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SWAP

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Make money while you travel with SWAP. Whether you're in Canada or abroad, we've got you! Provide expert guidance and SWAP support to have your visa approved.

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Our brand family

Inspo from around the world

Read the SWAP blog

Worldwide

Need to Know

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It's hard out there – this is how you stay competitive. 

Top 5 reasons why employers like people who travel

Europe

Travel Guides

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Picky bits and Pimms packed, it's time to revel in some competition. 

7 must-see sporting events in the UK

Travel Talk

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And we don't even mention the roast dinner...

5 reasons to do a working holiday in the UK

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3 reasons to do a working holiday

Girls at a Japanese train station platform

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From directions to discounts, here's the apps you'll want to hit that download button on.

Best apps for travelling abroad

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When your child says “I’m moving abroad for a year”… start here.

Everything parents need to know about working holidays abroad

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Gain life skills to wow employers and travel stories to wow your friends.

Why you should consider taking a gap year

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Trust us, a working holiday is never a bad choice.

Why you should do a working holiday with SWAP

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Seaside towns, countryside villages, lakeside retreats – the UK is so much more than its southern capital.

Top UK cities to visit outside of London

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To-do list: palaces, foodie markets, and gardens in bloom.

5 London attractions you need to visit in spring

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Not sure what your job options are on a working holiday? We got you covered!

The best Industries to work in during a working holiday

SWAP have been doing working holidays for Canadians for 50+ years. We know our stuff and we love talking about travel. So, if you still have questions about working holidays in UK – visa requirements, types of jobs, which city does the best afternoon tea – give us a call. We'll figure it out together.

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Find out more about UK work and holiday

Balancing profit with purpose, SWAP only works for us if it works for others too. As part of the JENZA Travel Group, we donate 5% of profits to our JENZA Youth Access Scholarship Fund – helping 18-30s from under-represented groups and lower-income backgrounds to experience a SWAP working holiday or overseas internship. Find out more and [apply for scholarship funding](/about-us/).

Where the 5% goes

- You need to be 18-35 years old (you must apply after your 18th birthday and be issued your visa prior to your 36th birthday)
- You can stay in the UK for up to 24 months – with the option to extend to a 3rd year 
- Once your visa is approved you have 90 days to enter the UK 
- You need to have savings of £2,530 which you’ve maintained in one bank account for at least 28 consecutive days
- You must have no criminal record
- You must pay the NHS Health Surcharge Fee (£1,552) – which entitles you to free healthcare during your time in the UK

Am I eligible for a UK working holiday visa?

Work UK

A UK working holiday visa (Youth Mobility Scheme Visa) for Canadians allows 18-35 year olds to do temporary work in the UK for up to 24 months – with the possibility for Canadians to extend their visa to a third year when they are in the UK. As a Commonwealth country, 18-35 year old Canadians might also qualify for a 5-year Ancestry visa – [check our FAQs](/experiences/working-holidays/work-uk#FAQs) or give the SWAP team a call to go over your options. 

Thinking of making the swap? Study these UK working holiday requirements for Canadians and make sure you tick all the boxes.

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UK working holiday requirements

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Global

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Starting in Auckland, hit the ground running on your New Zealand working holiday with hostel nights, job support, new mates, nights out, and all the nerdy bank and tax stuff included. 

Visa processing + 4-day Auckland orientation

Working holiday New Zealand

18-35 | 12+ month visa | Job support

Work New Zealand 

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Earn, learn and explore with a South Korea working holiday – complete with visa support, daily language lessons, and a guaranteed backpacker job at the end of your four-week intro. 

28 days' accommodation, language lessons + job support

Working holidays South Korea

18-35 | 24-month visa | Language lessons

Work South Korea

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Led by our in-country Irish team – kickstart your Ireland working holiday with your first night in Dublin included, job support, and help sorting all the geeky tax and bank account essentials.

Visa processing + arrival set-up

Working holidays in Ireland

18-35 | 24-month visa | Arrival support

Work Ireland

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Starting in Sydney or Melbourne, our Work Australia packages include everything you need to kickstart your Australia working holiday – including hostel nights, job placement services, bank account set-up, future best friends and more. 

