---
title: Will my Work & Travel Canada work permit be approved?
description: 99.9% of applicants who go through the process with our guidance are approved, but the Government of Canada makes the final decision.
---
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1. [Working Abroad - Participants](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us)
3. [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
# Will my Work & Travel Canada work permit be approved?
## Our approval rate, why we can't guarantee it, and what can complicate an application.
Almost certainly, if you're eligible and complete your application truthfully and on time. 99.9% of applicants who go through the process with our guidance are approved with no issues, but we can never guarantee approval because the Government of Canada makes the decision, not us.
**Why there's no guarantee:** The bar for eligibility is quite achievable: you need to be 18�35, have a US passport and participate through a Recognized Organization (RO). After that, it's up to you to fill out your own application within the timeframe the government gives you and to answer truthfully. In the past 9 years of running this program, out of thousands of people we've supported, a few have been refused because of negligence or major omissions in their application.
**Two questions that can complicate things:**
- **Have you ever had a DUI or past criminal charges?** If yes, your application could get more complicated and more expensive. You may be asked for an FBI rap sheet or rehabilitation documents.
- **Have you lived outside the US or Canada for 6+ months somewhere it would be really hard to get a [police certificate](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/about.html)?** For example, a place where the bureaucracy is hard to access, or that has had a war or coup since you lived there. IRCC takes police certificates very seriously and can refuse an application without one.
If either applies to you, talk to us before you apply so you can weigh the risk of being refused or found inadmissible to Canada.
**Medical exams and police certificates:** If you'll need an upfront medical exam or a police certificate, talk to us ahead of time so you're ready for a longer processing timeline. A medical exam is required if you plan to work in childcare, healthcare or education, and it must be done by a panel physician. These documents can add time and cost that aren't included in the typical timeline or in your InterExchange program fee.
The most successful applicants are the ones who understand the process and prepare. Our [2026 application guidelines](https://iex-website.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/2026-IEC-Working-Holiday-Application-Instructions.pdf) walk you through it. If you have questions about your situation, contact us at workabroad@interexchange.org or (800) 597-3675.
- [General](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
- [Costs & Payment](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#costs-payment)
- [Second Year & Young Professional](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#second-year-young-professional)
- [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
- [Getting Started](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#getting-started)
- [Applying](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#applying)
- [Living & Working in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#living-working-in-canada)
- [American Summer Exchange](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Germany](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#main-content)
- [Visa](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#visa)
- [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
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