12 Countries Where Canadians Can Easily Get Work Visas If You Need A Break From Montreal
Spend a year exploring somewhere new!
- Luckily for us Canadians, our country has a good relationship with many other places. This makes means there is quite an extensive list of countries where Canadians can get a working holiday visa.
- The best part? This means you can get paid while travelling!
- Find out some of the best countries where Canadians can easily get a working holiday visa to travel to!
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As amazing as Montreal is, there are many of us who feel the urge to bust out of this city and see what working and living somewhere else would be like. As a Canadian, there are a ton of countries where you can easily get a working holiday visa or other similar documents that will provide you with the chance to explore a new country.
If you're under 30 years of age (and in some cases 35), you can be granted a working holiday visa for specific countries. You need to get a different visa for every country you'd like to work in, but when you do so, you can stay in each of the countries for a time of six months to two years, depending on the place's rules.
Getting a working holiday visa will allow you to experience a different culture and work environment while doing so, which will provide you with an experience that an average tourist doesn't get. So, if you can, you should get the full experience!
Some of the applications on this list need to be done in person and may require you to drive to Ottawa to submit your application at the Parliament building. Luckily for us Montrealers, Ottawa is only a short commute away!
Australia
Cost of application: AUD 485 / ~ CAD 438
Stay: 12 months
Processing time: 75% of applicants in 14 days, 90% of applicants in 26 days
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen between 18-30 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport.
Australia has a well-developed economy and has a big influence on industries like IT, finance and tourism. It is also known for its strong mining, manufacturing, and agricultural industries.
Although English is the most commonly used language, there are over 200 different languages and dialects being spoken throughout the land. The most common of those languages are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, and Vietnamese. So, if you happen to be fluent in any of those languages, you may have a greater advantage of finding a job while in Australia!
Costa Rica
Cost of application: USD 200 / ~ CAD 264
Stay: 12 months
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport.
Costa Rica is home to many things, including over 50 species of hummingbirds and over 120 volcanic formations, of which seven are still active.
Costa Rica has a diversified economy that strives when it comes to agricultural production. Enjoy this experience while living the pura vida style!
Here's how to discover Costa Rica!
Croatia
Cost of application: To apply for a working holiday visa in Croatia, you must prove that you have the minimum funds of HRK 6,000 (~ CAD 1,181) for a stay of under six months and KHR 12,000 (~ CAD 2,362.54) for a stay on over six months.
Stay: 6 - 12 months
Processing time: Up to 2 months
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport that's good for at least 12 months before you enter Croatia.
Croatia is home to gorgeous beaches, great eateries and some of the best sunsets you will ever lay your eyes on. And, if you want, it could be your home for up to 12 months.
You can experience the majesty of Croatia in many ways. From roaming through cobble-streets while discovering UNESCO sites to hiking through one of the many national parks in the country, Croatia has a ton to do.
Denmark
Cost of application: 1,455 DKK / ~ CAD 285
Stay: You can stay for 12 months but can work only for six months.
To apply you must: Have Canadian citizenship, be 18-35 years old (inclusive), and have a Canadian passport that’s valid for at least three months more than the length of your stay.
There are so many cool things about Denmark, but my favourite is that Copenhagen bikes outnumber cars 5 to 1. So, if you want to bike through life for a year and enjoy LEGO’s birth country, then you should look into gaining a holiday working visa to experience the greatness for yourself.
Denmark is the twelfth largest country in the world, which means you'll have tons of things to see during the six to twelve months that you'll be spending there.
Find out how you can live in Denmark!
France
Cost of application: Varies depending on the visa you want
Stay: 12 - 24 months
Processing time: Up to 6 months
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive), and have a Canadian passport that’s valid for at least six months before you enter France. All other requirements are stated on the website.
Working and living in France is a great opportunity to develop and explore the unique connection between Montreal and France.
