The Working Holiday Visa Canada: A 2024 Guide for Austrian Citizens

If you’re an Austrian looking to apply for a working holiday visa for Canada but are finding the whole process confusing, you’ve come to the right place. International Experience Canada (IEC) started offering the Working Holiday work permit for Austrians back in 2018. The agreement between Austria and Canada is way different than other IEC countries, so before applying for any of the categories, make sure you read the information here, we are confident we will help you understand it!

Working Holiday Canada Overview For Austrian Citizens

The IEC Working Holiday permit allows Austrians between the age of 18 and 30 to live and work in Canada for up to 12 months under an open work permit. Only the IEC work permit categories for Internships and Young Professionals have a limit of 35 years old and there are very specific requirements for Austrian citizens for these categories, so check the details in this blog post!

Requirements For A Working Holiday Visa Canada for Austrian Citizens?

In order to apply for a working holiday visa in Canada as an Austrian, you will need to have the following:

  • 18 to 30 years old (before your 31st Birthday!) – For the Working Holiday
  • 18 to 35 years old (before your 36th Birthday) – For the Young Professional and International Co-Op Category only!
  • Holding a valid Austrian Passport
  • Providing a clear Criminal Record Certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung)
  • Health or Medical Insurance that covers you for up to 12 months (max. Duration of each category)Proof of
  • Funds of at least CAD$ 2,500 to show upon arrival in Canada.

Visa Quota For Austrian Citizens

As of IEC 2024 Season, the amount of working holiday permits available was 168 spots for Austrian citizens and the pool for the category working holiday.

Remember if you are applying for the working holiday work permit category you don’t have to be a resident in Austria at the time of applying.

Biometrics For Working Holiday Canada Visa For Austrians

Inside / Outside of Austria.

You can complete your Biometrics in Vienna, but NOT at the Canadian embassy but at the Biometrics Center located at the following address: Am Stadtpark 1, Office Top M2.1.24-25, 1030 Vienna, Austria.

It is very important that you make an appointment in advance – The center in Vienna is a very popular one as it is used for those IEC applicants located in the south of Germany, north of Italy and some countries like the Czech Republic or Slovakia, as there are no centers in those countries. For that reason make sure to book your appointment so you know you will be helped!

If you are travelling, no worries, you can use any VFS Authorized Center in the world!

Work Permit Categories For Austrian Citizens


Working Holiday – Open Work Permit

The most accessible work permit of all if you are under 31 years old!
Open to all Canada and no residency requirements, you can apply from all over the world and you can work anywhere in Canada for up to 12 months!

If you are from Austria and want to apply for the easiest work permit for Canada, this is your choice! The Working Holiday category works exactly like this work permit category for any other IEC country, so the only thing you must keep in mind is that you must apply before your 31st birthday to be eligible!


Young Professionals – employer specific work permit

This work permit requires you to secure a job under TEER 0,1, 2 or 3 but the applicant must be permanently employed by an Austrian company and planning to come to Canada to work with a partner, parent or subsidiary company in Canada

So as you can see is not a regular Young Professional category as for other countries with agreement under IEC.

As the work permit is so specific with the requirements you will find only 10 visas available per year for Austrian citizens.


International Co-Op: Internship work permit (employer-specific)

Same situation, a very specific visa, but for example during IEC 2024 there were only 2 visas available for the whole country.

Requirements:

  • Must be a resident of Austria at the time of application
  • Internship or work placement must be in forestry, agriculture, or tourism
  • Must be a resident of Austria and must be registered as a student in forestry, agriculture or tourism or have graduated in 1 of those fields within the past 12 months at the time of application

Who is Stepwest and How Can You Help Me Move to Canada?

We are a Recognized Organization by the Government of Canada, under its International Experience Canada program. We have been running our programs since 2010 and most of us are also internationals who came to Canada under IEC programs – so we know exactly what it feels like being an international travelling to Canada! We are here to help and support you every step of the way, from work permit applications to job interviews and everything in between.

