For many Italians, a Working Holiday visa for Canada is one of the best ways to live abroad, improve English, and gain international work experience. Canada’s program—known as International Experience Canada (IEC)—is relatively accessible, but the process can feel confusing, especially when documents and translations are involved.
This guide explains how the process works, what documents you need, and when certified translations are required.
What Is the Working Holiday Visa (IEC)?
The Working Holiday visa is part of Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program. It allows Italian citizens to:
- Live in Canada for up to 6–12 months (depending on the current agreement)
- Work for almost any employer
- Travel freely within the country
It’s ideal if you want flexibility rather than a fixed job offer.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible as an Italian citizen, you generally must:
- Be aged 18 to 35
- Hold a valid Italian passport
- Have at least CAD $2,500 in savings
- Obtain health insurance for your stay
- Have no serious criminal record
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Create Your IEC Profile
You start by creating an account on the Canadian immigration portal and submitting your profile to the IEC pool.
Important:
- You are not applying directly for the visa yet
- You are entering a selection pool
2. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Canada selects candidates from the pool at intervals.
If selected, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
From this point, you have limited time (usually 10 days to accept and 20 days to submit documents).
3. Prepare Your Documents
Once you accept the invitation, you must upload several documents. This is where many Italian applicants encounter issues—especially with translations.
Typical required documents include:
- Passport (valid for entire stay)
- CV (in English or French)
- Digital photo
- Police certificate(s)
- Proof of funds (bank statement)
- Possibly a medical exam
Do You Need Translations?
Yes—if your documents are in Italian
Canada requires that any document not in English or French must be translated.
This commonly applies to:
- Certificato del casellario giudiziale (criminal record certificate)
- Certificato dei carichi pendenti
- Certain civil status documents (if requested)
What Kind of Translation Is Accepted?
For Canadian immigration (IRCC), translations must be:
- Complete and accurate
- Done by a professional translator
- Accompanied by a signed certification or affidavit
There are two main acceptable options:
Option 1: Certified Translator
A professional translator provides:
- The translation
- A signed certification of accuracy
Option 2: Translator + Affidavit
If the translator is not officially certified:
- They must swear an affidavit before a notary or commissioner
⚠️ Important:
- You cannot translate your own documents
- Friends or family members are not accepted
Practical Tip for Italians Applying
Italian police certificates are one of the most common documents requiring translation.
You will typically need:
- The original Italian document
- A certified English translation
- A scanned copy of both
Timing matters:
- These certificates are considered valid for a limited period (often 6 months)
4. Submit Biometrics
After submitting your application, you will receive instructions to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
In Italy, this is usually done in:
- Rome or Milan
5. Wait for Approval
Processing times vary, but once approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter.
This is not the visa itself—you must present it when entering Canada.