Portugal is one of Canada’s IEC partner countries, which means Portuguese passport holders aged 18-35 can apply for a Working Holiday visa through International Experience Canada (IEC). If approved, you can work for any employer anywhere in Canada for up to 24 months. Stepwest is a Recognized Organization (RO) under International Experience Canada by the Government of Canada. We’ve successfully placed participants since 2010.
Year-round
6-24 Months
From $1,390
To qualify for the IEC Working Holiday visa, you need to meet all the following at the time you apply:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid Portuguese passport, valid for the full duration of your stay |
| Age | 18-35 years old |
| Health insurance | Covering the full duration of your stay in Canada (up to 24 months) |
| Proof of funds | At least CAD $2,500 available upon arrival in Canada, plus sufficient funds to purchase a return flight (or proof of a return ticket). |
| Criminal record | You must be admissible to Canada. |
Good news: there are no residency requirements. If you hold a Portuguese passport but currently live outside Portugal, or if you have dual citizenship with another country, you can still apply. All you need is a valid Portuguese passport!
Interested in moving to Canada from Portugal? Find out more about our Working Holiday Visa Canada Programs and begin your adventure!
As a reference, during 2026 IEC season, Canada allocated 500 Working Holiday visas for Portuguese citizens. This quota can be adjusted during the season, so applying early gives you the best chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
IEC application pools typically open in December and close in late September or mid-October each year
| Fee | Amount (CAD)* |
|---|---|
| IRCC IEC application fee | $184.75 |
| IRCC Open Work Permit holder fee | $100 |
| Biometric fee (if required) | $85 |
| Stepwest program fee | From $1,390 |
*The fees listed below are provided for reference only and are based on the IEC 2026 season. All fees are set by the Government of Canada and may change at any time without notice. Applicants are responsible for verifying current fees and requirements before submitting their application.
Portuguese citizens can receive a work permit for up to 24 months, but the duration of your permit is tied directly to your health insurance.
If you only buy insurance for 12 months, you will get a 12-month permit. And once your permit is issued, you cannot extend it by upgrading your insurance later. So, if you want 2 full years in Canada, buy 24 months of coverage from the start. You can only use the IEC Working Holiday category once as a Portuguese citizen.
Canada requires biometrics as part of the application. Portugal has its own Visa Application Centre in Lisbon (Campo Grande 28, 5 A, 1700-093).
If you are living abroad when you apply, you can complete biometrics at any VFS Global centre in the world — you do not need to return to Portugal first.
Important: Do not go to the Canadian Embassy in Lisbon, they cannot assist with IEC biometrics or applications.
Once your biometrics have been completed, processing typically takes up to 8 weeks. You can check the most up-to-date processing times on the IRCC website.
Working Holiday participants in Canada typically work in hospitality, tourism, and outdoor recreation — sectors where jobs are plentiful, accommodation is often included, and the lifestyle is hard to beat.
Typical wages start from CAD $15–$17/hour, rising depending on role and province. Many resort jobs include subsidized staff accommodation, which significantly reduces your cost of living. Budget roughly CAD $1,200–$1,800/month for rent if you are finding your own housing in most resort towns.
We do more than just support your visa application, we help you arrive in Canada with a job already lined up and a place to live. We have helped thousands of people from Portugal and across Europe make this move.
We partner with top Canadian ski and summer resorts in destinations like Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Before you fly, we will secure you a job and subsidized staff accommodation.
You can do both seasons back-to-back on a 2-year permit; many of our participants do exactly that.
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.
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!
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.
Yes! If you already have an approved Canadian Working Holiday visa, Stepwest can help you secure a job in Canada before you arrive.
Our program helps Portuguese citizens find seasonal and hospitality jobs with employers across Canada, many of which include staff accommodation. This means you can arrive in Canada with your job and housing already arranged, making your transition much easier.
Instead of spending your first weeks searching for work and accommodation, you can start earning money shortly after arrival and enjoy the support of the Stepwest team throughout the process.
No. You do not need to take an English course or pass an English test to apply for a Canadian Working Holiday visa through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
However, having a stronger level of English can make it easier to find a job in Canada and may give you access to a wider range of employment opportunities.
If you’re worried about finding work in a new country, Stepwest can help. Our team of Work Placement Specialists can secure your job and accommodation before you arrive, allowing you to start earning money soon after landing in Canada and enjoy a smoother transition to your Working Holiday experience
The time it takes to get a Canadian Working Holiday visa for Portuguese citizens can vary depending on how quickly you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
Once you receive an ITA, submit your application, and complete your biometrics appointment, most applications are processed within approximately 5 to 8 weeks. However, processing times can vary throughout the year.
The overall timeline for Portuguese citizens applying for a Working Holiday visa in Canada typically includes:
Because invitations are issued throughout the IEC season, some applicants receive an ITA within a few weeks, while others may wait several months.
If you are planning to work in Canada, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible in the season to maximize your chances of receiving an invitation and securing your visa in time for your planned departure date.
As health insurance is a critical requirement when activating your Working Holiday work permit in Canada, our Travel Coordinators can help you compare different IEC insurance options and choose the coverage that best suits your needs.
Bringing proof of health insurance for the full duration of your stay is essential. If you arrive with 24 months of eligible insurance coverage, you can receive a work permit valid for up to 24 months. Arriving with a shorter insurance policy may result in a shorter work permit being issued. Learn everything about the IEC insurance here.
After submitting your IEC Working Holiday visa application, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) from IRCC. You must then book an appointment and provide your fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Portuguese citizens can complete their biometrics at the Visa Application Centre in Lisbon or at any VAC worldwide that offers biometric collection services.
At any VFS Center of the world. Whereas you are a Portuguese citizen living temporarily outside of Portugal or you are a dual citizen, who has never lived in Portugal before, you are allowed to use any of the VFS centers that Canada has authorized in the world:
Example:
Scenario 1: You are studying at a University in the UK, but your home is Lisbon, Portugal, you can do Biometrics in London, UK.
Scenario 2: You hold a passport from Portugal but you live in Brazil, you can do Biometrics in any of the VFS centers in Brazil in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre or Brasilia.
If you qualify for an IEC working holiday visa, you can work up to 2 years in Canada.
The duration of your work permit will depend on the duration of your travel insurance that you will bring to Canada to activate the work permit.
Remember that health insurance is mandatory. If your insurance policy is valid for less than your expected stay, you will be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. If this happens, you will not be able to apply to change the conditions of your work permit at a later date.
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