Youth Mobility Visa (formerly Working Holiday Visa)

What is it? 

As of November 1st, 2022, the new Youth Exchange Working-Holiday Program will allow a total of 4000 people (2000 from either Country) aged between 18 and 35 from Italy and Canada to spend up to 12 months in the other Country and seek paid employment to support themselves and integrate their initial financial resources.

The new Youth Exchange Working-Holiday Program follows the signing in 2020 of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Canada on the Youth Exchange Program. To access the full text of the Agreement, click here.

It represents a significant opportunity for Canadian youth to develop a more in-depth understanding of the Italian language, culture and lifestyle. Furthermore, the Working Holiday Program allows participants to seek work opportunities in Italy for a maximum period of twelve (12) months.
All applicants who meet the requirements may benefit from a Working Holiday Visa for a maximum of two (2) authorized participations.
Applicants are entitled to work for the entire authorized period of stay (even with the same employer).

Where to apply

The Embassy of Italy in Ottawa and the Consulates General of Italy in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver will accept Working Holiday Program applications from Canadian citizens residing in their respective geographical jurisdictions:

• Embassy of Italy in Ottawa for the Counties of Carleton, Dundas, Glengarry, Grenville, Russell and Stormont, Prescott and the Outaouais Region;
• Italian Consulate General in Toronto for the Provinces of Ontario (not already covered by the Embassy in Ottawa), Manitoba and North West Territories;
• Italian Consulate General in Montreal for the Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland;
• Italian Consulate General in Vancouver for the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon Territory.

Similarly, Italian Citizens who wish to apply for a Working Holiday Visa to Canada as part of this program should visit the International Experience Canada website, which contains more information on the process and how to apply. They should also check the instructions and watch the walkthrough guide.

Canadian citizens who wish to participate in the bilateral exchange program must obtain the necessary visa before leaving Canada (or the Country of application). They CANNOT apply for their Visa once in Italy.

Who can apply

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. They must be aged between 18 and 35 on the date of application
2. They must be Canadian citizens and hold a valid Canadian passport.

Required documents if you apply with the Consulate General in Toronto

1. Working Holiday Visa application form carefully and correctly filled out and signed. Please ensure that you leave no blank spaces. If a question does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable).
2. One recent passport-size photo (must have been taken less than six months before the application, no black & white pictures), size 35mm x 40mm, full-face and light colored background. The face must be correctly centred and must be seen from a front view, with both sides visible. Styled poses (looking over one shoulder, head bowed etc.) are not allowed. The head must be free of all headgear, no hats, scarves, headbands or other decorative objects.
3. Your passport, which must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expiry date, as well as photocopies of the first 2 pages and of previously issued visas, if any. Furthermore, there must be at least two blank pages left in the passport.
4. A copy of your round trip flight reservation and full itinerary, or proof that you have sufficient financial means to purchase your return flight. Purchasing your ticket in advance does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
5. Proof of sufficient financial means for your stay, that is to say a minimum of 1,900.00 Euros for twelve (12) months. Availability of sufficient funds must be demonstrated by providing:
   • bank statements for the last 3 months;
   • a credit card in the applicant’s name with sufficient credit.
6. Health Insurance policy covering hospitalization and repatriation, for the entire length of the stay (12 months).
7. A statement in which the applicant declares the intention to travel to Italy and work temporarily to support themselves and integrate their initial financial resources.
8. Prepaid Xpresspost post envelope (or UPS preaddressed envelope) with your address already filled (TO) and the Address of the Consulate as sender (FROM), to return your passport.
9. If you are applying to the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto, you may have to provide a proof of residence within the Toronto consular jurisdiction (utility bill or driving license).
10. Additional requirements by category :
    
    A) Working Holiday visa– declaration (see point 7) of the applicant certifying the intention to travel to Italy and to work temporarily to supplement their financial resources. Please note that the procedure for a “Permesso di Soggiorno” (residency permit) must be initiated within 8 days of arriving in Italy in order to validate the 12 months visa. Therefore, the holder of the Working Holiday Visa is kindly requested to visit the “Questura” (Police Headquarters) with his Canadian passport, and a photocopy thereof, along with 4 passport-size photos and one “imposta di bollo” (tax stamp) of Euro 16, and submit application for a “Permesso di Soggiorno” by filling out the appropriate application form. The addresses and contact information of the relevant “Questura” are available at: http://questure.poliziadistato.it/. Subsequently the employer will apply for the work authorization to the “Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – SUI” (local immigration office).B) Work visa– Authorization to work (work permit) initiated by the employer and issued by the “Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – SUI” (local immigration office) that forwards it electronically to the competent Consulate. The addresses and contact information of the relevant “Questura” are available at: http://questure.poliziadistato.it/.C) Study/Intern visa– Documentation certifying enrollment at an academic institution in the country of origin or residence;– Proof of accommodation in Italy– Documentation on the internship to be carried out in Italy, relevant to one’s field of study;

Incomplete visa applications will not be accepted and will be returned without processing.

Please note that this Consular Office reserves the right to ask for additional documents at any time during processing.

Submission of the listed documents does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

How to apply

Please send all necessary documents (see above), including a money order or bank draft for consular fees payable to the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto and a prepaid and pre-addressed Canada XpressPost envelope or UPS, by mail to the Visa Office at the shipping address indicated below.

Consulate General of Italy
VISA OFFICE
136 Beverley St.
Toronto M5T 1Y5

Please be aware that the Consulate does not take responsibility for applications, passports or money order lost by the postal service.

Consular Fees

Consular Visa fees (non-refundable) are to be paid in Canadian dollars.
Please consult our list of Visa Consular Fees at: Consular services fees

Useful information

Processing time for a visa is approximately 10 days from the date in which you submit the application with all the documents required.
Border Authorities may refuse entry to a foreign national who does not have adequate financial means or is unable to provide full details regarding the purpose of their stay in Italy, or for reasons of security or public order. Make sure to have with you a copy of the visa supporting documents.

The procedure for the authorization of the “Permesso di Soggiorno” (residency permit) must be initiated within 8 days of arriving in Italy in order to validate the national visa. Therefore, the holder of a Working Holiday Visa is kindly requested to visit the “Questura” (Police Headquarters) with his Canadian passport, and a photocopy thereof, along with 4 passport-size photos and one “imposta di bollo” (tax stamp) of Euro 16, and submit application for a “Permesso di Soggiorno” by filling out the appropriate application form.

The addresses and contact information of the various “Questure” are available at: http://questure.poliziadistato.it/. Subsequently the employer will apply for the work authorization to the “Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione – SUI” (local immigration office).