Work Permits for International Young Workers - go2

The Canadian government has a bilateral agreement with 16 countries allowing the exchange of youth to work and/or study abroad. The following chart outlines four types of work permits for international young workers: Working Holiday Program (WHP), Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP), Youth Worker (YW) and Co-Op.

This chart contains program information such as quota amount, release date, deadline, age limit, valid period, processing time and the Canadian Embassy locations. Terms and conditions vary depending on the country of origin.

Information in this chart will be updated on a regular basis as new agreements are established. Please check back often for updates.

Note: The information below is first sorted by category then by country of origin.

Working Holiday Program (WHP)

Country Quota Released Quota fills Age Validity Multiple applications Processing time Apply through

Australia Unlimited 18-30 24 months yes, unlimited 4 weeks Sydney

Belgium 420 January late in the year 18-30 12 months No 5-8 weeks Paris

Chile 400 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months No 15 days Santiago

Czech Republic 1160 January late in the year 18-35 12 months No 4-8 weeks Prague

Denmark 400 January late in the year 18-35 12 months No 10 days Stockholm

France 7000 January February 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive 8 weeks Paris

Germany 5000 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive 6 weeks Berlin

Hong Kong 200 January New program 18-30 12 months No 2 months Hong Kong

Ireland 2000 January 1 week 18-35 12 months No

Italy 600 January fills late in the year 18-35 12 months No 6 weeks Rome

Japan 7250 January fills late in the year 18-30 12 months No 12 weeks Tokyo

Korea 2010 November immediately 18-30 6 months No 2 months Seoul

Latvia 350 January immediately 18-35 12 months after return to Latvia can apply for other programs Riga

Netherlands 600 November mid year 18-30 12 months yes, WHP & Young Professionals 6 weeks Berlin

New Zealand 2500 January Late in the year 18-30 12 months No 4-6 weeks Wellington

Norway 300 January late in the year 18-35 12 months after return to Norway can apply for other programs 3 weeks Stockholm

Poland 600 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months after return to Poland can apply for other programs 4 weeks Warsaw

Spain 350 January New 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive 8 weeks Madrid

Sweden 500 January late in the year 18-30 12 months after return to Sweden can apply for other programs 10 days Stockholm

UK 2000 January immediately 18-30 12 months No BUNAC

Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)

Country Quota Released Quota fills Age Validity Conditions Apply through

Argentina 25 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months Student ASATEJ

Austria 70 January New 18-35 12 months Student SUPERTRAMP

Brazil 75 January Will not be offered from 2011 18-30 12 months Student Student Travel Info

Bulgaria 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Usit Colours Bulgaria

Costa Rica 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student OTEC Viajes

Chile Has been discontinued

Croatia 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student BHV Education

Czech Republic 0 Discontinued

Dominican Republic 15 January New 18-35 12 months Student ODTE

Ecuador 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Grupo Idiomas

Finland 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Allianssi Youth Exchanges

Germany 70 January Will not be offered from 2011 18-30 12 months Student Step In

India 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student KAREER KRAFTERS INDIA PVT LTd

Ireland 2000 January 1 week 18-30 12 months Student USIT

Jamaica 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student JOYST

Malaysia 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student MSL Travel Sdn Bhd

Mexico 50 January New 18-35 12 months Student SETEJ

Malta 30 January New 18-35 12 months Student National Student Travel Foundation

Moldova 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student STM Acord / Acord Travel

Netherlands 50 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months Student Travel Active

New Zealand 250 January Cannot be used as repeat visa anymore 18-30 12 months None IEP

Peru 30 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months Student PICE

Poland 0 Discontinued

Philippines 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student First Place Inc.

Romania 15 January New 18-35 12 months Student Student Travel Romania

Russia 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Sindbad International Exchange Department

Slovenia 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Slovensko Popotniško Društvo ERAZEM

Slovakia 50 January New 18-35 12 months Student CKM 2000 Travel

Singapore 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Speedwing Training (Asia) Ptd Ltd

Taiwan 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student CIEE Taiwan

Thailand 25 January New 18-35 12 months Student Overseas Education Group

South Africa 50 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months Student SASTS

Ukraine 35 January New 18-35 12 months Student Studentland TM

UK 2000 January 1 week 18-35 12 months Student BUNAC

USA 300 January Some years 18-30 12 months Student BUNAC

Young Workers & Co-Op

Country	Visa	Quota	Released	Quota fills	Age	Validity	Multiple applications	Type of work permit	Apply through
Australia	Co-Op/YW	Unlimited			18-30	24 months	yes, unlimited	employer specific	Sydney
Austria	Co-Op	70	January	not filled	18+	12 months	No	Employer specific - partner, subsidiary or parent company	Vienna
	YW				18-30	12 months	No	employer in forestry, agriculture or tourism
Chile	YW	share of 400	January	Will be increased if needed	18-35	12 months	No	employer specific	Santiago
	Co-Op				18-35	12 months	No	employer specific
Czech Republic	YW	40	January	late in the year	18-35	12 months	No	employer specific	Prague
	Co-Op				18-35	12 months	No	employer specific
Finland	Co-Op	25	January	doesn't fill	18-30	18 months	No	must apply within 2 years of graduation, employer specific	Stockholm
France	YW	2100	January	mid year	18-35	18 months	2 different programs, non-successive	employer specific	Paris
	Co-Op	4690	January		18-35	12 months		employer and field of study specific
Germany	Co-Op	share of 5000	January	Will be increased if needed	18-35	12 months	2 different programs, non-successive	employer specific, student	Berlin
	YW				18-35	12 months		employer specific	Berlin
Latvia	YW	100	January	doesn't fill	18-35	12 months	after return to Lativa can apply for other programs	employer specific	Riga
	Co-Op	50		doesn't fill	18-35	12 months		employer specific
Netherlands	YW	share of 600	November	mid year	18-30	12 months	yes, WHP & Young Professionals	employer specific	Berlin
Norway	YW	share of 300	January	late in the year	18-35	12 months	after return to Norway can apply for other programs	employer specific	Stockholm
	Co-Op				18-35	12 months		employer specific in field of study
Poland	YW	share of 600	January	Will be increased if needed	18-35	12 months	after return to Poland can apply for other programs	employer specific	Warsaw
	Co-Op				18-35	12 months		employer specific
Spain	YW	share of 350	January	New	18-35	18 months	2 different programs, non-successive	employer specific	Madrid
	Co-Op				18-35	12 months		employer and field of study specific
Sweden	Co-Op	share of 500	January	late in the year	18-30	12 months	after return to Sweden can apply for other programs	employer specific in field of study	Stockholm
	YW				18-30	12 months		employer specific
Switzerland	YW	350	January	doesn't fill	18-30	12 months	after return to Switzerland can apply for other programs	employer specific	Online
	Co-Op							employer specific in field of study

Work permits available by country

Country Visa Quota Released Quota fills Age Validity Multiple applications Type of work permit Processing time Apply through

Argentina SWAP 25 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months No Open, student est. 8 weeks ASATEJ

Australia WHP Unlimited 18-30 24 months yes, unlimited Open 4 weeks Sydney

Co-Op/YW Unlimited 18-30 24 months yes, unlimited employer specific

Austria Co-Op 70 January not filled 18+ 12 months No Employer specific - partner, subsidiary or parent company est. 8 weeks Vienna

YW 18-30 12 months No employer in forestry, agriculture or tourism

SWAP 70 18-30 12 months No open Supertramp

Belgium WHP 420 January late in the year 18-30 12 months No open 5-8 weeks Paris

Brazil SWAP 75 January Will not be offered from 2011 18-30 12 months No open est. 8 weeks Student Travel Info

Bulgaria SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Usit Colours Bulgaria

Chile WHP 400 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months No open 15 days Santiago

YW 18-35 12 months No employer specific

Co-Op 18-35 12 months No employer specific

Costa Rica SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No Open, Student est. 8 weeks OTEC Viajes

Croatia SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks BHV Education

Czech Republic WHP 1160 January late in the year 18-35 12 months No open 4-8 weeks Prague

YW 40 January late in the year 18-35 12 months No employer specific

Co-Op 18-35 12 months No employer specific

Denmark WHP 400 January late in the year 18-35 12 months No open 10 days Stockholm

Dominican Republic SWAP 15 January new agreement 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks ODTE

Ecuador SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No Open, student est. 8 weeks Grupo Idiomas

