WHAT ARE THE STEPS WHEN YOU HAVE A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FOR CANADA?
What should you do after getting your Working Holiday Visa (WHV) for Canada? Where should you start, and what are the priorities? I also had all these questions when I received that famous entry letter. What’s next? What do I need to do? Don’t panic! In this article, I’ll share the 10 essential steps to follow once you’ve received your Work Holiday Visa for Canada.
1 - GET AN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY VISA
Once you’ve received your entry letter, the first thing you need to do is to get an international insurance for your Working Holiday Visa. I personally opted for Cap Working Holiday insurance, in partnership with Chapka. During my world tour, I had already used their services and was satisfied with them. So I thought, why not stick with the same company?
It’s very important to choose an insurance that covers the entire duration of your WHV, as it’s one of the key documents that the border official will ask for. If your insurance ends before your visa’s expiry date, the officer may only validate your visa until the end of the insurance coverage rather than the visa’s expiration. This has happened to some people, so pay attention to this detail! With Chapka, you can even get insurance for 2 years directly.
2 - ACTIVATE YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY VISA AT THE CANADIAN BORDER
If you carefully read your entry letter, it will tell you that your application has been accepted, but that the customs officer has the final decision. Print out all the documents you submitted during your application process and make sure you have everything with you, especially your insurance, passport, and entry letter! Once everything is in order and you’re at the border, make sure to mention under which visa you’re arriving, so you can meet with a customs officer. Good luck!
3 - FIND A PLACE TO STAY
You can start looking for accommodation before or after activating your Work Holiday Visa. You can go through regular rental agencies, but the cheapest and least complicated option in terms of paperwork and timing is Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. Of course, be careful about scams! Before sending money to confirm a place, I strongly recommend visiting in person and then accepting the offer. Some people have had the unpleasant surprise of sending money for a fake address and arriving there to find nothing.
Also, depending on the type of job and contract you’re looking for, sometimes accommodation is included, especially if the job is far from the city.
4- GET A SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER (SIN)
To work in Canada with a Working Holiday Visa, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) with your Canadian address. You can apply for it here.
5- GET A CANADIAN PHONE NUMBER
These days, many phone providers offer international plans at very affordable rates. However, if you’re looking for a job in Canada or even want to open a bank account, you’ll need a Canadian phone number. They won’t contact you on your international number, and they rarely use WhatsApp, so a Canadian number is your only way to stay in touch. Don’t miss out on this! Personally, I went with Chatr, which has some great plans, but feel free to research other options since deals are constantly changing.
6- EXCHANGE YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE
After some time in Canada, you might need to exchange your driver’s license. Depending on where your original license was issued, you may either need to retake a test or simply exchange it for a Canadian one. Each province has different rules, so check the details for your province. For example, here’s more information about Quebec and for Yukon. Yup, very different, so do your research based on the province you’re in.
7 - FIND A JOB
You can find job listings in Canada with your Working Holiday Visa on platforms like LinkedIn, Jobbank, or Indeed. Some provinces also have their own dedicated job search websites, like YuWin for Yukon. Depending on the field you’re in, it might be easier or harder to find a job. If you’re unsure about which province to live in, it can be helpful to start your job search before even arriving in Canada, so you can secure a job and housing beforehand.
For other fields like tourism or hospitality, sending unsolicited applications can also work, even if you don’t have prior experience. If you show enthusiasm and professionalism, some employers might prefer hiring you over someone with experience but no motivation. Plus, sometimes accommodation is included.
Bonus tip: Before sending your resume, don’t forget to format it to Canadian standards. My Perfect Resume explains in detail how to format your resume for Canada.
8- OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
While traveling abroad, it’s easy to use an international card with no foreign transaction fees, like Revolut. However, if you plan to work in Canada, chances are your employer will require you to have a Canadian bank account. Make sure to check with them. Look at different bank offers; some provide special promotions for newcomers with a Working Holiday Visa.
9- MANAGE TAXES
Before accepting a job offer, you can estimate your net salary using a tool like Talent.com. Be aware that taxes on both your salary and the products you buy can vary depending on the province. And of course, don’t forget to file your taxes every year.
10 - ENJOY YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY VISA TO EXPLORE
The key for making the most of your experience and enjoying your WHV in Canada is, of course, to have fun! If you’ve got this visa, it’s to explore a new country and take time to adapt to a new culture! Don’t hesitate to travel, try new activities, and maybe even try a job you never thought you’d do. Make the most of this opportunity!
So there you have it, the 10 essential steps to do for your stay in Canada with a Working Holiday Visa. I’ve been in Canada for a year and a half now, and I don’t regret this decision. I’ve discovered new landscapes, tried new activities, met wonderful people, worked in a field where I had no experience… and much more. Canada is a country to be explored in depth, and this visa is a great opportunity. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram if you have any questions—I’d be happy to share my experience!