Canada RO Nomination
Working Holiday + Young Professional packages
As a Recognized Organization (RO) with the Government of Canada, SWAP is able to offer RO Nomination programs for IEC-eligible candidates.
What is the RO and who is it for?
Loved Canada on your first working holiday visa, having a hard time getting an IEC working holiday visa in the pools, or landed your dream job in Canada? As a Recognised Organisation of the International Experience Canada (IEC) scheme, we have a... Read more
About the RO
What are my options?
The RO Nomination for Working Holiday category
Have you fallen in love with Canada and want to extend your stay? Are you having a hard time getting an 'Invitation to Apply' (ITA) under your country quota? Our RO Nomination quota is highly... Read more
2026 waitlist update
Eligibility + cost
Who can apply?
RO Working Holiday
Application fees
These are paid directly to the Canadian Government and the fees include the IEC fee of CAD $184.75 plus the open work permit holder fee of CAD $100
Biometrics
This is a condition of your work permit application and currently costs CAD $85
Travel insurance
You may be asked for your policy documents at immigration, so you must take out insurance for the full duration of your stay
Support funds
You are required to show proof that you can access CAD $2,500
Flights
We don’t recommend booking flights until your permit is approved
RO Young Professional
Visa fee
This is paid directly to the Candian Government and the IEC fee currently costs CAD $184.75
Employer Compliance fee
Paid by your employer and currently costs CAD $230
Biometrics
This is a condition of your work permit application and currently costs CAD $85
Travel insurance
You may be asked for your policy documents at immigration, so you must take out insurance for the full duration of your visa
Support funds
You are required to show proof that you can access CAD $2,500
Flights
We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved
How it works
What happens if I receive an RO Nomination?
RO Working Holiday
You’ll have seven days to pay your program fee. You will then receive your ‘Invitation to Apply’ (ITA) with guidance on how to navigate the application process. You’ll also need to attend a biometrics appointment and get a... Read more
New around here?
Yet to use your first working holiday in Canada?
Got questions?
We’ve got answers
Yes! If you apply under our RO Nomination + Working Holiday program, you are applying for a regular Working Holiday work permit, you're just obtaining it a different way than when you apply on your own. You will receive an open work permit for Canada that allows you to work in any province or territory for any employer in nearly any position.
The application process is also mostly the same, with a few differences, all of which are laid out in our instruction guide. The length of time you will receive on your visa is still tied to your nationality, as listed on the IEC website.
- Unfortunately, no. With the exception of United States citizens, we can only help those with a passport from one of the countries listed here.
You can apply for an IEC work permit from anywhere in the world, including Canada. If you choose to remain in Canada during processing, you must always have valid status while you're here.
If you’re currently on an IEC work permit that is expiring soon, submitting an application for a new IEC work permit does not afford you maintained/implied status, and IEC work permits are non-extendable. If you wish to remain in Canada after your permit expires and remain eligible for this program, you must apply for a visitor record.
First of all, selection for the program is not guaranteed as spaces are highly limited. Timing also depends on where you end up on our waitlist, when IEC opens the pools, and how quickly we process applications.
If you are selected for the program, IEC processing of fully submitted applications can take up to 56 business days. While it can certainly be processed quicker than that, it’s never a guarantee. We recommend everyone anticipate the longest possible processing time, to be safe!
- The quota for each country listed on the IEC website is completely separate from SWAP’s quota for RO Nominations. If you see additional spaces added under your country, this does not mean that SWAP has more spaces to offer your nationality.
- As with the regular IEC Working Holiday program, you will have 12 months from the date of your approval to arrive in Canada and activate your work permit. You are not required to enter the country at any particular time of year. If you are currently in Canada with valid status, you can wait until you approach the expiry date of that status before activating this new work permit.
- Work permit length is determined by your nationality, as with any other IEC participation. To find out how long your nationality is eligible for, please visit the IEC website.
As mentioned on the IEC website here, your dependents (partner, children, family members, etc) cannot come to Canada with you under the IEC program. They will need to apply separately for their own status in Canada.
Unfortunately, SWAP cannot advise on immigration programs outside IEC, so you will need to consult a licensed immigration professional for more information on your specific situation.
- Yes! You can obtain a total of two RO nominations in your lifetime, as long as you are of eligible age and nationality. These can be used for either the Working Holiday or Young Professional program (or a combination). You can find more details here.
Unlike the Working Holiday program, which offers an open work permit, the Young Professional program offers a closed work permit.
A closed work permit means that you are limited to working for the employer that sponsored you in the exact role and location detailed on your application and job offer. These details will also appear on your work permit. You will not be able to work outside these conditions while on this work permit.
- No, the Young Professional program is LMIA-exempt, which means that your employer can help you apply as long as your job offer meets one of the eligible categories.
- Unfortunately, no, we can only assist those with a job offer with an eligible NOC code in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Yes! We provide a highly detailed resource guide specifically for your employer when you register. There is also a lot of helpful information online on the IEC website. If your employer ever has any questions or concerns, they are welcome to contact us directly.
- Unfortunately, no. Finding an eligible job offer is not something we can help with, nor do we have any resources to connect employers with applicants looking for this type of work permit. We require applicants to have a valid job offer upon registration.
Yes! Receiving an RO Nomination allows all IEC-eligible nationalities to participate in the Young Professional program, even if the program is not normally available to you when applying on your own.
For those who are eligible to apply on their own for the Young Professional program, an RO Nomination would enable you to apply for this program for a second time.
- No, there is no discontinuity requirement when you apply for a second IEC program with an RO. This means that you can go directly from one work permit to another without having to wait in between (which is normally required when applying for a second participation on your own for certain countries). You can find more information on this here
- Yes, but it's a very difficult and time-consuming process, and only allowed under strict circumstances. We stongly encourage all applicants to proceed with this program only if they are confident and happy to commit to their employer.