Jenza Returner Canada
Already used your first IEC Canada working holiday visa? Depending on your nationality, you could go again with our Recognised Organisation (RO) letter or Young Professionals visa.
Take me back
The best thing to come out of our Canada manifest circle since Ryan Gosling’s cheekbones, each year JENZA is given an allocation of Recognised Organisation (RO) letters and Young Professionals visas. If you’ve already used your first Canada working holiday visa (IEC Canada visa), it's the chance to return to Canada for a further one or two years (passport dependent).
About
RO letter
Available for Australian, New Zealand, Irish and other eligible passport holders aged 18-30 or 35 (nationality dependent), Recognised Organisation (RO) letters allow you to return to Canada if you've already used your first IEC working holiday visa for between 12-24 months. RO letters are also open to UK passport holders, but since Brits can now get a second 12-month IEC visa, you would likely use an RO letter to get a longer visa validity or to return for a third time! But who's counting...
Young Professionals visa
Open to UK, US and other eligible passport holders aged 18-30 or 35 (nationality dependent), the Young Professionals visa allows you to return to Canada if you have a confirmed job offer. UK passport holders will be issued with a 24-month visa, and US passport holders with a 12-month visa. Check out the Eligibility + cost for the exact age requirements and duration for your nationality. Jump to our FAQs for the types of work that would qualify for this visa.
How to apply
The RO ballot
Due to the high demand for RO letters (think Glastonbury tickets in the UK, minus the mud), to make it as fair as possible, we have a ballot system where names are anonymously drawn. Check back here for the exact date, but the first round of invites are usually drawn in January. You can enter the RO ballot now in the eligibility + cost section.
The YP ballot
For UK and US passport holders, a Young Professionals visa is often the last chance you'll have to work in Canada, so our visa allocation can shift faster than a bear in salmon season. Likewise, it works on a ballot system with names drawn in January. You can enter your name into the YP ballot now in the eligibility + cost section.
Eligibility + cost
Select your flag below to check whether your nationality is eligible for a RO Letter or Young Professional's visa. Don't see your country listed? You may be eligible to do a working holiday in Canada through JENZA Work Canada.
Full payment
USD $1,399
Total
USD $1,399
What’s not included
Visa fee
This is paid directly to the Canada Embassy and currently costs CAD $272
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
Biometrics
This is a condition of your visa and currently costs CAD $85
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
Full payment
USD $1,399
Total
USD $1,399
What’s not included
Visa fee
This is paid directly to the Canada Embassy and currently costs CAD $150
Employer Compliance fee
Paid by your employer and currencly costs CAD $230
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
Biometrics
This is a condition of your visa and currently costs CAD $85
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
Good to know
Why is JENZA Returner Canada more expensive than Work Canada?
The RO is basically a golden ticket to work for another two years in Canada, and unfortunately, that golden ticket comes with a price tag. The administrative costs and fees for JENZA and SWAP, our in-country partners, to facilitate the RO letter is unfortunately much higher than the first-time Work Canada experience.
Brits away!
New rules for UK passport holders
Since Dec '23, UK passport holders can now apply for an IEC working holiday visa (AKA, their first visa) until they're 35 and get a second 12-month IEC visa. However, there are still benefits to using an RO letter over your second 12-month IEC visa. Jump to our FAQs for more.
How it works
RO ballot
If your name is drawn from the RO ballot, you’ll then have seven days to pay your program fee - which must be paid in full. If you don't pay within this time, your name will go back into the ballot. You will then receive your ‘Invitation to Apply’ (ITA) with guidance on how to apply for your visa. Like your first visa, you’ll need to attend a biometrics appointment before receiving your ‘Port of Entry’ (POE) letter.
Young Professionals visa
If your name is drawn from the YP ballot, you’ll then have seven days to pay your program fee - which must be paid in full. If you don't pay within this time, your name will go back into the ballot. You'll then need to complete your job application so that we can check your position is eligible for this visa. Your employer also needs to submit your job offer on the IEC employer portal and pay the employer fee. You'll then enter the Young Professionals visa pool by following our instructions, we'll nominate you to receive an ‘Invitation to Apply’ (ITA) and provide guidance on submitting your visa application. You'll then receive your ‘Port of Entry’ (POE) letter.
