Canada Working Holiday for Chileans (2026)

Age when applying

Chile’s Working Holiday category covers ages 18–35, inclusive. Our filter checks age only; IRCC assesses the full requirements and participation history.

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Passport and citizenship

This guide covers Chilean citizenship and passports. The passport must cover the stay and limits permit validity. IRCC allows Chileans up to two IEC participations under any category, subject to assessment of their history.

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English or French for the visa

The Chile Working Holiday criteria consulted do not list a mandatory English or French test. Schools and employers may set their own expectations. A course does not secure an invitation, visa or job.

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Other requirements

Check admissibility and any case-specific police, medical or biometric requirements. Follow IRCC’s personalized document list. Family members do not automatically gain rights through your participation and must check their own circumstances.

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Annual quota

The cycle’s Chile quota has not been confirmed in this research. We show neither remaining places nor invitation odds. Unverified does not mean unlimited.

Process and deadlines

Submit an IEC profile and wait for an invitation; joining the pool does not guarantee one. Guidance gives 10 days to accept an invitation and 20 days from acceptance to submit the permit application. Follow your account’s exact UTC deadline and prepare documents early. A next annual opening date is not established here.

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Permit fees

The base combines CAD 184.75 for IEC and CAD 100 for the open-work-permit holder fee. Biometrics, if required, and other expenses are additional. Creating a profile is free. Recheck IRCC’s fees before paying.

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Decision timing

Waiting for an invitation and permit processing are separate stages. We do not promise an invitation or decision date. Follow IRCC’s current messages and deadlines; another destination’s timing is not a reference.

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How to prepare your application

1. Create your profile through IRCC’s secure account and select Chile’s Working Holiday category. Joining the pool is not a permit application or a guarantee of an invitation.
2. Prepare documents while waiting. If invited, read the instructions: you have 10 days to accept and 20 days from acceptance to apply. Follow the exact UTC deadline in your account.
3. Complete the application, provide the personalized document list and pay official fees. Follow any biometric or medical instructions that apply. Do not upload those documents to this site.
4. Check IRCC messages. If issued a letter of introduction, check its validity and prepare insurance, funds and arrival documents; the work permit is assessed at entry.

An invitation or letter of introduction does not guarantee entry. Check each stage with IRCC before making firm bookings.

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Length of stay

Chile’s Working Holiday stay is up to 12 months. The port-of-entry letter is not the work permit: check its entry deadline and present your documents on arrival. Passport, insurance and other conditions can shorten the actual permit.

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Funds for your stay

Prepare at least CAD 2,500 plus a departure ticket or additional money to buy one. For arrival, IRCC asks for a bank statement issued no more than one week before departure. The minimum is not a complete trip budget.

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Insurance throughout your stay

Insurance must cover the entire stay, including repatriation. Provincial health coverage alone is insufficient. Shorter insurance can produce a shorter permit that cannot later be extended for that reason. Check dates and coverage before travelling.

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Flights and return travel

Be ready to show a departure ticket or additional funds to buy one, separate from initial funds. Also check your POE letter, insurance and application copies before leaving. A letter of introduction does not guarantee entry.

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Working on the permit

Working Holiday uses an open work permit. While valid, the guidance sets no employment-duration or working-hour limit, but you must respect the conditions and restrictions printed on your permit. Check it before leaving the port of entry.

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English or French or other study

IRCC permits individual courses completed within six months that are not part of a longer program. For a program over six months, check study-permit requirements. A language course by itself does not provide work permission.

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Arrival formalities and conditions

1. Present entry documents

   Tell the officer you are coming to work and present passport, introduction letter, insurance, funds, departure provision and application copies. The letter is not the permit: the officer decides admission and issues the document.

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2. Maintain insurance and resources

   Carry medical, hospital and repatriation cover for the entire stay and a bank statement issued no more than one week before departure. Shorter insurance can shorten the permit without a later extension on that basis.

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3. Check the permit before leaving inspection

   Check name, expiry and medical restrictions. Working Holiday should show open employer and unknown location; report any error to the officer immediately.

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4. Apply for a Social Insurance Number

   A SIN is needed to work. Apply using the issued permit and identity evidence required by Service Canada, through its online, postal or personal route. A SIN does not replace immigration permission.

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