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Canadian work and holiday visa for Spaniards: Complete guide
Work and travel in Canada with the Canadian Work and Holiday Visa for Spaniards — learn the requirements and how to apply.
Would you like to spend a year working and travelling in this country? To achieve this, you can apply for the Working Holiday Canada visa for young Spaniards. If you want to have an international work experience, level up your English or French, and deeply explore Canadian culture, this programme makes it easy for you to do so. The main advantage over a traditional work visa is that you don’t need to have a prior job contract, you can simply travel and start looking for a job from within the country.
In this article, we’ll show you all the information you need to obtain this visa, including the requirements, documentation, fees, and the necessary steps to apply online. Additionally, we’ll recommend the best way to stay connected to the internet while you enjoy your adventure in Canada. Keep reading and get ready to pack your bags!
What work and holiday visas does Canada offer for Spaniards?
This country offers a specific visa for Spaniards who want to combine work and tourism, called the Working Holiday Canada, with a global quota of 2,000 beneficiaries and 800 for Spain in 2025. This agreement between Spain and Canada falls under the International Experience Canada programme, which is further divided into three groups:
- Working Holiday Visa: You can work for any local company without the need for a prior job contract.
- Young Professional Program: This only allows you to work for the company that hired you, so you need to have a contract.
- International Co-op Internship: Aimed at students with an internship offer from a Canadian company.
Working Holidays Canada Visa
The visa with the highest number of applicants in the Working Holiday Canada programme, as it has very advantageous conditions compared to any other type of visa. With this visa, you don’t need to find a job before travelling to the country, as you are granted an open work permit, allowing you to search for a job once you arrive.
Another main benefit is that the financial requirement is reduced from $10,000 CAD (€6,247) to $2,500 (€1,560), which is much more accessible for young people. Additionally, being part of this programme opens doors to professional growth, expanding your international CV, creating lifelong networks, and improving in Canada’s official languages, French and English.
Who is this visa for?
The Working Holiday Canada visa is aimed at young Spaniards aged between 18 and 35, inclusive, who want to work and live in this country. You can stay for up to one year, during which you’re expected to find a job, settle into accommodation, and immerse yourself in Canada’s local customs and culture.
Among the typical candidates are: Freelancers, travellers, recent graduates, or young professionals eager to live abroad. In short, it’s a visa for people interested in Canadian culture and those looking to finance their trip by working temporarily in a destination with a high quality of life.
Requirements and documentation
If you’re within the required age range, let’s see what documentation you need to prepare to submit the application for the Working Holiday Canada visa. We recommend that you request it in advance and keep it saved on your computer in digital format so it’s ready when you submit the application.
- Age: Between 18 and 35 years old.
- Passport: You must have a valid Spanish passport throughout your stay in Canada.
- Not a previous beneficiary: You must not have participated in the IEC Canada programme before.
- Proof of sufficient funds: To ensure that you can support yourself upon arrival in Canada and purchase a return ticket, with at least $2,500 (€1,560).
- International health insurance: A health insurance valid throughout your stay that covers hospitalisation and repatriation.
- Proof of Spanish residence: You must provide a residential address in the city where you are living. To do this, request a registration certificate from your local council’s website.
- Medical certificate: If you plan to work in fields such as healthcare, childcare, or elderly care.
- No criminal record: Request a certificate online from the Ministry of Justice.
- No dependents: You cannot travel to Canada with people who are financially dependent on you.
- Birth certificate: You can also obtain it digitally from the Justice website under procedures.
- Photo: You’ll need to upload a digital passport photo.
Steps to Obtain the Working Holidays Canada Visa for Spaniards
If you’ve already reviewed the mandatory requirements and meet them, it’s time to start the application process for the Working Holiday Canada visa. This procedure consists of several steps that we’ll detail below so you can follow them one by one and successfully complete the application form. Let’s dive in!
1. Create Your Account on the Official Government of Canada Platform
Go to the Canada.ca portal and create an account. After that, you’ll need to complete a questionnaire to determine if you are eligible for the Working Holiday Canada. If you are, you’ll receive a personal reference code that allows you to create a profile in the IEC system.
2. Create Your Profile in the IEC System and Join the Candidate Pool
If you’ve received the reference code, the next step is to create your profile in the IEC system and select the Working Holiday Canada visa category. Once you complete this process, you’ll be added to a group of candidates called the pool. Careful! Be aware, this isn’t a direct application; you’ll need to wait for an invitation, and invitations are distributed based on the available quotas for each country.
3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and Accept
If you’re lucky enough to be selected to apply for the Working Holiday visa for Canada, you’ll receive an invitation by email. From that moment, you have 10 days to accept it and another 20 days to complete the official application. Take this time to gather any documentation you still need.
4. Submit Your Application and Pay the Required Fee
Now it’s time to formalise your application through your personal account, upload all the required documentation and pay the IEC programme fee, which is about $161 (€100), and the Working Holiday Canada visa fee, which is $100 (€62).
5. Complete Biometrics
After submitting your application, you’ll be required to complete biometric registration of your fingerprints and photo within 30 days. The purpose of this biometrics is to verify your identity, prevent fraud, and facilitate immigration control when you arrive in Canada. You can complete this at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Madrid, Spain.e
6. Wait for the Approval Letter (POE Letter)
The final step is to wait for the approval letter, as with this document you’ll need to travel to Canada within 12 months. Once you arrive at the airport in Canada, you must go to a border services officer, show this letter along with all the required documentation, and if everything is in order, you’ll receive the Working Holiday Canada visa.
Internet while working, studying, or relaxing in Canada
The best option for travelling with the Working Holiday Canada visa is to have a stable, secure internet connection with 5G coverage across all of Canada. This way, you can start looking for jobs on the country’s main portals, send your CV, make video calls, and use GPS to attend in-person interviews.
If you’re unsure about the plan you want to contract for the long term, start with the Holafly eSIM for Canada, which offers unlimited data only for the days you choose, starting at $6.90 (€5.90) per day. Additionally, you also have access to Holafly’s monthly plans, which offer unlimited data, the ability to connect two devices simultaneously, and the best coverage for $67.90 (€64.90) per month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Price and Expenses for Obtaining the Working Holidays Canada Visa for Spaniards
In addition to the relevant fees you need to pay for the Working Holiday Canada visa, there are also other additional expenses you should be aware of to create a realistic budget for the investment you need. Plan each expense carefully, as you may need total savings of around €825 – 1,200 ($905 – 1,320) — not including the proof of financial means or the cost of living, which will depend on the city you choose to live in. Here’s a summary of the main expenses:
- IEC programme fee: $161 (€100)
- Visa fee: $100 (€62)
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo): $85 (€53)
| Category | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Medical exam (if needed) | From €80 ($88) |
| Medical insurance | From €75 per month ($82) |
| Flight ticket to Canada | From €550 ($605) |
| Criminal record certificate | €3.86 ($4.25) |
| Proof of financial solvency | €1,560 ($1,715) |
Approximate costs for the Working Holiday visa in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions about Working Holidays Canada Visas
For 2025, the quota has been set at 800 spots for young Spaniards. This number may vary each year.
You can stay for a maximum of 12 months, during which you can live and work in the country.
No, it’s mandatory to purchase international health insurance that covers healthcare, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
No, unlike a regular work visa, with the Working Holiday Canada, you don’t need to have a prior job contract. You can travel and search for a job once you’re in the country.
No, you can only participate once in this category, but you can extend your stay by applying for other types of visas, such as study, work, or temporary residence visas.
