Move to Canada From Sweden

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA – AGE LIMIT FOR SWEDISH CITIZENS

Sweden has an agreement through the International Experience Canada program that gives Swedish citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity to work in Canada. This agreement allows you to move to Canada from Sweden for up to 12 months and obtain employment.

There are three available categories in the International Experience Canada program to participate in. These are the Working Holiday (that’s the Working Holiday visum Kanada!), Young Professional, and International Co-Op permits. Y

ou may participate in the program two times, meaning you can spend up to 24 months total in Canada. However, if you participate twice, it must be through two different categories. You cannot do two working holidays in Canada, for example.

SECURE YOUR CANADA WORKING HOLIDAY VISA UNTIL YOUR 31ST BIRTHDAY!

Are you almost 30? The working holiday visa is available to citizens of Sweden from 18 to 30 years old inclusively. This means you can still apply when you are 30. As long as you apply for your working holiday visa before your 31st birthday, you are still eligible. You may enter Canada with a working holiday visa after you turn 31, but you must apply while you are still 30 years old to be eligible.

HOW TO GET A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR CANADA AS A SWEDISH CITIZEN

In order to apply for the working holiday visa for Canada, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a passport from Sweden valid for the whole duration of your stay in Canada.
• A resident of Sweden at the time of application – Sweden has a residence requirement in order to apply for the Canada Working Holiday.
• Insurance for your whole stay in Canada.
• At least 2,500 Canadian dollars (CAD) or about 17.000 kr.
• Complete biometrics, if you have not done it before. You can complete your biometrics at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Stockholm, NOT at the Canadian Embassy. The VAC is located at Drottninggatan 33 Stockholm 111 51. Sweden.

WHAT DOES THE WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR CANADA COST?

There are three fees for the Canada Working Holiday Visa totalling CAD $336, or about 2,400 kr. There is a fee to apply, one for the actual work permit, and another to have your biometrics collected:

• International Experience Canada application fee: CAD $156
• Open Work Permit fee: CAD $100
• Biometrics collection fee: CAD $85

Your biometrics are valid for 10 years so you do not have to retake them if you apply again for another work or study permit for Canada.

HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS FOR A SWEDISH CITIZEN TO GET A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA APPROVED?

Normally it takes up to eight weeks for International Experience Canada to process your visa application. Keep in mind, this processing time begins after you have completed your biometrics (the final step of the application process).

HOW LONG CAN I REMAIN IN CANADA WITH A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA?

You can move to Canada from Sweden for up to 12 months on the working holiday permit. Remember that this work permit cannot be extended beyond one year. If you want to stay in Canada longer, you can apply for a different work permit. You cannot extend your working holiday permit in Canada, as even though many people say they do this, this is not legally an option.

You can participate in IEC up to two times, each time for 12 months. Normally participants from Sweden start their experience in Canada with the easiest work permit, the Working Holiday Visa, and afterward apply for the Young Professional work permit. The Young Professional permit is for post-secondary graduates who wish to advance their careers by gaining professional work experience in their career field in Canada.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN A WORKING HOLIDAY PROGRAM WITH STEPWEST?

Stepwest’s Working Holiday Programs make it easier to navigate the complex process of moving to Canada and landing a job. 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:

1) WORKING HOLIDAY RESORT JOB

SECURE YOUR JOB AND ACCOMMODATION BEFORE COMING TO CANADA!

This program allows 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!

This program offers benefits such as cheaper accommodation, competitive salaries, staff discounts, free lift passes, and invitations to lots of different mingling events and parties.

Our Working Holiday Resort Job Programs guarantee:

• Pre-arranged jobs in the Canadian Rockies before you land in Canada or your money back!
• Resume revision and preparation for your interviews with Canadian employers.
• Assistance with your work permit application: Gathering your documents, getting your biometrics, and each step after you receive your invitation from IEC to apply!
• We arrange online job interviews for you to have directly from home.
• Staff housing at a discounted price is guaranteed before your departure from Sweden.
• Pre-departure orientation to be fully prepared for your arrival, including the most updated COVID-19 regulations to enter Canada in 2022.
• Welcome to Canada orientation: Meet with our team when you arrive to receive your free bank account, SIN Number, Canadian phone number and much more!
• Support from our Canada team throughout your entire time here.
• Many other benefits to help you settle into your Canadian work adventure.

