Hi,

I am an Irish citizen who recently finished university. In late December my friends are traveling to Toronto. They managed to get the working holiday visa for students before the applications closed on the 22nd of October. I didn't get a chance to apply before then. I am unable to apply again until January and even from then there's a 6-8 week waiting process before I can get the visa. I was planning on waiting but now, due to unforeseen circumstances it looks like I will have to go with them in late December meaning that I won't have time to even apply for a working holiday visa. From reading the FAQ and the forum I have learned that it is possible to apply for a working permit at a port of entry or from outside Canada but because of the steps an employer would have to go through, the employer's lack of knowledge/interest in the process, the waiting period and other obstacles I feel that it would be quite difficult for me to find any work or get the permit. I have nothing arranged or any job offers and would only be looking for some part-time hours just to have some funds to last the duration of my stay. I have read that as an Irish citizen I am entitled to visit Canada for 6 months without a visa. If possible I would like to stay a bit longer than this, maybe up to a year and to possibly work while in Canada. Can anyone please advise me on what my best options here would be? Can I apply for this working holiday visa from a port of entry, do I need to apply for it from outside Canada or do I have to apply from my home country? I feel that this type of visa would be better than trying to arrange a work permit. Preferably I would rather not have to leave/wait outside Canada fro the visa but if I have to I can plan from there. Any advise would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

Youth program visas cannot generally be sought at a port of entry or via inland case processing centres. Once you are within Canada, you can seek extension of visitor status inland, or a work permit outside of Canada.

Thanks for your reply David. Could I apply for a youth programme visa from the US or something like that or does it have to be from my home country that I apply? If I was to apply from the US does it still take 6-8 weeks?

Is there any other advise you could give or what would be the best way to be able to stay longer and be able to work if I'm already in Canada in late December? I wouldn't mind flying down to the US for a bit if needs be. I'd have enough funds to last me 6 months in Canada already but I'd like to be able to work so I could stay a bit longer. I don't think an employer would go through all the effort of a work permit to hire me for an unskilled part-time job. Thanks in advance.