Work and travel in
Poland
How to
apply
Who can apply?
To work in Poland through the Youth Mobility program, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen
- be 18-35 years old (inclusive),
- live in Canada when applying, and
- have a Canadian passport that’s valid for at least 3 months more than the length of your stay
- for example, if you’re staying in Poland for 6 months, your passport must be valid for at least 9 months
Other requirements may apply, check Poland’s website for more details.
What type of work visa do I need?
You need to apply for a visa and include a declaration form under the Youth Mobility program Poland-Canada. This program has three categories:
Professional Development
Designed for young professionals, including students and post-secondary graduates, who want to gain more training in their field under a pre-arranged contract of employment (job offer).
Internship / On-the-Job Training
Acquire valuable overseas work experience related to your field of study. This program is designed for students who want to complete part of their academic curriculum through an internship or work placement arranged under an agreement between educational institutions.
Working-Holiday Program
This program is designed for young Canadians who want to travel to Poland and work temporarily to help finance their trip.
Do I need a formal job or internship offer?
Yes, you need a job offer (pre-arranged contract of employment) or a formal internship offer if you apply to the:
- Professional Development program
- Internship/On-the-Job Training program
No, you don’t need one if you apply to the:
- Working Holiday program
How long can I stay and work?
You can stay and work in Poland for up to 12 months.
Start your
Adventure
About Poland
Poland is situated in the middle of Europe and lies on the Vistula River, which links the mountainous south with the coastal north. It boasts 14 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites and 16 National Parks and National Reserves. You can enjoy rafting in the south, hiking through forests in the east where you can see free-roaming bison or kayaking through lakes, rivers and nineteenth century canals.
Aside from enjoying Poland’s natural beauty, you can take part in the many festivals including theatre, film, music, and art festivals, watch battle re-enactments or visit medieval and contemporary castles.
Indulge in Polish cuisine which includes much more than just pierogis. Try sękacz (cake made over a fire), oscypek (smoked sheep’s milk cheese from Podhale) or kiszka ziemniaczana (sausage stuffed with potatoes grated with bacon) just to name few.
Poland’s economy is the 6th largest in the European Union, in terms of GDP, and includes aviation, mining and shipbuilding. Poland is the world’s largest exporter of apples, the European Union’s (EU) number one producer of household appliances and the EU’s second top exporter of windows and doors. For the last 20 years Poland has recorded uninterrupted economic growth, the only country in the Western world to do so, with an average growth rate of 4.31 percent over the past nine years.
Plan your trip
The best way to make sure your trip is the experience of a lifetime is to plan. Review our travel checklist to find out what you should know or do before travelling to and working in a foreign country.
Before you leave, remember to register as a Canadian abroad to receive notifications in case of an emergency while you are abroad or of a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
Recognized Organizations
Need help planning? One of IEC’s recognized organizations might be able to help you find a job, transportation, and provide travel advice.
Most recognized organizations charge a fee for their services.
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