2) WORKING HOLIDAY VANCOUVER PROGRAM

YOUR INSTANT CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL CULTURE OF VANCOUVER!

If you are more of a city person, like our participant Moa from Sweden, you can come to the amazing city of Vancouver to work and play. Now that the job offer requirement is over for IEC participants, we have opened our Working Holiday Vancouver Program for 2022!

We provide you with job opportunities on arrival so you can build a network of friends and professional connections faster than if you moved to Canada on your own. Don’t waste valuable time in Canada searching for a job. Get settled faster and start having fun exploring your new home faster!

• Move to Canada with pre-arranged interviews in Vancouver during your first few days, or your money back!
• Resume revision and preparation for your interviews with Canadian employers.
• Assistance with your work permit application: Gathering your documents, getting your biometrics, and each step after you receive your invitation from IEC to apply!
• Assistance finding a place to live in Vancouver.
• Pre-departure orientation to be fully prepared for your arrival.
• Your first night’s stay at a top-rated hostel in the heart of downtown.
• Welcome to Canada orientation: Meet with our team when you arrive to receive your free bank account, SIN Number, Canadian phone number, and much more!
• Support from our Canada team throughout your entire time here.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED FOR A WORKING HOLIDAY IN CANADA?

To move to Canada, Swedish citizens will need to prove at least $2,500 CAD or approximately 17.000 kr. We highly recommend you have at least $3,500 CAD so you can cover your first month’s expenses (rent and rental deposit, food, transportation, leisure activities, etc.) This is because you will need to wait at least two weeks after you start working to receive your first paycheck.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I EARN IN CANADA? HOW WILL I GET PAID?

The minimum wage is different in every Canadian province. As of May 2022, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15 CAD/hour and in British Columbia, it is $15.20 CAD/hour.

In Canada, you will get paid bi-weekly (every two weeks). If you are working with our Working Holiday Resort Programs, the rent for your staff housing will be taken directly from your paycheque.

HOW MUCH TAX DO YOU PAY WITH A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA IN CANADA?

Working Holiday visa holders pay the same income tax rates as Canadian citizens. Here is a link to our favourite website that explains taxes in Canada. This tool will help you compare how much tax you pay in Sweden with how much tax you will pay in Canada.

Keep in mind that if you do your taxes properly, working holiday visa holders are eligible for an average refund of $1,000 CAD. Learn more about this in our blog post on how to file taxes as a working holidaymaker.

WILL I GET VACATION FROM WORK DURING MY WORKING HOLIDAY IN CANADA?

In Canada, it’s common that during your first year of work, you normally will not earn vacation time from your employer. However, this fully depends on your specific job and employer. Many of our working holiday participants arrive in Canada with a resort job set up for the winter or summer season, then spend the shoulder season travelling before starting work again the following season.

We recommend you get started on your working holiday in Canada by committing with your employer for at least one full season. That way you will have time to work and earn money, and you will get an employer reference. Having a reference in Canada is very important if you want to continue working in the country. Be ready with professional references, as you will be always requested for these during the hiring process.

I AM FROM SWEDEN BUT CURRENTLY LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, CAN I STILL GET A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR CANADA?

Unlike other European countries, Sweden has a residency requirement to participate. You must pay attention to this as a mistake here will get you a denial from the Immigration Officer:

“It has been determined that you do not currently reside in Sweden.”

If you are temporarily outside of Sweden you may still apply. As long as your permanent address is in Sweden, you can apply for any of the three IEC work permits.

If you have a Swedish passport but you have never lived in Sweden, you will NOT be eligible for any IEC work visa.

CAN I DO BIOMETRICS OUTSIDE SWEDEN IF I AM TRAVELLING?

Yes, biometrics can be done anywhere in the world. You do not have to complete them in Sweden if you are currently travelling. Where you complete your biometrics will not impact your residency requirements, as long as your permanent residency is in Sweden. Have more questions about biometrics? Check out our post on Canada’s biometrics requirement for working holiday visa applications.

I ALREADY HAVE A VALID WORKING HOLIDAY VISA BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL WITH A JOB OFFER. CAN STEPWEST HELP ME?

Yes! Even if you already have your working holiday visa, we can assist you in securing your job and getting settled in Canada. Fill in the form below to get in touch with our team for a FREE meeting to discuss work opportunities for you here in Canada.