Canada is Allowing Some Working Holiday Visa Holders to Extend their Visas

Working Holiday Visa holders whose trip was disrupted by the pandemic will have one more opportunity to visit Canada.

In most cases, the Working Holiday Visa is a one-time agreement. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are providing an exemption because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working Holiday Visa holders who are unable to travel and whose letter of introduction (LOI) is about to expire may be eligible to renew their letter.

According to the government website, the new guideline does not apply to other International Experience Canada (IEC) participants.

Also, working holiday visas are only valid if the first letter of intent was issued between January 1 and April 30, 2020.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve previously been granted an extension; your existing letter of intent must expire before December 21, 2021.

If your letter of introduction has previously expired, you are still entitled to apply.

As of July 30, the interim policy is still in effect.

Working Holiday Visa holders must seek an extension using IRCC’s webform before December 31, 2021, to be eligible for the extension.

Medicals

Only if you live in a recognized country do you need to have your medical examinations redone.

An immigration officer will contact those requiring a repeat medical examination and ask whether they agree to a fresh one.

If you agree that you will undergo a new medical examination, your file may be reopened so that you can seek a new medical examination.

You may be granted an extension of your LOI after the receipt of your medical is confirmed.

Alternatively, an LOI extension may be granted without the need for a fresh medical assessment if you:

• Have an IME for a job offer in a designated occupation that has not expired;
• have not lived in a designated country for six (6) or more consecutive months in the year prior to asking for an extension of the LOI;
• Or you have chosen not to renew your medical checkup.

Decisions on LOI extensions

All LOI extensions will be granted at the discretion of the immigration officer on a case-by-case basis.

If accepted, the LOI extension will be for 12 months from the date of application processing or the existing LOI’s expiration date.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) – Required Participants

If you get an LOI extension as a TRV participant, your request will be submitted to the International Network (IN) for processing and reissuing stubs as appropriate.

It’s worth noting that, in order to enter Canada, all Working Holiday Visa applicants must provide proof of a genuine employment offer.

A standardized letter response will be provided to you instead of a new LOI. However, you may need a new TRV with a longer validity period.

The IRCC encourages participants to bring this letter on their trip because it may be required upon entry into Canada.

What do You need to Know About the Working Holiday Visa?

The application period for the 2021 IEC season is now open. However, IEC participants who still need to activate their work permits must have a legitimate job offer to enter as part of a new COVID-19 policy.

Don’t allow fear of the unknown to keep you from getting started; there is plenty of preparation you can undertake ahead of time, and we can assist you with a comprehensive IEC Working Holiday checklist!

How to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Canada?

The Canadian Working Holiday Visa is a highly popular choice, and each country has stringent requirements that must be met every year.

The application is a two-step procedure that begins with creating an online profile and ends with submitting a comprehensive application.

The following are the most crucial first steps:

#Step 1: Create an online profile that will be used to ask you questions based on the criteria outlined below.

#Step 2: Wait for the draw, which will require you to get an invitation. Within ten days of getting your invitation, you must complete your profile.

#Step 3: Submit an application within 20 days of getting your ITA.

You need the following to apply:

• Valid passport;
• Be a part of the 34 participating countries;
• Aged 18-35 (the cut-off is 30 for certain countries);
• $2, 500 to cover initial expenses;
• Health insurance;
• Police clearance certificate;
• Round-trip ticket or sufficient funds to cover one; and
• No dependents

Another thing to remember is that biometric data, such as electronic fingerprints, must be submitted to a specified location in your home country before departure.

Where to Work in Canada on a Working Holiday?

Your job hunt might be postponed until you arrive in Canada, but you can start looking and planning now. Are you seeking a job at a resort?

Working a casual, part-time shift? An internship to kick-start a rewarding career? Or are you looking for something different?

Consider how you want to spend 12 months or longer in Canada to create a strong strategy and a fantastic travel schedule that will help you achieve all your goals and make the most of your Working Holiday!

Top Tips to Consider Before Traveling to Canada on a Working Holiday Visa

So, while you may have your documents in order and have gotten your ITA, there are still certain details to consider once you arrive in Canada.

Before you travel to this dynamic country, consider the following suggestions.

• Make arrangements to rent a car or become acquainted with the public transportation system;
• Before receiving your first salary, save aside money for unexpected costs.
• Ensure you have the appropriate credentials for the industry in which you intend to work, such as Occupational First Aid or Food Safe for the hospitality industry.
• Remember to file your tax refund application at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
• Apply for a year’s worth of travel insurance;
• Obtain a local SIM card (which can also be used to contact your business);
• Create a bank account. and
• Look for a low-cost money-transfer app.

Conclusion

The Canadian government’s decision to extend the Working Holiday Visa is encouraging and forward-thinking. It allows visa holders to stay in Canada longer, contributing their skills, exploring the country, and pursuing their dreams without worrying about overstaying their visas. This move will undoubtedly bring substantial economic and cultural benefits for Canadians and visitors alike. Moreover, by creating a more sustainable approach to tourism, Canada is setting a new standard for immigration policies worldwide.