Canada Working Holiday for Costa Ricans (2026)

Age when applying

18–35, inclusive

This age range applies to Costa Rican Working Holiday applicants. Check your age and official requirements before creating a profile; being within the range does not guarantee an invitation.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY

Passport and nationality

Costa Rican citizenship and passport

Your passport must cover your intended stay; the permit cannot outlast it. Residence in Costa Rica without citizenship does not give access to this agreement. You must also meet Canada’s admissibility conditions.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY

Language requirement

Check the requirements and prepare English or French

The Costa Rican Working Holiday list consulted does not name an English or French test. This does not certify your ability or replace IRCC’s personalized checklist. For work, check each employer’s tasks and language needs; no level guarantees a job.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY CA-IEC-APPLICATION

Documents and previous participation

IRCC personalized checklist and prior participation

Costa Rican citizens may participate in IEC twice in different categories; this does not mean two Working Holidays. Check your history. Prepare the personalized checklist, including police certificates and medical exams where required. Dependants cannot accompany you under your participation; any family member needs their own status.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY CA-IEC-APPLICATION

Annual quota

Check Costa Rica’s annual quota in the official season information. Confirm the current annual quota with the issuing authority. An annual quota does not show remaining places.

References: CA-IEC-PROFILE

Application dates

IEC profile and invitation to apply

Creating a profile is not a permit application. If invited, you have 10 days to accept and 20 days from acceptance to submit your application. Follow the exact deadline in your account and avoid the last day. No 2027 opening date is assumed.

References: CA-IEC-PROFILE

Visa fee

CAD 184.75 IEC fee + CAD 100 open permit fee

The official list shows a CAD 184.75 IEC fee and CAD 100 open permit fee. Check whether biometrics or other charges apply, and budget separately for documents, insurance and flights. Confirm amounts before paying through your official account.

References: CA-IEC-FEES CA-IEC-APPLICATION

How to prepare your application

Create the IEC profile first; only an invitation lets you proceed to the permit application. The subsequent introduction letter is also not the permit: border examination determines entry and issues the document if conditions are met.

References: CRD-CA-PROFILE CRD-CA-ARRIVAL

1. Read Costa Rica - Working Holiday on IRCC, checking age, passport and previous participation. Start documents that may take time.
2. Create your account and IEC profile following the official questionnaire. Choose Working Holiday where appropriate; joining the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
3. If invited, check the exact deadline: 10 days to accept and 20 days from acceptance to submit. Use the personalized checklist and pay only through the official channel.
4. If approved, read your introduction letter, its validity and entry-document requirements. The permit is issued at entry; do not work without valid authorization.

We do not handle visa applications or receive application documents. Do not send personal documents to this website.

Length of stay

Up to 12 months

Costa Rica’s programme allows up to 12 months, but passport or insurance validity can shorten the permit. The introduction letter is not the work permit: check its entry deadline and the conditions on the document issued on arrival.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY CA-IEC-ARRIVAL

Funds for your stay

Minimum CAD 2,500, plus departure ticket or funds to buy it

CAD 2,500 is the initial-funds requirement, not the full trip budget. You also need a departure ticket or enough money to buy one. For entry, IRCC requests a bank statement issued no more than one week before departure for Canada. Budget separately for insurance, accommodation and transport.

References: CR-CA-ELIGIBILITY CA-IEC-ARRIVAL

Travel insurance

Full-stay insurance including repatriation

Arrange medical, hospitalization and repatriation coverage for your entire stay. Shorter insurance can shorten the permit and cannot be used to extend it later for that reason. Bring evidence to the border; provincial health coverage is not a substitute.

References: CA-IEC-ARRIVAL

My preparation checklist

Mark what you have reviewed. This helps you organise your trip; it is not a requirements assessment.

These marks are not saved or sent. Reloading clears them.

Work conditions

Open work permit

Working Holiday allows an open permit for most employers without a pre-arranged job offer. Check medical restrictions and permit conditions. Do not confuse it with Young Professionals, which has different rules.

References: CA-IEC-ABOUT CA-IEC-ARRIVAL

Study during your trip

Individual courses within a 6-month period

You can consider English or French during your trip. Courses must be completed within six months and must not form part of a longer programme; a longer programme requires a study permit. Confirm dates and conditions before booking. A course does not guarantee a job or visa approval.

References: CA-IEC-STUDY

Canadian entry examination and permit

1. Carry the letter and file

   Carry passport, POE letter, application copies and departure evidence; the letter does not guarantee entry.

   References: CRD-CA-ARRIVAL

2. Check full insurance

   It must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation throughout the stay; a provincial card is insufficient.

   References: CRD-CA-ARRIVAL

3. Update the bank statement

   Carry a statement issued no more than a week before departure for Canada, showing CAD 2,500 and separate departure means.

   References: CRD-CA-ARRIVAL

4. Check the permit before leaving the border

   Check name, validity and conditions. Tell the officer immediately if you find an error.

   References: CRD-CA-ARRIVAL

Check your permit before leaving border control

Check your name, expiry, open employer, work location and medical restrictions. Tell the officer immediately if something is wrong. Keep a copy and arrange accommodation and transport for your first days.

References: CA-IEC-ARRIVAL

Your first days

• Plan your transfer and keep your accommodation address available offline.
• Before accepting a job, check the contract, work conditions and relevant local formalities.
• If studying, confirm your timetable and location with the school. Save support contacts and review your budget.