Youth Mobility and Working Holiday Visa Program

The Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Germany offers a unique opportunity for young people between the age of 18 and 35 inclusively at the time of application to complement their post-secondary education, acquire hands-on work experience, and improve their knowledge of the other country’s language, culture and society, allowing them to travel to Germany for a stay of up to 12 months. To help finance the stay, jobs can be taken up with different employers of the visa holder's choice.

To be eligible for the Youth Mobility visa you must:

Categories according to Fig. 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding

a) Young professionals who wish to obtain further training under a contract of employment and increase their knowledge of Germany’s language, culture and society;

b) Young citizens who wish to do a work placement in a business in Germany as part of their studies or training;

c) Canadian post-secondary students who wish to engage in an occupational activity during their academic vacation; and

d) Young citizens who wish to stay in Germany for tourism and cultural discovery purposes while being authorized to work to supplement their financial resources.

Who can apply

Under the YMA, the German Consulate in Toronto may issue a visa to the following individuals:
- Young professionals who wish to obtain further training under a contract of employment and increase their knowledge of Germany´s culture and the German language
- Young Canadians who wish to do an internship in Germany as part of their studies or training
- Canadian post-secondary students who wish to engage in an occupational activity during their academic vacation
- Young Canadians who wish to stay in Germany for tourism and cultural discovery purposes while being authorized to work to supplement their financial resources

How to submit your application - When applying in person

You must book an appointment with the Visa Section of the German Consulate in Toronto on our website: Contact in consular matters

When applying in person, the visa can be issued for the whole duration of the stay (max. one year).

How to submit your application - When applying by mail

You must send one set of documents of all required documents as listed on the checklist below to the German Consulate in Toronto - Visa section. Incomplete applications may be returned.

Please note: When applied for by mail, the Youth Mobility visa can only be issued by the Consulate for the first 90 days of your stay. As soon as you arrive in Germany, you must contact the Foreigners authority in the same city that you indicated as your first housing in your application to request an extension of your Youth Mobility visa. Your fingerprints will be taken and an additional fee will be charged by the Foreigners authority (“Ausländerbehörde”) in order to process your extension.

Information for applications by mail

· Your passport must be sent in original (visa will be issued as sticker in the passport).

· Please send one set of all documents including one passport size picture .

· All of your signatures on both sets need to be certified including seal by a notary public (in Quebec: notaire), by the German Consulate General in Vancouver or by one of our Honorary Consuls.

· The visa fee must be paid by bank draft or money order in Canadian Dollar (CAD) only to the order of the German Consulate General Toronto when submitting your application by mail . Please check on our website for the valid equivalent amount.

If you live outside of Canada

If you live outside of Canada, you have to hand in your application in person at the German Embassy or Consulate General responsible for the area in which you have your ordinary residence or domicile. You can also apply in person at the local Foreigns authority in Germany. However, please note that if you apply directly with the local Foreigners authority (“Ausländerbehörde”) in Germany, you will not be allowed to work before your application is approved. Depending on the local authority, it might also take several weeks to get an appointment and for your application to be processed.

How to submit your application – When applying in Germany after arrival

Canadian citizens can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand.

However, it is advisable to inquire electronically about the prospects of appointments etc. at the respective office in good time before leaving for Germany due to the possible full capacity of individual offices and in order to avoid inconveniences.

Please also be advised that you are not allowed to start working before obtaining the necessary permit issued by the local immigration authority (“Ausländerbehörde”).

In order to apply after your arrival in Germany, please register at the registration office (Meldebehörde) shortly after your arrival and make an appointment with the immigration authority (“Ausländerbehörde”).

Please prepare your application set according to the information provided on our website. Additional documents might be requested by the competent immigration authority (“Ausländerbehörde”)

Necessary documents

Necessary documents for all national visa applications

Please do not staple the documents!

Additional documents for Youth Mobility Visa applications

Other Working Holiday Programs

Germany has additional working holiday programs based on bilateral agreements with Argentina, Australia, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Uruguay.

The programs are designed to give young people (between the age of 18 and 35 inclusively at the time of application) the opportunity to gain an insight into the culture and everyday life of the other country. The stay can also provide personal experience that helps them to decide whether to study in Germany afterwards. They allow stays of up to twelve months . Vacation jobs can be accepted to supplement the financing of the stay.

Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan and New Zealand can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand. However, we recommend to apply for the Working Holiday Visa in advance, because the visa issued is valid for the whole first year and it allows you to start working immediately after arrival.

Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan applicants have to apply for the necessary visa in advance, but can apply at the German Consulate in Toronto.

In order to prepare your application please check the website of the German diplomatic mission in your home country:

Please note that all documents other than in German or English must be translated into German language.

Incomplete application may result in the rejection of your application. You might have to come again for a new appointment.

Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents. Submission of the required documents does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

Additional information and appointment booking

Additional general information

Appointment booking

All Canadian residents need to apply at the Consulate General in Toronto in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.

How and where to find a holiday job in Germany?

In all larger towns in Germany you can obtain information (e.g. on available jobs) from the local employment office (“Agentur für Arbeit”). However, this office can only be of assistance if you want to spend at least several weeks working for the same employer. Otherwise you are advised to establish direct contact with potential employers.

For general information on employment in Germany please contact: