Embarking on a working holiday in Canada during the global pandemic presents unique challenges and opportunities. This comprehensive guide explores how working holiday visa holders can navigate these unprecedented times. The article underscores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for working holiday participants to stay informed and adaptable amidst rapidly changing circumstances. Working a holiday in Canada is an exciting adventure, but what happens when unforeseen challenges, such as a global pandemic, come into play? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges globally, affecting various aspects of daily life, travel, and work. As a working holiday visa holder, being informed and adaptable is key to navigating these uncertainties.
What is a Working Holiday in Canada?
A working holiday in Canada is a unique program that allows young individuals from participating countries to live, work, and explore the country for a specific period. It’s a fantastic way to experience Canadian culture, gain work experience, and make lifelong memories.
Cassandra Fultz was part of the story by Pascal Filippi and Benjamin Morette about working holiday visa holders navigating the pandemic, where she explained more clearly this type of working visa and all the challenges that the newcomers were facing during the pandemic. Also, what is really important is the fact that everyone who is coming to Canada needs to check their eligibility for applying under the Working Holiday visa requirements for Canada. Canada has a bilateral youth mobility agreement with approximately 35 countries, allowing international youth to live, work, and travel in Canada for 12–24 months (depending on your nationality). This program is called International Experience Canada (IEC) and includes Working Holiday permits, otherwise referred to as the Working Holiday visa in Canada. Each country has different visa requirements for Canada.
“The working holiday visa is for people who want to travel around the world and get a real feel for the place by living there, and being able to finance their trip by working,” explains Cassandra Fultz, an immigration consultant based in Toronto. This open work permit allows holders to choose the job they want to do during the holiday and easily change it if it doesn’t suit them.
Many things changed for this type of visa before the pandemic and during it. Challenges and differences showed up in finding a job, getting the CIN number, and housing issues, and this was really a hard period for all the newcomers. As Cassandra Fultz states in this podcast, ”Before the pandemic, coming to Canada with a working holiday work permit was easy and simple. After getting the approval letter for the working holiday work permit, the next step was to book a flight and land in Canada, You get your work permit at the CBCI when going through the border, later on, take your CIN and start working immediately.”
Summarizing the guide, the conclusion emphasizes that while the pandemic presents challenges, a working holiday in Canada remains a valuable and enriching experience. By staying informed, adaptable, and prioritizing well-being, participants can navigate uncertainty with resilience and emerge from the experience stronger and more resilient.