Visa, 5 or 8-day arrival package, unlimited backpacker jobs

Working holidays Australia

18-35 | 12+ month visa | Backpacker job

Work Australia

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Full-time student? Spend your university summer holidays earning and exploring in the USA – complete with a pre-arranged hospitality job, medical insurance, visa support and more. 

Pre-arranged 2-3 month summer job 

Summer working holidays USA

Student only | 4-month visa | Summer job

Summer Work USA

More ways to work the world

Call us for all the intel on who can go, when to apply and what jobs you can do.

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UK experts

How can I work in the UK as a Canadian?

What is a UK working holiday visa?

How much is a UK working holiday visa for Canadians?

How does SWAP help with my UK visa application?

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and how do I pay it?

What happens at a biometric appointment?

What’s the age limit for a UK working holiday visa for Canadians?

Where can I live on a UK working holiday visa?

What kind of jobs can Canadians do on a UK working holiday visa?

Can I extend my UK working holiday visa?

What is the UK Youth Mobility Scheme ballot?

What is a 5-year UK Ancestry visa?

Ask a question 

We’ve got answers

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We know the most authentic voices come from our community. Whether you want to come on board as an ambassador, roadtester or as a one-off collaborator for blogs, vlogs or images – earn some extra $$ on the road with a content side hustle. DM us on social after you've booked about working together.

Get it for free (ish)

Earn back your adventures

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Led by our in-country UK team – kickstart your UK working holiday with visa guidance, hostel nights, job listings, welcome socials, and help sorting all the geeky tax and bank account essentials.

3 nights in London + arrival set-up

Working holidays in the UK

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From the cultural capitals of London and Edinburgh to postcard-perfect countryside and historic villages of Wales and Northern Ireland, there’s something for every working holidaymaker in the UK. Whether you're pulling pints in a cozy pub, working in a shiny new tech hub, or chasing sunsets and seasonal work along the coast – the UK offers the perfect mix of culture, adventure and opportunity.

Why should Canadians do a working holiday in the UK?

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Work UK is a SWAP program for Canadians who want to spend up to 24 months working and travelling in the UK. 

Run by our JENZA London HQ (part of the SWAP family) our independent starter pack helps take the stress out of arriving on your working holiday. Before you go, we'll help you apply for your UK working holiday visa and provide all the pre-departure advice and admin. When you arrive, our London team will take over with hostel nights, a job and travel planning session, National Insurance and UK bank account set-up and more. 

What is Work UK?

As a Canadian, it's hard to imagine that a two-hour journey can land you in a new country with a completely different language, culture, history and cuisine. Within a couple of hours of clocking off work, you could be partying in Berlin, wine-tasting in Paris or stuffing your face in Lisbon – perfect for the legendary British work hard play harder attitude.

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European access

Yes, the initial costs to work in the UK are high. But the freedom to do almost any kind of job on this visa can be a good opportunity to advance your career. A cultural, creative and commercial powerhouse – every type of industry is represented in the UK. Or equally, choose to fund your travels with more casual backpacker jobs – traveller's choice.

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Career rewards

For Canadians looking for variety, the UK is a 4-in-1 destination. You can work in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland on this visa. From ancient cities to chocolate box villages and coastal surf communities – the UK has every type of landscape and opportunity under the sun. And don't believe the rumours, there is a lot of sun in summer!

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Iconic destination

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The countries you can work in on your WHV

Typical working holiday jobs for Canadians in the UK are in pubs, bars, restaurants and shops. You can expect the minimum wage – currently £12.71 for over 21s – or above (especially in London where salaries are higher). It’s also customary in major cities for 10-12.5% service charge to be added to a bill – which is usually split between staff. 

From plumbing and programming, you can also work in industries related to your career, education or trade. Here your earning potential will be much higher, especially as you can work for two years with the same employer to really build up your career and connections. You're even able to set up your own limited company to work as a freelancer or on a self-employed basis.

What jobs can Canadians do on a UK working holiday visa?

