The Complete Canada Working Holiday Arrival Guide | Required Documents and Entry Procedures

At the port of entry, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires you to present six documents.

• Passport
• Port of Entry Letter (POE Letter)
• Proof of funds of at least CAD 2,500 (to cover your living expenses for the first three months)
• Travel health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation
• A return ticket, or proof of sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket
• Copies of the documents you submitted with your Working Holiday application

Passport

Make sure your passport is valid for at least one year from your date of entry. If it has less than one year remaining, your Working Holiday work permit will only be issued until your passport expires. If you renewed your passport after your POE Letter was issued (after your application was approved), bring both your new and old passports.

Port of Entry Letter (POE Letter)

Once your Working Holiday application is approved, IRCC issues a Port of Entry Letter (POE Letter). This is a notice that authorizes you to receive your work permit at the airport; the letter itself is not your work permit.
Be sure to bring a printed copy of your POE Letter when you enter Canada. You may be able to show it electronically on a smartphone or tablet, but a printed copy is recommended to avoid connectivity or device problems.
Also check that the details on your POE Letter are correct, including your name, date of birth and application number, before you travel.

Proof of Funds

Prepare a bank statement in English for an account in your own name. The statement must be issued no earlier than one week before your departure.
For example, if you plan to arrive in Canada on January 15, you will need a statement issued on or after January 8. Make sure the balance is at least CAD 2,500.

Travel Health Insurance

You must have travel health insurance that covers you for one full year from your date of entry. Without insurance, you are very likely to be refused entry. If your insurance covers less than a year, your Working Holiday work permit will only be issued for the period your insurance covers, and buying additional coverage after the permit is issued will not extend it. Insurance provided through credit cards is not accepted. Some people may be enrolled in a provincial or territorial government health plan, but that alone is not sufficient because it does not cover repatriation costs.

Return Ticket or Proof of Funds for a Return Ticket

When entering Canada, you need a return ticket or documents showing you have enough funds to buy one. If you have already purchased a ticket, show your booking confirmation or e-ticket. If not, prepare documents proving you have funds in your account to buy a return ticket, such as a bank statement or a recent online account statement.
Keep these funds separate from the CAD 2,500 in living expenses you present at entry. If your preparation is insufficient, the border officer may ask you questions, so plan your finances with a margin and have your documents ready.

The entry process is as follows.

① Complete entry procedures at an airport kiosk

Complete your entry procedures at one of the self-service machines at the airport, called kiosks. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the required information; when you are done, the kiosk prints a receipt.

② Take the printed receipt to the immigration line

Take the printed receipt and line up for the border inspection. When it is your turn, hand the officer the kiosk receipt and your passport, and explain that you are entering Canada on a Working Holiday.

③ Go to the immigration office

The officer will return your receipt and passport and direct you to the room marked Immigration. Proceed to the immigration office.

④ Present your documents

At the immigration office, first present your passport and POE Letter, and then present your other documents when the officer asks for them. If you completed a medical exam at an IRCC-designated clinic, be sure to also present the documents issued by the clinic, such as your e-Medical.

⑤ Receive your work permit and check the details

Once your work permit is issued, do not leave right away. Check on the spot that the following details on your work permit are correct.

• Your surname and given name, date of birth, citizenship and place of birth are printed correctly
• The expiry date is one year from your date of entry
• The Employer and Location fields say “Open”
  *For the RO-Young Professionals permit, the Employer field shows the name of your employer
• If you had a medical exam, the Conditions section does not state that you are prohibited from working in health care or child care

A Working Holiday work permit is valid for one year from your date of entry, but on rare occasions an officer mistakenly issues it for one year from the date the POE Letter was issued.

⑥ Collect your baggage and hand in your kiosk receipt at the exit to complete entry

Pick up your baggage and proceed to the exit. Hand your kiosk receipt to the officer standing at the exit, and your entry is complete.

The freedom to work for almost any employer is a major attraction of the Working Holiday, but it is important to understand the rules on working and living in Canada. Mistakes can affect your future visa applications.

Risks of Unauthorized Work and Overstaying

Staying beyond the expiry of your Working Holiday work permit, or working outside the conditions of your permit, violates Canadian immigration law and may seriously affect your future visa and permanent residence applications. Keep track of your work permit end date and authorized stay, and plan so that you can act before they expire.

Preparing to Transition to Permanent Residence or Another Permit

A Working Holiday is also an excellent opportunity to consider moving on to permanent residence or another work permit as a first step toward immigrating to Canada. Work experience gained during your stay and Canadian education often help with your next application, so it is important to plan your career carefully. Many different plans are possible depending on your background in Japan and your current employment. If you would first like to know what options you may have in Canada, please contact us here.
Contact Shiraishi Visa JP Canada

Once your Working Holiday application is approved and you receive your POE Letter, it is a relief. But this is only the first step—the starting point—of your journey to Canada.
To live the life you are picturing, you first need to receive the correct document (the paper marked “Work Permit”) at the Canadian airport. To spend a fun and meaningful year in Canada, follow IRCC’s instructions carefully as you prepare for your trip.
Prepare properly so that you can enjoy the life in Canada you have been dreaming of.

First Steps After Arriving in Canada

After you enter Canada on a Working Holiday, there are many initial procedures you need to complete to start your new life, such as opening a bank account, getting your Social Insurance Number (SIN), setting up a mobile phone plan and finding a place to live—many of them within a short time.
To help these steps go smoothly, Shiraishi Visa JP Canada offers a range of partner services that support you from your arrival at the airport until you are settled.

We sincerely hope your time in Canada becomes one of the highlights of your life.
And if you start to feel that you would like to stay in Canada longer (as many people do!), please contact Shiraishi Visa JP Canada. We would be happy to help you with your stay in Canada.

Reference: IRCC: Prepare for your arrival (International Experience Canada)