The Immigration Consultants- Specialists in Portuguese Nationality & Portuguese Passport
Working Holiday Visa Allows Portuguese Citizens to Work in Canada
Do you hold Portuguese citizenship/passport?
If yes, then you are about to commence on an exciting voyage! With the Canada Working Holiday Visa, we will now elaborate on the criteria required for the application. We at The Immigration Consultants (TIC®) take pride in helping all Portuguese (or European) passport holders with a lifetime opportunity to work and live in Canada on the Holiday Working Visa, which would lead to becoming a permanent residency for Canada. Our expertise and end-to-end assistance in the entire processing make us stand out among the rest.
About the International Experience Canada for Portuguese Citizens to Work in Canada
The International Experience Canada or IEC Canada program allows Portuguese or European Citizens to Work in Canada. This program only permits people with age between 18 and 35 years. You can assure yourself to get a work permit quickly without an LMIA. This process is far different from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and a lot easier.
What is the Working Holiday Stream?
The Working Holiday stream is suitable for those who wish to work with numerous Canadian employers. The person can even go to Canada when he doesn’t have a job offer. In such a scenario, the person gets an open work permit. While the person can work for up to two years, they can save more once they reside in Canada. To qualify for the program, the person must be a citizen of Portugal or any European Country. Besides, he should have a valid passport for the duration of his stay in Canada.
To cover the country’s expenses, you need to present proof of funds. You must have at least have CAN$2,500 in the bank account. Moreover, you need to present health insurance documents when he plans to live in Canada. Apart from everything else, you should also have a round-trip ticket. If you don’t have a ticket, you should be capable of purchasing a departure ticket. Moreover, you should be able to buy the ticket once the term of residence lapses. However, when applying, your spouse and children can’t accompany you.
You would also need to go through an upfront medical examination to be admissible to Canada. In addition, the visa officer would also check for your criminal records before your profile is approved. If you have been engaged in terrorism or subversion in the past, you would not be allowed to enter Canada. The officer will also reject your application if you have committed crimes against humanity in the past.
About the fees for the program
The fees that need to be paid vary from category to category. An online tool can guide you to pay the application fees. But, the payment options always depend on two aspects. Firstly, the option may depend on where you would be applying.
For 2022, the IEC participation fee is CAN$156 and an additional CAD$100 for your open work permit. If the officials insist on giving biometrics, the person has to pay another CAD 85. Therefore, the biometric fee has to be paid apart from the participation fee.
How are many working holiday visas from Canada available for Portugal?
The Canada-Portugal agreement determines the number of work permits available for Portuguese in Canada. Every year, this agreement is renewed. As a result, the total number of Working holiday permits for Portuguese issued is 1,750 every year. However, this does not guarantee that the same number of permits will be available the following year.
Are Indians allowed to apply for the Working Holiday Visa?
India is not listed in the countries eligible for the Working Holiday Visa. Still, Indian nationals can apply for the Working Holiday Visa through IEC Recognized Organizations such as AIESEC Canada and the University of British Columbia.
Types of jobs I can apply for with my International Experience Canada work permit?
You can find employment in multiple areas as it depends on your preference and requirement in terms of jobs. You can work in many different areas. E.g., the tourism and hospitality industries, and if you have a degree qualification and experience supporting your education, you can also find jobs in Education, Law, Communication, Commerce sector. If you are a young professional applying, then your job must match your professional development classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Type Level 0, A or B.
How long does it take to get an invitation to apply for the Working Holiday Visa?
Once a candidate enters the pool, they are randomly chosen based on their profile; you would receive an invitation to apply once chosen. However, once your profile is in the pool, you will usually receive an invite as long as spots are available.
- International Internship (Co-op)
- Young Professionals
- Working Holiday
Will my spouse get a work permit under International Experience Canada (IEC) to come with me?
The answer is YES if your spouse also holds a Portuguese passport and has submitted their application on the IRCC portal; if your spouse is not eligible for a work permit, they can come to Canada as a visitor.
How long is the work permit valid for Portuguese passport holders?
Unlike many other countries, the Portuguese passport holder can receive a Working Holiday work permit for two years. In addition, all European passport holders willing to apply under the IEC can obtain an open work permit for up to 2 years.
What is a port of entry (POE) letter?
You will receive a Port of Entry (POE) letter from IRCC after being approved for a Working Holiday Visa.
Can I complete my Biometrics from India or any other base country?
You may complete your biometrics at any VFS Global centres located in your country. Our experts at TIC® will assist you in finding a centre and schedule an appointment suiting your convenience. Since the Working Holiday Visa has no residence requirements, you can apply from any country of residence.
Get A Quote for Your Working Holiday Visa Here
What support do I receive from TIC after receiving my IEC?
At TIC®, we value all our customers and make them part of our TIC® family. Therefore, we extend our support to clients in connecting them to the right source for their initial start-up days in Canada. In Canada, it is relatively more straightforward for international immigrants to acquire jobs in the retail, customer service or hospitality sector as beginners while getting used to the standard of living and city life.
We also have a specialized team for recruitment to assist our clients in sourcing applications on various job portals on their behalf, thus making the job search easier. In addition, our We-connect program allows you to connect with our Alumni living or studying in Canada for assistance while accustomed to the local culture.