Working holiday Programs With Stepwest:

September - November

6 - 24 Months

CAD $1190

Ski Resort Program

Our Winter Resort Working Holiday program provides a great opportunity to secure employment before you arrive in Canada. Partnered with top Canadian ski resorts, we assist in job placement and guarantee staff accommodation while you're still in your home country.

May - June

6 - 24 Months

$1190

Summer Resort Program

Our summer resort program is perfect for experiencing the beauty of a Canadian summer firsthand. With various job opportunities, you can earn income while immersing yourself in Canada's wonders. Plus, you can even extend your stay for the winter season if you choose!

Year Round

12 Months

CAD $490

Canada Send Of Package

Our Canada Send Off Package helps you obtain your Working Holiday Visa, marking the start of an exciting journey. While job placement isn't included, it's a great way to begin your return to Canada affordably.

Want to Learn More?

Are you interested in learning more about applying for the working holiday visa for Canada as an Austrian citizen? Book a free consultation with us and we’ll help you start planning the trip of a lifetime!

Working Holiday Canada FAQ's For Austrians

Can I Do My Biometrics Before Getting an Invitation (ITA) for My Working Holiday in Canada?

No, you can only complete your biometrics after you receive a request from the Government of Canada. This is the last step of your work permit application after you’ve submitted your documents and paid your fees.

Do I Need To Be Living in Austria To Apply for the Working Holiday in Canada?

No, if you are applying for the working holiday work permit category you don’t have to be a resident in Austria at the time of applying. Please keep in mind that this does not apply to the International Co-Op or internship category.

What is the age range for Austrians to apply for the Working Holiday Visa in Canada?

From 18 to 30 years old (included) for the Working Holiday, so this means that if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for your working holiday in Canada before your 31st Birthday, you will still be eligible to apply!

Do Austrians need to be employed by an Austrian Company in Canada to work with a Working Holiday in Canada?

No, that is a very specific requirement only for the Young Professional work permit category, not for the working holiday visa, this is an open work permit so you are free to work anywhere in Canada for any company!

Are there language proficiency requirements for Austrian applicants?

No! To apply for a working holiday permit in Canada, no English or French is a requirement or a specific exam. Of course, the better your communication skills, the higher chances of getting a job in Canada. For example, for our Resort Programs we require at least an Intermediate level of english to be accepted.

How many Austrians are accepted annually for the Working Holiday Visa in Canada?

The number can change depending on the IEC Season, but as per IEC 2024 Season there have been 168 spots available for Austrian citizens

Do Austrian applicants need to provide proof of funds, and how much?

This is a requirement for when you travel to Canada to activate your working holiday permit, you must present at least CAD 2,500 this is around 1,800 euros in a savings account!

Is health insurance required for Austrian applicants?

Yes, for any IEC participant. In order to get a working holiday permit upon arrival to Canada, you must show you have at least 12 months of insurance, so you can get a one-year work permit.

Please learn everything about IEC insurance requirements here. This is very important!

Insurance must be valid for the entire period for which the work permit is sought. Participants can present two consecutive healthcare insurance policies if they were not able to purchase one policy to cover the entire length of their work permit.

Can Austrians apply if they've held a similar visa for another country?

Yes, you could have had a working holiday permit for any other country and you can still apply for a Working Holiday Canada as long as you match the requirements. Remember that if you have lived in any other country for 6 months or more, Canada will require you to present a Police Certificate from that country where you completed that previous Working holiday experience!

What is the application fee for Austrian citizens for a working holiday visa in Canada?

  • CAD 172: IEC Fee
  • CAD 100: Open Working Holiday
  • CAD 85: Biometrics

A total of approximately € 250 (CAD 357) – payable to the government of Canada online for them to receive your work permit application!

Are there Austria-Canada agreements that facilitate the visa process?

Yes, International Experience Canada (IEC) was active from 2018 where Canada started to allow Austrians between 18 and 30 years old to work in Canada for up to 12 months!

How can Austrians over 30 years old get a Working Holiday Visa for Canada?

Through a Recognized Organization (RO) like us – you can find all the information about this program here: https://www.stepwest.com/programs/iec-ro/

Please note that the RO program is very competitive and you will need to plan way in advance to secure your place!

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