialists, we’ll focus on the Canadian option throughout this guide.
Yes. Irish citizens need a valid work permit to legally work in Canada.
The most popular option is the Canada Working Holiday Visa, which is part of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Through this program, eligible Irish citizens aged 18-35 can receive an open work permit, allowing them to:
Before you can receive a work permit, you must first enter the IEC pool and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Government of Canada. Once approved, you can travel to Canada and activate your work permit upon arrival.
Yes, but not with your passport alone. If you want to live and work in Canada, you will need a valid visa or work permit.
Many Irish citizens move to Canada each year through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, which includes the popular Working Holiday Visa. Thanks to a special agreement between Ireland and Canada, eligible Irish citizens aged 18-35 can apply for an open work permit and live and work in Canada for up to 24 months.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and receive approval, the Canada Working Holiday Visa can be one of the easiest ways for Irish citizens to experience life and work in Canada.
Up to 24 months – Irish citizens participating in the International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday program can typically stay in Canada for up to 2 years. The work permit duration will be connected to the duration of your insurance. If you bring an insurance valid for less time, your work permit will be shorter!
Maximum 8 weeks from the moment you complete Biometrics. The processing time for a work visa for Canada from Ireland varies, but we offer assistance to streamline and simplify the process, making it more manageable and less stressful.
The duration of a maximum of 2 years and the age limit, you will be only eligible for it if you have an Irish passport and you are under 36 years old!
If you are approved for a Canada Working Holiday Visa but never travel to Canada to activate it, it generally does not count as an IEC participation.
This means that, provided you still meet the eligibility requirements (including the age limit), you may be able to apply again in the future. If your plans change and you never activate your work permit, you won’t automatically lose your opportunity to participate in IEC.
Important: Your IEC participation only begins when you arrive in Canada and a border officer issues your work permit. If you never activate your permit, your participation may not be counted. As immigration policies can change, always check the latest IEC rules before making future plans or submitting a new application.
Yes. Compared to many other nationalities, Irish citizens generally have a very good chance of receiving a Canada Working Holiday Visa through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and are between 18 and 35 years old.
Irish citizens can access a wide range of seasonal jobs in Canada through the Working Holiday Visa, particularly at some of the country’s leading resort destinations. Popular roles include:
Many resort employers hire year-round, giving participants the opportunity to work a summer season, a winter ski season, or even stay on for both. One of the biggest advantages of working at a Canadian resort is that all of our placements include access to staff accommodation, helping you reduce living costs, meet other international travellers, and make the most of your Canada Working Holiday experience.
Irish citizens should apply early for seasonal resort jobs in Canada. Summer hiring usually takes place between December and February for roles starting in May or June. Winter hiring for ski resort jobs typically runs from March to July for start dates between September and November.
Because popular resorts in the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia fill positions quickly, applying early is essential. Through our programs, we guarantee both your job and staff housing before you leave Ireland, so you can arrive with peace of mind and focus on your Working Holiday adventure.
When you arrive in Canada on a Working Holiday, there are a few essentials to set up: open a Canadian bank account, get your Social Insurance Number (SIN), and arrange a local phone plan. You’ll also need to organize everything to move into staff housing, including the mandatory items required on arrival, but don’t worry, we guide you through what to bring so you’re fully prepared. We also help with transport to your resort, so you can settle in smoothly.
Rent for staff housing is deducted directly from your paycheque, making budgeting easier and helping you save money during your Working Holiday in Canada. However, it’s important to arrive with some savings to cover your initial expenses.