Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) vs International Experience Canada (Working Holiday)

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to where you want to work and how long you need to stay. Both are working holiday visas for young people with no job offer required, but they differ significantly in eligibility, cost, and duration. Your citizenship and preferred destination will likely determine which one is actually available to you.

Further reading: Australia 417 Working Holiday guide · Canada IEC working holiday guide

1. 01

   Your citizenship

   Pick WHM 417

   Pick Australia WHM 417 if you hold a Belgian, British, Canadian, Japanese, Korean, or other restricted-list passport.

   Pick IEC

   Pick Canada IEC if your country isn't on Australia's eligibility list, as Canada accepts most nationalities.

2. 02

   Duration needed

   Pick WHM 417

   Pick Australia WHM 417 if one year is enough for your working holiday plans.

   Pick IEC

   Pick Canada IEC if you want up to two years to work and travel in one country.

3. 03

   Budget priority

   Pick WHM 417

   Pick Australia WHM 417 if visa cost isn't a major concern at $495 USD.

   Pick IEC

   Pick Canada IEC if you want the cheaper option at just $150 USD.

4. 04

   Age eligibility

   Pick WHM 417

   Pick Australia WHM 417 if you're between 18-30 years old.

   Pick IEC

   Pick Canada IEC if you're 31-35, as it allows older applicants.

Is the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the International Experience Canada (Working Holiday) faster to get?

They are similar: the WHM 417 takes about 1–2 months and the IEC about 1–3 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

Which costs more, the WHM 417 or the IEC?

The Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) (WHM 417) costs more, about $430 in official fees, versus $270 for the International Experience Canada (Working Holiday) (IEC). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) or the International Experience Canada (Working Holiday)?

The WHM 417 does not lead directly to permanent residency, while the IEC does not lead directly to permanent residency. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the WHM 417 or the IEC?

No. Neither the WHM 417 nor the IEC requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.