As the country with one of the largest economies, many fields excel within the country, including high-end fashion, like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton, as well as excelling in agriculture and food. So, you'll be able to try out a number of jobs while there if your heart desires!
Italy
Cost of application: EURO 2,400 / ~ CAD 3,516
Stay: You can stay in Italy for up to 12 months and work for a total of 180 days. However, you can only work for an employer for a maximum of 90 days.
Processing time: 15 days
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive), live in Canada while applying, and have a valid Canadian passport.
Living in Italy sounds like a dream to me. The food, the wine, the shopping, the art, and the culture are all things that make up this phenomenal country.
But there's more than just eating, drinking, and shopping. Research and development in new technologies are growing in Italy and there is a greater emphasis on skill development and investment increase through tax incentives and innovation hubs.
This inspiring country could be your home for up to a year, so take the risk and apply!
Check out the website to find out more!
Japan
Cost of application: USD 2,500 / ~ CAD 3,310
Stay: 6 - 12 months
Processing time: Minimum of one week
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-30 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport. Other logistics are outlined here.
As one of the most modern and developed countries in the world, Japan is a great option when it comes to choosing a destination to experience for a year.
Not only is Japan rich in beauty and culture, but it has cutting-edge technologies and still manages to value old traditions. So, you'll get the best of both worlds while exploring here.
South Korea
Cost of application: Not stated
Stay: 12 months
Processing time: Approved on a first come first served basis
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-30 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport. All other requirements are stated on the website.
South Korea has a rich city living in places like Seoul and has a wide range of exciting, urban scenery. There are great shopping areas, a vivacious nightlife scene and a variety of cultural attractions to get to experience.
Not to mention the incredible eats you and your taste buds will experience if you decide to take a leap of faith and explore what life is like in South Korea.
Find out how you can live and work in South Korea!
Netherlands
Cost of application: EURO 57 / ~ CAD 84
Stay: 12 months
Processing time: Up to 90 days
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-30 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport.
The Dutch economy is stable and healthy and the business structure is characterized as being a great country to foster productivity in the world place.
There is a nice way of life found in the Netherlands and you can experience it throughout an entire year if you want. You could either work in a larger city like Amsterdam or explore a charming little town like Giethoorn — the choice is yours!
Spain
Cost of application: Varies depending on the visa category
Stay: 12 months, but you can apply on two separate occasions for a total of 24 months
Processing time: Not stated
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport.
Spain is an incredibly rich country in both culture, food, beauty and history. Not only is it home to some phenomenal architecture, but it also has a very welcoming population.
The abundance of cultural activities, eateries, cafes and, unique shops makes this a dream destination for anyone looking to work abroad for a year. Plus, you could be able to stay for two years since you have the option to apply twice!
Would you like to live and work in Spain?
Taiwan
Cost of application: US 100 / ~ CAD 132
Stay: 12 months
Processing time: Not stated
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-35 years old (inclusive) and have a valid Canadian passport. All other requirements are stated on the website.
Taiwan is known for its magical and mountainous forests and gorgeous secluded islands, which is a nice change from the brutal weather conditions in Montreal.
Not only is the country booming in the communications and technology industry, but it is also big in agriculture! So, if any of these meet your interests, you should consider applying for a visa in Taiwan!
And if you're a shopping fanatic like me, there are a ton of incredible markets throughout the country for you to discover.
United Kingdom
Cost of application: £ 244 / ~ CAD 425
Stay: 24 months
Processing time: Must apply at least six months before you leave and will hear back within three weeks of applying.
To apply you must: Be a Canadian citizen who is between 18-30 years old (inclusive), have at least £1,890 (~ CAD 3,296) in savings, and have a valid Canadian passport.
There is always something exciting going on throughout the United Kingdom, and you can immerse yourself in the excitement for up to 24 months.
There are so many different and interesting layers to this part of the world. So, if you're thinking of spending the next year or two there, you're bound to have the experience of a lifetime.