What are my options after the Working Holiday?
First and foremost, an IEC work permit (including the Working Holiday) cannot be extended beyond the max. allowed time under the agreement with your country.
See extra info blog post > here <
Option 1: Stay longer as a visitor
If you plan to stay in Canada for just a few more weeks or months to explore, it is essential that you apply for a visitor record before your work permit expires.
After you submit your application to change your status to “visitor,” and your work permit expires, you will have successfully maintained visitor status. As a result, this allows you to remain in Canada while a decision is made on your visitor record application.
It’s important to note that once your work permit expires, you must stop working immediately.
Option 2: A second participation with the same citizenship
Very few of the IEC countries allow a second Working Holiday for Canada. Enter your country >> here << to read the requirements. For example, Croatia, Chile, Italy, and the UK are among the countries that permit a second participation through the regular process.
However, be aware that some countries include a discontinuance requirement, meaning there must be a break between the expiry date of the first IEC work permit and the submission of the second application. In other words, you can only apply for a second participation after your previous work permit has expired. Here are the breaks:
- Croatia: 3 months
- Latvia: 1 year
- Lithuania: 3 months
- Poland: 6 months
- Slovakia: 3 months
- Spain: 3 months
Option 3: A second citizenship
If you have a valid passport from another citizenship, you can apply for the Working Holiday again with the other passport. The requirement is that the other country participates in the IEC program. The requirements of the second country apply. Please enter the country >>here<< to find out the requirements of the country you have the second citizenship for.
A lot more info in an extra post > here <
Option 4: Participation through a Recognized Organization (RO)
A Canadian-based Recognized Organization (RO) that was selected and vetted by the Canadian government offers you the opportunity to participate in the Working Holiday Program two more times. And this is in addition to the regular IEC process.
However, RO spots are very limited and have become a very popular choice for young travellers between 18-35 years to work in Canada under an open work permit. Despite the high cost of participation, these spots disappear quickly, even within minutes of becoming available.
Depending on the organization, prices range from $1,800 to $5,000. Additionally, only a small number of approved ROs offer this opportunity.
More information on this option >> here <<
Option 5: Spousal Open Work Permit
- Are you married? Perfect!
- Or have you lived together as a common-law couple for at least 12 months and can provide proof? For example, shared addresses on rental agreements, utility bills, bank accounts, etc.? If so, that’s great too!
- Does your partner have a job?
- Is your partner currently in Canada with a temporary work permit (not a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen)?
- Is your partner’s work permit valid for at least 16 months?
If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, you may be eligible to apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). This work permit allows the spouse to work in Canada for any employer and at any job.
A lot more information on the spousal open work permit > here < in another info post.
Option 6: Mobilité Francophone
- The Mobilité Francophone is an LMIA exempt work permit for French speaking skilled workers outside of Quebec.
- The Mobilité Francophone is an employer specific work permit comparable to the Young professional work permit.
- No LMIA is needed and has the LMIA exemption code C16.
Mor information on the Mobilité Francophone > here <.
Option 7: Study Permit
If you want to stay in Canada longer, you could apply for a study permit. With this permit, you’re allowed to work off campus for up to 24 hours per week during regular semesters, and full-time during scheduled study breaks.
However, be aware that studying in Canada as an international student can be quite expensive, especially compared to the costs for Canadian residents. In fact, tuition fees can easily exceed $20,000 per year, depending on the program you choose.
Furthermore, the Canadian government has recently decided to limit the number of study permits they issue. As a result, they’ve introduced stricter requirements for approval.
You can read all the info about the study permit requirements > here <
Option 8: LMIA - employer sponsoring
The LMIA process for an employer-specific work permit is very strict and involves a significant amount of paperwork and stress. As a result, many employers and applicants opt to hire an immigration consultant or lawyer for assistance. Typically, you can expect the total cost to range between $5,000 and $7,000.
To begin the process, the employer must apply for an LMIA. First, they are required to advertise the job position for at least 4 weeks and demonstrate that they cannot find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the role. It’s important to note that there are strict requirements for the job advertisement. Once these advertising requirements are met, the employer can submit the LMIA application, which will cost them $1,000.
Only after receiving the LMIA approval letter and LMIA number can you apply for an employer-specific work permit. This is crucial, you cannot apply before obtaining the LMIA approval.
Be aware, however, that the LMIA requirements have changed significantly and will remain in effect at least until 2027.
Option 9: Express Entry Program for Permanent Residency
To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet specific criteria based on the program you are applying to. Some key factors include:
- Work experience in a skilled occupation
- A recognized language proficiency in either English or French
- Educational qualifications (degree, diploma, etc.)
Express Entry manages applications for three key immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Option 10: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Not an option!
An “open work permit” application based solely on a job offer from an employer is not an option. Simply put, no such open work permit exists.
A work permit application must always be based on a main application. If this requirement is not met, the work permit will be refused and returned as “incomplete,” which will put you out of status retroactively from the date your previous work permit expired. This gap in status can seriously jeopardize your future immigration applications and endeavors.
If your Working Holiday work permit has already expired, your only option is to leave Canada as soon as possible, or alternatively, restore your status to visitor in order to regain legal status in Canada. Please note, the cost for restoring your status is $200.
(More info > here <)
Heads UP!
A restoration as “worker” under an IEC work permit is not possible because an IEC work permit cannot be extended beyond the max. allowed time under the agreement with your country. You can only restore as a visitor.