Canada Working Holiday Visa Application

Overview

I applied my Canadian working holiday visa (commonly referred to as Worholi in Japan) in Malaysia due to following reasons:

• Malaysia is cheaper compared to Japan, and you can stay for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
• After applying, one needs to complete biometrics certification (fingerprint submission), which can be done globally. In Japan, the biometrics center is only in Tokyo and Osaka.

Application Timeline

5-Jan-2023: The application process starts in January each year. To apply, visit Immigration and Citizenship of Canada, create an account with your GC Key, then log in and apply for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.
16-Jan-2023: I received the invitation letter and clicked "Start application" for the Work Permit. (Note: The application expires if not started within 10 days.)
18-Jan-2023: Start preparing the documents for your visa application. All applications must be completed by the 20th from the application date.

• Family structure form
• English resume (CV)
• Profile photo
• A copy of the passport's front page and pages with stamps

If you're considering medical or childcare work then in addition to the four required documents above, the medical examination results must also be submitted.
26-Jan-2023: I made a reservation for a medical examination by phone. The fee of medical check up was 405.66 RM (90 USD). Health checkups are available in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia. Since I was volunteering on Langkawi Island, I decided to have the medical exam in Penang, which is nearby. I asked a Malaysian colleague to help with the reservation, as it was my first time interacting in the local language. The appointment was set for about a week later. I was advised to reschedule if menstruation occurred, as it would affect the urine alysis. I hoped it wouldn’t happen before the submission deadline, as I was concerned about completing the application within the 20-day timeframe.
01-Feb-2023: I had a medical examination at Penang Adventist Hospital in Penang, which included a urine alysis, blood tests, chest X-ray, and a brief physical exam. The results of the examination were emailed to me after a few days.

07-Feb-2023: I submitted all documents, including the medical examination results, the day before the deadline. The application fee was 272 CAD, and the biometrics registration fee was 85 CAD. I used a card issued by American Express for the payment, as JCB and VISA credit cards are not accepted. Please note that even if your card is included in the plan, it seems that it is generally not accepted.
10-Feb-2023: The Biometric Instruction Letter for fingerprinting arrived. Visit the VFS Global website to find the nearest fingerprint registration facility in Kuala Lumpur and book an appointment for the earliest available date.

02-Mar-2023: The VFS fingerprint collection in Kuala Lumpur is managed through VFS Global.

I was asked to submit my movement history from last year to this year, likely because I had provided too much information when submitting my passport details.

08-Mar-2023: I was informed that there was a deficiency in my medical examination documents, so I resubmitted all the documents provided by the hospital.

24-Mar-2023: Received my working holiday approval letter.

Remarks

The process was completed in about two months after the application started. While 6,500 people from Japan are eligible to apply, the applications will likely close between September and October. According to a French friend, 6,500 people from France applied, but since the total number of applicants is 20,000, it seems the lottery system was in place from the start.

Author

Yuriko Oguro is a physiotherapist by profession. She has been traveling the world for over two years. She started her journey to explore new places and meet people. She believes in living honestly and maintaining both mental and physical health.