Working holiday (Youth Mobility)

Germany-Canada youth mobility: age 18 to 35, up to 12 months, apply in Berlin within 90 days; also au pair, internship, volunteering.

Canada is one of the few countries whose young citizens have a bilateral working-holiday arrangement with Germany. The Berlin immigration office calls it the Youth Mobility agreement (service.berlin.de).

Key facts (Berlin service page)

• Age: 18 to 35, measured on the date of application.
• Duration: up to 12 months; the permit issued in Germany is valid for one year.
• Where: applying in Germany is allowed within 90 days of entering (no visa needed, see Entry). The Berlin LEA handles it only if your main residence is in Berlin.
• Legal basis as named by Berlin: § 19c (1) AufenthG and § 29 (3) BeschV. The latter says no approval is needed where an intergovernmental agreement provides that no work permit is required (§ 29 BeschV). The agreement itself (an "Absprache" on youth mobility) is described on the German missions' page.
• Work: holiday jobs to finance your stay; Berlin also states that self-employment is allowed.
• Fee: €56 (sticker) or €100 (electronic residence permit) for Canadians.

What Berlin asks for

• Online application with electronic payment; colour copy of the passport (and the entry-stamp page if already in Germany).
• Proof of own funds of at least €2,000; travel health insurance valid for one year.
• Rental contract with proof of monthly rent, and the registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) for Berlin.
• No concerns about public safety or order; even fines can be an obstacle.

Second participation: a Canadian may take part twice, the second time in a different category. At least one of the two must be category a (further training) or b (internship) (canada.ca). A visa applied for from Canada goes through Toronto only (Entry).

Other short routes

• Any job: § 26 BeschV lets the BA approve any employment, also beyond 12 months and at any age.
• Au pair: age limits, language and hours are set in the BeschV; conditions for Canadians were not verified.
• Internship (§ 15 BeschV): some internships need no BA approval, for example those prescribed in a study programme or in EU-funded programmes (§ 15). Other internships need the permit.
• Volunteering: conditions for foreigners and the permit basis not verified here.
• Visa-free short stay (up to 90 days in 180 under EU rules): no work allowed.