Get hired or get the intel
Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA over on our BUNAC camp page and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.
Looking for a fresh start? The most liveable cities and the coolest ski resorts, Canada is the ultimate working holiday visa. Join our Canada Crew for all the intel on who can go, when you need to apply, and what types of jobs you can do. Plus, that age old question - summer or winter in Canada? (Both being the correct answer!).
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Who you gonna call?
Fact: Our BUNAC Work Canada program (now called JENZA Work Canada) was one of the first working holiday exchange program between Canada and the UK. That was 30+ years ago, and we've been de-coding Canada visa rules and sending 18-30s off on life-shaping adventures to the Great White North ever since.
Got questions?
Not found what you're looking for? Hit 'Ask a question' below and one of our JENZA Support Squad will come back to you - pen pal style.
Why does JENZA get RO letters?
Our Canada partners, SWAP, are a Recognised Organisation (RO) of International Experience Canada (IEC), the government program that facilitates Canada’s youth mobility agreements. Because they’re awesome humans, they pass a limited number of RO letters to JENZA each year.
How can I get an RO letter?
The RO works on a ballot system, where names are anonymously drawn. The first round of invites are usually drawn in January, so for the chance to get an RO letter, you must register for the RO ballot now. If your name is drawn, you'll then have seven days to pay your program fee.
How long can I work in Canada on a RO?
UK, Australian and Irish passport holders will get a 24-month visa, and New Zealand passport holders will get a 23-month visa. Check the Eligibility + cost above for other eligibility info and the visa duration.
Why is Returner Canada more expensive than Work Canada?
The RO is basically a golden ticket to work for another two years in Canada, and unfortunately, that golden ticket comes with a price tag. The administrative costs and fees for JENZA and SWAP, our in-country partners, to facilitate the RO letter is unfortunately much higher than the first-time Work Canada experience.
How do I get a Young Professionals visa?
These visas are often over-subscribed, so like the RO, work via a ballot system where names are anonymously drawn. The first round of invites are usually drawn in January, so for the chance to get a Young Professionals visa invite, you must register for the YP ballot now.
How long can I work in Canada on a Young Professionals visa?
UK passport holders can work in Canada for up to a maximum of 24 months, however, be aware that most employers generally offer employment contracts for around 12 months. US passport holders can participate for up to 12 months.
What work qualifies for a Young Professionals visa?
Your job offer must be classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. This is broken down into Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) categories and your job must fall within TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3. For more information on TEER categories see here
Does my job offer need to related to my degree?
No, your job offer does not need to be directly related to your studies. It does need to be classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category level 0, 1, 2 or 3. Contact the JENZA team to check if your job offer is eligible.
Can I complete my placement year doing a Young Professionals visa?
Yes, you can complete the program as part of a placement year providing your specific university can confirm the job offer qualifies.
I've already had an RO, can I get a Young Professionals visa?
Yes, but you must be an UK or US passport holder and meet the job requirements in the above FAQs.
What are the new visa rules for UK passport holders?
In Dec '23, the IEC (International Experience Canada) changed the IEC working holiday visa rules for UK passport holders. If you're from the UK, you can now apply for an IEC visa if you're 18-35 (giving you an extra five years vs the previous eligibility) and then also apply for a second 12-month IEC visa. At first glance, this negates the need for a RO letter for UK passport holders - as the primary function of an RO is the ability to return to Canada for a second time.
However, there are still benefits to applying for an RO letter if you're a UK passport holder.
The benefit of the RO letter is the length of time you get on a visa. For example, if you're 35 years old and you've used your first IEC visa and now apply for your second IEC visa, this will be for a further 12-month visa. By the time this visa expires, you will have aged out of the RO program as you need to apply for an RO letter before your 36th birthday. If your plan is to stay in Canada longer term, you may decide to apply for an RO letter instead of a second 12-month IEC visa, as the RO letter is for 24 months.
Our JENZA Support Squad are here to give you the best visa advice that we can based on the eligibility facts. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which route is the best one to go down based on your age and Canada plans.
Ask a question
Didn't see your question? Ask our team here.
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JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as JENZA, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.