Nowadays, many tend to humorously highlight the rivalry between Canada and America, as these two countries have long acted like two neighbors who borrow each other’s lawnmowers but still argue over who has the better backyard. (It sounds like a midlife crisis for us.)

Our wit on this matter would be undoubtedly sharp, but that is not our purpose here. We’d rather discuss how Canada offers the opportunity to broaden your perspective of the world through international Work and Travel experience. How does it sound to spend several months (it’s up to you how many) in a whole different world that you know nothing about? Are you daring enough to sever the ties that bound you to your homeland? Think of the universally valuable skills, the confidence, and all the new friendships.

We’re not here to romanticize the work-and-travel experience because, as you’ve probably already heard, it implies some challenges and a lot of hard work. However, if you’re considering immersing yourself in this experience, it may be a good idea to keep reading. We won’t waste your time!

If you’re an individual with the age between 18-35 years old, this article is for you.

Basic Regulations for Work and Travel in Canada

1. You must first check Canada’s Government website to see if you’re eligible for the IEC program.
2. The second step is to create and submit an account through the IRRC portal, an online platform that streamlines visa and permit application processes.
3. Then, you should receive an invitation to apply and submit your work permit application.

Understand Canada’s Work and Travel programs

The International Experience Canada (IEC) is no longer accepting applications for 2025 (everything is sold out), but what’s wrong with 2026? It could be the year for you.

The IEC program invites you to immerse yourself in Canadian culture while also working hard, and it can host you for up to two years. If the beauty of Canada were to make you fall in love with it, you should know that you have the option of participating in this program for a second time, with the mention you have to apply for a different category. The categories available are:

• “Working Holiday” invites you to spend a year on the Canadian lands and provides you with an open work permit, a certificate that does not tie you to specific employers. That means you’re exempt from signing the employment contract before coming to Canada, which is usually an essential requirement for Work and Travel. Moreover, you won’t be restricted to working in the same place for the whole time; You have the freedom to work with multiple employers across various locations, which is great.
• “Young professionals” is for those who’ve just graduated or maybe recently completed an internship and aspire for more valuable knowledge, such as that provided by international work experiences. This program offers you the opportunity to work in Canada for one year, and it requires a specific work permit, one that prevents you from performing for one employer solely during your stay. Unlike the “Working Holiday” program, “Young Professionals” frees you from the stress of looking for job offers in advance, “Young Professionals” has a strict policy regarding this matter, making job offers or employment contracts an imperative precondition.
• “International Co-op internship)” hosts you for up to one year, and precisely as it happens within the “Young professionals” program, you’re allowed to work for just one employer, and you also must have an offer for an internship ahead of time. As regards the matter of paid or unpaid internships, you have to research the guidelines of each province or territory.

Find a way to always stay connected

Disconnecting when traveling is a habit loved by many, as there are times when you need to see the world through a whole different perspective, one that’s not influenced by friends, family, and social media. Indeed, sometimes it is imperative to put your phone down and concentrate on soaking up all the things that are happening right in front of you, and that can teach you so many things if you truly look at them. However, it wouldn’t be realistic and, honestly, not safe at all to break away from your phone completely.

You can find a way to use your phone that doesn’t take over your entire existence, ideally, without having to sell a kidney to cover the additional data charges. We’d like to bring you up to date with one of the best offers regarding connectivity when working abroad. An eSIM with unlimited data in Canada is excellent for clear video calls, maps, texts, and Instagram or TikTok stories. Let’s face it: Canada looks marvelous; you won’t be able to resist snapping pictures at every turn (you might find yourself taking pictures of hotdogs, thinking they’re too majestic to pass up). However, if you want to see more info about eSIMs (and you should want that), you can find it on Holafly’s plans for foreigners.

Final Thoughts

We’d like to end this article by discussing the most beautiful attractions Canada has to offer, as after all, it’s the memories that you keep forever, not the money. If you’re young, you might invest all of your earnings in clothes that you’ll not even like after wearing them a few times—and that’s the tragedy of many, don’t worry.

However, among the best places to visit in Canada announced for 2025 there is:

• Banff is a surreal mountain town.
• Quebec City is known for its picturesque centuries-old buildings.
• Niagara Falls is an iconic destination in southeastern Ontario.
• Victoria & Vancouver Island, as they perfectly highlight Canada’s French roots.
• Whitehorse is a natural wonder that never fails to fascinate travelers.
• Prince Edward Island is the home of many rolling green hills and sandy beaches.