Finland Co-Op 25 January doesn't fill 18-30 18 months No must apply within 2 years of graduation, employer specific Stockholm

SWAP 25 January new agreement 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Allianssi Youth Exchanges

France WHP 7000 January February 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive open 8 weeks Paris

YW 2100 January mid year 18-35 18 months employer specific

SWAP 210 January 18-35 3 months, summer employer specific

Co-Op 4690 January 18-35 12 months employer and field of study specific

Germany WHP 5000 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive open 6 weeks Berlin

Co-Op 18-35 12 months employer specific, student

YW 18-35 12 months employer specific

SWAP 70 January Will not be offered from 2011 18-30 12 months open Step-In

Hong Kong WHP 200 January New program 18-30 12 months No open 2 months Hong Kong

India SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks KAREER KRAFTERS INDIA PVT LTd

Ireland SWAP 2000 January 1 week 18-35 12 months No open 4 weeks USIT

WHP 2000 January 1 week 18-35 12 months No open

Italy WHP 600 January fills late in the year 18-35 12 months No open 6 weeks Rome

Jamaica SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months open, student est. 8 weeks JOYST

Japan WHP 7250 January fills late in the year 18-30 12 months No open 12 weeks Tokyo

Korea WHP 2010 November immediately 18-30 6 months No open 2 months Seoul

Latvia WHP 350 January immediately 18-35 12 months after return to Latvia can apply for other programs open est. 8 weeks Riga

YW 100 doesn't fill 18-35 12 months employer specific

Co-Op 50 doesn't fill 18-35 12 months employer specific

Malaysia SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks MSL Travel Sdn Bhd

Mexico SWAP 50 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks SETEJ

Malta SWAP 30 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks National Student Travel Foundation

Moldova SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks STM Acord / Acord Travel

Netherlands WHP 600 November mid year 18-30 12 months yes, WHP & Young Professionals open 6 weeks Berlin

YW 18-30 12 months yes, WHP & Young Professionals employer specific

SWAP 50 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 12 months No open Travel Active

New Zealand WHP 2500 January Late in the year 18-30 12 months No open 4-6 weeks Wellington

SWAP 250 January no 18-30 12 months Cannot be used as repeat visa anymore open None IEP

Norway WHP 300 January late in the year 18-35 12 months after return to Norway can apply for other programs open 3 weeks Stockholm

YW 18-35 12 months employer specific

Co-Op 18-35 12 months employer specific in field of study

Peru SWAP 30 January yes (but quota based on demand) 18-30 6 months No open, student Student PICE

Philippines SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks First Place Inc.

Poland YW 600 January Will be increased if needed 18-35 12 months after return to Poland can apply for other programs employer specific 4 weeks Warsaw

Co-Op 18-35 12 months employer specific

WHP 18-35 12 months open

Romania SWAP 15 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Student Travel Romania

Russia SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Sindbad International Exchange Department

Slovenia SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Slovensko Popotniško Društvo ERAZEM

Slovakia SWAP 50 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks CKM 2000 Travel

Singapore SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Speedwing Training (Asia) Ptd Ltd

Spain WHP 350 January New 18-35 12 months 2 different programs, non-successive open 8 weeks Madrid

YW 18-35 18 months employer specific

SWAP 18-35 3 months, summer employer specific

Co-Op 18-35 12 months employer and field of study specific

South Africa SWAP 50 January yes 18-30 12 months No open, student Student SASTS

Sweden WHP 500 January late in the year 18-30 12 months after return to Sweden can apply for other programs open 10 days Stockholm

Co-Op 18-30 12 months employer specific in field of study

YW 18-30 12 months employer specific

Taiwan SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks CIEE Taiwan

Thailand SWAP 25 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Overseas Education Group

UK SWAP 2000 January immediately 18-30 12 months No employer specific est. 8 weeks BUNAC

WHP 2000 January immediately 18-30 12 months No open

Ukraine SWAP 35 January New 18-35 12 months No open, student est. 8 weeks Studentland TM

USA SWAP 300 January some years 18-30 6 months can reapply after completing one year of postsecondary study open, student est. 8 weeks BUNAC

Switzerland YW 350 January doesn't fill 18-30 12 months after return to Switzerland can apply for other programs employer specific est. 8 weeks Online

Co-Op employer specific in field of study