Banff Planning Process

  1. Visa: ensure you are eligibile for a working holiday visa & there is availabilty.   Enter the pools (for Open Working holiday visa NOT Recognized Organization/ Internship/Employer specific) We can only proceed with your registration if you are Canadian, or have started your IEC visa application for an open working holiday visa. Note we cannot accept registration until you turn 18 and are eligible for a working holiday visa. For those with late birthdays, we are usually fully booked and you may need to find an alternative plan for your Gap Year if you are both after July 1st.

  2. Register; send your CV/resume, indicate whether you prefer outside/ inside work, and positions of interest.

  3. Invoice issued: after availabilty is confirmed an invoice with payment methods is issued, the booking fee $750 is required to hold a space and proceed with planning

  4. Work:  review of resume & interviews (scheduled via Zoom/Teams )

    *Winter interviews typically start in late June/ July

    *Summer interviews start in March

  5. Flights: once you have a POE & job offer- book flights to Calgary. A return flight is not necessary (however proof of funds could be requested to show you can leave at the end of your visa)

  6. Housing: Confirm estimated arrival dates and length of stay so we can finalize housing- we strive to confirm housing 2/3 months prior to arrival.

  7. Airport transfers: Confirm arrival date/ flight number, and shuttle to drop off at your house ; *book shuttle with Banff Airporter (www.BanffAirporter.com) for drop off directly at your chalet. We will meet you on arrival (between 9am -9pm please)

  8. Documents required at immigration - a file to hold all your documents is handy for immigration which you need to clear at the first Canadian arrival airport ( processing time varies from 45 minutes - 2 hours give yourself time if you are transiting in an airport or to get your onward shuttle to Banff.) Immigration will issue your visa. Check the expiry date of your visa is correct, before leaving the desk and putting all your documents back in a safe spot.

    - Passport - valid for at least 2 years from arrival date for full visa issuing

    - POE (point of entry) letter (note this has your ESTA visa on the second page)

    -Travel insurance *required for duration of visa to be issued (get 2 years)

    *True Traveller https://www.truetraveller.com/iec-travel-insurance?tag=4511

    - Job offer & GYC receipt of payments and housing confirmation

    - Although proof of funds is required ($2500 ) with proof of job and housing, it is not usually requested, however you can use a screen shot from your bank if the arrival Immigration officer was concerned you would not be able to support yourself

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  1. Arrival in Banff: we meet you at your chalet ( 9am-9pm), give yourself 4/5 business days prior to the start of training and work for setting up the administrative bits to get prepared for work, ( SIN number & banking cannot be done until you have your visa).

    • Social insurance number registration @ Service Canada, Canmore (Mon- Thurs)

    • Local Bank accounts set up for your wages to be paid in

    • Alberta healthcare registration for local healthcare 

  2. Explore your new town, get to know housemates, & get ready for work

 

 REGISTER NOW