How does Work & Travel Canada work?
Who can join, how the IEC process runs, and how long it takes.
Work & Travel Canada helps U.S. citizens aged 18�35 get a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) open work permit through International Experience Canada (IEC). You'll need a U.S. passport with at least 1 year of validity.
Why you apply through us: U.S. applicants must go through a Recognized Organization (RO). InterExchange partners with the RO SWAP Working Holidays to support U.S. participants and nominate them for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), which is a required step for U.S. citizens.
How it works
- Sign up for the program with a $100 deposit. The InterExchange application for the 2027 year will likely go live in December 2026, and the Government of Canada's IEC 2027 program year will likely open in January 2027.
- Attend a required virtual orientation.
- Follow our guidelines, which take you step by step into the IEC pool.
- Pay your remaining program fee before we nominate you. It covers InterExchange and SWAP Working Holidays.
- Once you're nominated (nominations happen weekly on Tuesdays), you'll get your ITA from the Canadian government within a few days.
- We help you complete your application, including the RO support letter.
- Visa processing takes 2�8 weeks, so start at least 2�3 months before your planned travel date.
The program has sold out quickly in past years, so you may want to move forward as soon as the program year opens.
For every step in detail, see the IEC Working Holiday application instructions.
Get ready before you apply
Each application has slightly different requirements. The best thing you can do in advance is review the Work & Travel Canada process, especially the "Documents" section, and read the program FAQs and resources. There are more answers on our Work & Travel Canada FAQ page.
Want to talk through your plans? Contact us and we'll help you get started.