When you touch down in the UK, you'll meet our London team for a half day orientation. They'll help you sort a local SIM card, UK bank account and National Insurance Number – everything you need to start applying for jobs. Plus, run a workshop with a CV-sprucing session and give you access to job listings of UK employers who regularly hire working holidaymakers. These are mostly in the hospitality world and can be a good option to help you find your feet and figure out you first next steps when you first arrive.

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Find working holiday UK programs with job support, welcome weeks, and cultural experiences. Explore opportunities across London, Edinburgh, Manchester and beyond with SWAP’s in-country support.

UK Work & Travel | Working Holidays for Canadians | SWAP

Check your eligibility in the **visa + cost** section. Then hit ‘Book now’ to create your online account and pay your deposit. You can then access your account anytime at the top of this page. 

Apply + pay your deposit

You’ll need to apply online and pay for your visa directly through the UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration) website, but we’ll provide you with the visa guidance and are on call if you have any questions. When applying for your visa, you’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and submit your biometrics at a local centre – find out more in our FAQs. You’ll also need to schedule a biometrics appointment at a biometrics office, located in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton or Vancouver. If you're in Halifax, there are monthly appointments available and if you're in St. John's, Newfoundland, there are annual appointments. Find out more about the cost, location and process in our FAQs. 

Apply for your visa + biometrics

Once your visa is issued, it’s safe to start ticking off your to-do list and book your flights and travel insurance. Make sure you let us know your flight details so that we can book in your hostel nights. If you’re arriving early and want any extra nights adding, just let us know.  

Book flights + insurance

Your balance is due 8 weeks before you fly. You’ll also have a pre-departure call with our UK team to answer all your questions and make sure you’re UK ready.

Pay balance + pre-departure call 

Our independent starter pack includes three nights’ dorm accommodation at St. Christopher's Inn in London. On day two, you'll meet our London team and do a city walking tour which includes help sorting your UK bank account and National Insurance Number. Day 3 includes a work and travel session covering everything you need to get a job and make the most of being in the UK. And the fourth day includes a return train fare to the iconic seaside town of Brighton. An hour from London, this is self-guided with plenty of time to explore the winding laneways, eat fish and chips, and hang on the beach. 

Arrive in London 

**2026 departure dates**

- 3 August 
- 5 October

**When to apply**

When applying for the visa, customers need to select an intended start date that must be within 6 months of the application being lodged. So if looking to come in June, start applying in January. Once your visa is approved, you have 90 days to enter the UK. 

How and when to apply 

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Not only does London have almost any job you can think of (plus, 'working in London' instantly adds gravitas to any resume), it's also one of the best places in the world _not_ to work. A city where royal palaces and traditional afternoon tea spots rub regal shoulders with creative neighbourhoods and a rebellious subculture – London has it all. The theatres of the West End, world-renowned museums, Premier League football teams, iconic movie venues, lazy pub beer gardens on the river, more food markets than you can wave an over-priced bao bun at... it's somewhere where boredom doesn't exist. 

The cost of living can be high, but wages generally reflect that. Once you've found your pace, London is the most rewarding places to work in the UK. 

Food, music, culture

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A UK working holiday visa is the best BOGFF (buy one get four free) visa deal you'll ever get as a Canadian. You could spend the summer lifeguarding on a beach in South Wales, a winter serving whisky in bonnie Scotland, and still have a whole year to advance your career in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. As pint-sized as the warm beer Brits love to drink, the UK is only about 800 miles from top to bottom – about the same distance from Vancouver to Calgary – so it's all easily accessible at weekends. It also surprises travellers with the variety of its landscapes – from the Caribbean look-a-like beaches in northern Scotland, to the snow-covered mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, and the endless beaches of the south-west English coast.

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales

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One of the best things about living in the UK is how easy it is to access Europe. The UK is a hub for budget airlines and ferries over to mainland Europe, where you can get almost anywhere from Iceland to Ibiza in less than four hours. As a Canadian with a love for adventure, you will never be this close again to so many iconic ancient ruins, historic capitals, party islands and ski resorts – so use this time to really put the 'holiday' in working holiday and have your "that time I backpacked around Europe in my 20s" moment. 

If you're in London, you can also catch the train under the English Channel (we know) to Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels – no airport faff. What a star. No, Eur-a-star.