FAQ visas

• What is a visa?
• How long before I get my visa?
• I am presently on a working holiday and would like to apply for another SWAP program while overseas. Is this possible?
• Can I stay in the host country permanently after my working holiday?

What is a visa? No, we’re not talking about the credit card! Rather, a visa is a privilege granted by a foreign country allowing you to visit, work or study in that country. Working definitely requires the specific permission of the foreign government and this is what we obtain for you. The visa legally entitles you to work for a specified period of time in the country of your choice. The visa is stamped in your passport or is on an official government form that you carry along with your passport. In some countries, you receive a special employment card that you must exchange for a work visa after you have arranged a job.
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How long before I get my visa? The answer depends on the SWAP destination you have registered for. Some visas are issued by SWAP whereas others are issued by the foreign post or government. Generally, if you have submitted a correctly completed registration form, you should have your visa within three weeks and often much faster than this.
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I am presently on a working holiday and would like to apply for another SWAP program while overseas. Is this possible? No. Unfortunately most foreign government agencies require that you be residing in Canada during the application process.
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Can I stay in the host country permanently after my working holiday?
No, this is not permitted. The Working Holiday program encourages cultural exchange and closer ties between participating countries by allowing participants to have an extended holiday supplemented by incidental employment. If someone wants to reside permanently in a country, they will have to contact that countries Embassy or High Commission located in Canada for more information.
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