Visa snapshot
Work and study
- Work rights
- Open work permit: work for most employers anywhere in Canada (jobs in health services, child care, primary/secondary education, eldercare require a medical exam).
- Study rights
- Individual courses up to 6 months; longer study needs a study permit
Funds and health
- Funds required
- CAD 2,500 (bank statement issued within 1 week of departure; covers first 3 months) + round-trip ticket or funds for departure ticket
- Levy or extra cost
- Open work permit holder fee CAD 100 + biometrics CAD 85 if required (typical total CAD 284.75-369.75)
Extensions
- Further stay
- Available, conditions apply
Quota or ballot
- Allocation
- 2026 allocation: 2,735 places (pool-based, regular invitation rounds; often oversubscribed)
- No ballot
Reciprocal healthcare
- Agreement in place
- No
- Private health insurance needed
On this page
Eligibility at a glance
- Passport: This route is for Irish citizens, so you must apply on a valid Irish passport.
- Age: You must be aged 18 to 35 when you apply, not when you travel.
- Funds: CAD 2,500 (bank statement issued within 1 week of departure; covers first 3 months) + round-trip ticket or funds for departure ticket
- Health: Must meet Canadian health requirements
Eligibility and conditions
Who can apply
Passport valid for full stay (permit cannot outlast passport). Health insurance (medical + hospitalisation + repatriation) mandatory for entire stay - permit shortened to insurance validity, no later change possible. Not inadmissible. No dependants accompanying.
- Ireland passport holder
- Aged 18 to 35 at time of application
- Sufficient funds: CAD 2,500 (bank statement issued within 1 week of departure; covers first 3 months) + round-trip ticket or funds for departure ticket
General conditions
Pool + Invitation to Apply (ITA) system with rounds of invitations - NOT first-come. One IEC permit per season. Health insurance (medical care + hospitalisation + repatriation) mandatory for full stay - permit shortened to insurance validity. Round-trip ticket or funds for departure. Participation counts only once you arrive and the permit is issued.
Repeat participation
Working Holiday once only (a second time is via International Co-op, which requires being a student).
2026 allocation
Ireland had 2,735 Working Holiday places in the 2026 IEC season, roughly half the Australian or French allocation. IRCC recorded 650 candidates in the pool on 31 July 2026.
Extensions
Second visa extension
No in-country extension of WH permit. Some countries allow a 2nd participation (UK: 2nd of 12mo; Japan: 2nd of 12mo since 1 Apr 2025; Korea: 2nd of 24mo; Germany: 2nd in a different category; AU/NZ/IE/FR: WH once).
Important application rules
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Canadian Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 2-8 weeks.
Apply Now →Get ready for Canada
Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.
Essential setup
Banking
Open a local account soon after you arrive in Canada so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.
Mobile and connectivity
Set up a local number or eSIM in Canada for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.