Should I pay an agency to help me with my Working Holiday?
You might ask yourself: “When is the best time to go on a Working Holiday in Canada?” Or maybe you’re thinking, “Can I really do this on my own?” “Am I too old?” “Will I be able to find a job in Canada?”
These thoughts are completely normal. Moving to a country so far from home can feel overwhelming and as a result, it’s easy to find yourself stuck in doubt, wondering if you should get help from an agency to make the process easier.
Here’s what I can personally say about using an agency: many people will tell you it’s worth the cost. One of the biggest reasons is that it gives peace of mind, especially for worried parents who just want to know their son or daughter won’t feel lost in a faraway country like Canada.
Do you only need help with the Working Holiday application?
No need to waste money on something you can do for free!
There are a ton of free step-by-step instructions for the Working Holiday application all over the Internet. For example, this info blog you found, has a detailed 8 step Working Holiday application guide with many tips not to mess up.
Additionally, the extensive FAQ section on this website has answers to almost all of the questions that have ever been asked in the Working Holiday IEC support groups.
Keep in mind: the IEC process, including the Working Holiday, is a lottery. No one (not an agency, and not even a high-priced immigration lawyer) can guarantee you’ll get a work permit.
Therefore, be cautious of any agency that promises a guaranteed spot if you pay for their package. The truth is, the process is the same for everyone. Whether you apply on your own or pay a lot of money for someone to do it for you, your chances in the pool are exactly the same.
Agencies fill out the same forms and upload the same documents you would. There’s no secret shortcut, just the standard steps all applicants have to follow.
Do you need help with finding a job?
Expect to pay even more if an agency offers to set up job interviews for you in Canada. Their so-called “package prices” can double or even triple.
Sure, agencies might give you links to job postings, but let’s be real, those are the same links you can find yourself with a bit of time and effort online.
Furthermore, based on the experience of hundreds of other work and travellers, your plans in Canada will likely change within the first few days. For example, you might meet new friends at the hostel and decide to travel first. Or maybe you don’t like the job or the town at all. And just like that? You quit. Suddenly, all the money you paid to the agency feels like a waste.
If you’re coming to Canada for a summer or winter season to work in hospitality, don’t stress. Fortunately, many employers are actively looking for work and travellers like you. You won’t have trouble finding a job, especially if you stay open and flexible.
While in Canada you are actually on your own.
When you pay an agency a ton of money, it’s natural to expect a certain level of support. However, once you land in Canada, you’re pretty much on your own.
You might get a local contact person through the agency, someone you can call if things go wrong, but no one from the agency is going to take you by the hand and show you around. You’ll still have to handle the basics yourself:
Apply for your SIN (tax number)
Open a bank account
Find a place to stay
Search for a job
Look into buying a car or getting insurance
Sure, the agency might tell you where to go, but honestly? You could just type “Service Canada Vancouver location” into Google and find out where you can apply for a SIN in person. The info on Google can be found in seconds and is free.
Ultimately, what counts as “good support” is a matter of personal opinion and expectations. That said, the majority of work and travellers who used an agency later regretted it. In fact, many of them use the same words to describe the experience: “I wasted my money”.
The only time you need to use and pay an organization
If you’re planning to participate in the IEC process for the first time, you can see above why there’s no need to pay an agency. You can absolutely do it on your own.
However, if you’ve already used your regular IEC participation for your country and want to stay and work in Canada longer, there’s another option: applying through a Recognized Organization (RO).
Recognized Organizations are approved and vetted by the Canadian government. With their help, you may be able to join the IEC program two more times. Yes, really, two more Working Holidays are possible.
This route is especially helpful if you’ve fallen in love with Canada and want to extend your experience beyond your initial permit or as a stepping stone towards permanent residency.
You can do it!
You’ll become much more independent when you choose to take everything into your own hands. Not only that, but the money you would have spent on an agency can be put to much better use once you’re actually in Canada.
For example, you could use that money for your first month’s rent, travel, or even to explore a new city.
If you’re feeling unsure, even after following this 8-step Working Holiday application guide, or if you have very specific questions, don’t worry, there’s help available. Communities like our IEC support group >> here << are full of people just like you. In fact, these groups often provide more practical, real-world advice than most agencies.
Why is that? Because the knowledge shared in these communities comes from first-hand experience, from people who have actually done a Working Holiday in Canada.
By contrast, many agency staff have never gone through the process themselves. Some have never even set foot in Canada, which makes it hard for them to truly understand your experience.
So, here’s the truth: you don’t need to rely on an expensive agency. You have access to the tools, the community, and the support to do this on your own.
And in the end, all the doubts you have now will disappear. The moment you land in Canada, step off the plane, and breathe in your new adventure, your inner voice will shout loud and clear:
