Seasonal and Travel Work Abroad 2026: Visas, Pay and Where to Start

Compare seasonal and travel work in the UK, Australia and Canada: official visa schemes, 2026 fees, typical pay and safe ways to look for roles.

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Want to spend a season working at a ski resort, on a farm or at a summer camp abroad? This guide covers the official visa routes in the UK, Australia and Canada, the main types of seasonal work and typical pay. Visa details were checked on official pages in October 2026.

First, a quick look at the three official schemes:

  • UK Seasonal Worker visa: horticulture (up to 6 months) and poultry work, with a UK sponsor. Fee: £340. You must be 18 or over and usually hold at least £1,270 in savings for 28 days (GOV.UK, October 2026).
  • Australia Working Holiday Maker program: subclass 417 and subclass 462 visas. Home Affairs lists subclass 462 for ages 18 to 30; from 1 July 2026, 417 applicants from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and Korea can apply up to 35. Check Home Affairs for the current fee.
  • Canada International Experience Canada (IEC): ages 18 to 35 (18 to 30 for some countries), from countries with a youth mobility agreement. IRCC fees: IEC CAD $184.75, open work permit holder CAD $100, biometrics CAD $85 (October 2026).

Resorts and hospitality

Ski resorts, beach hotels and park lodges add staff for busy seasons. Many working holidaymakers start here, and some roles include staff housing.

Typical roles:

  • Front desk and guest services
  • Housekeeping and room attendants
  • Bar, restaurant and kitchen staff

Pay examples:

  • Canada: Job Bank median for hotel front desk clerks is CAD $19.00/hour, with a range of $15.50 to $26.50 (reference period 2023–2024, updated November 2025).
  • UK: the National Living Wage is £12.71/hour for workers 21 and over, and £10.85 for ages 18 to 20 (from 1 April 2026, GOV.UK).

In Australia, a Working Holiday Maker can work in any occupation, but condition 8547 limits work with any one employer to 6 months unless an exemption or permission applies (Home Affairs).

Suits: outgoing people who enjoy shift work.

Related guide: Cleaning and Service Jobs: Flexible Shifts, Pay and How to Apply

Farms and harvest

Harvest work covers picking, packing and general farm labour. It is the main purpose of the UK Seasonal Worker visa, and it is a common choice for working holidaymakers in Canada and Australia.

Typical roles:

  • Fruit, vegetable and flower picking
  • Packing shed and grading work
  • Poultry processing (UK, October to December)

Pay examples:

  • Canada: Job Bank median for crop farm labourers (harvesting) is CAD $18.00/hour, ranging from $16.00 to $25.00 (2023–2024, updated November 2025).
  • UK: GOV.UK says the job must pay at least the minimum wage, which is £12.71/hour for workers 21 and over from April 2026.

For Australia, second and third Working Holiday visas usually require "specified work" done on your earlier visa. UK passport holders applying on or after 1 July 2024 are exempt from this requirement (Home Affairs). Check the Home Affairs specified work pages for the eligible industries and postcodes.

Suits: people comfortable with early starts, outdoor work and physical tasks.

Related guide: Immediate-Start Jobs: Roles You Can Begin This Week (2026)

Cruise ships

Cruise work is not tied to a working holiday scheme. Cruise lines hire for hotel, food and entertainment roles, often on contracts of several months.

Typical roles:

  • Cabin stewards and housekeeping
  • Waiters, bartenders and galley staff
  • Youth activity and entertainment staff

Pay example:

  • Canada: Job Bank median for ship passenger attendants is CAD $20.80/hour, with a range of $16.07 to $29.33 (2023–2024, updated November 2025).

Pay on international cruise lines depends on the company and your contract, so read the terms closely. Real cruise employers do not charge for a job offer.

Suits: people happy to share a cabin and work long contracts.

Related guide: Offshore Jobs Guide 2026

Summer camps

Summer camps hire counsellors and support staff for a few weeks to a few months. IEC Working Holiday participants in Canada may be able to apply.

Typical roles:

  • Camp counsellors and cabin leaders
  • Activity instructors (swimming, climbing, arts)
  • Kitchen and maintenance staff

Pay examples:

  • Canada: Job Bank median for camp counsellors is CAD $19.00/hour, ranging from $15.44 to $31.00 (2023–2024, updated November 2025).
  • US comparison: the BLS median for recreation workers is $17.58/hour (May 2025). BLS notes camp counsellors may work only during the summer.

Suits: students and young adults who enjoy working with children and being outdoors.

Related guide: Part-Time, Full-Time, Freelance or Seasonal: Which Job Type Fits You

How to apply safely

  1. Start with the official visa page. Read the eligibility rules on gov.uk, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or canada.ca before you speak to any agency.
  2. Never pay a fee for a job offer. Genuine employers do not charge for a job or a "guaranteed" visa. Pay government visa fees only through the official government website.
  3. Check the sponsor. For the UK Seasonal Worker visa, your certificate of sponsorship must come from a licensed UK sponsor, and it is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned.
  4. Spot recruitment scams. Warning signs include offers with no interview, pressure to decide fast, personal email addresses and requests for passport copies before any contract.
  5. Get the contract in writing. Confirm pay, hours, housing costs and dates before you book travel.

Where to see current openings

  • Canada: Job Bank is the Government of Canada job site, with national listings and job alerts.
  • UK: GOV.UK Find a job lists vacancies across Great Britain.
  • Australia: Workforce Australia is the Australian Government's jobs platform.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for Canada's IEC in late 2026?

IRCC set the final 2026 invitation round for the week of 19 October 2026, with profiles due that morning. Watch the IEC page for the next season.

How long can I stay on the UK Seasonal Worker visa?

Horticulture workers can stay up to 6 months. Poultry work runs from 2 October to 31 December in the same year, and applications must be in by 15 November.

Can I work for one employer for my whole Australian working holiday?

Usually no. Condition 8547 limits work with one employer to 6 months, unless an exemption applies or you get written permission.

1Offshore Jobs 2026→2Part-Time vs Full-Time Jobs→3Immediate-Start Jobs 2026→4Cybersecurity Jobs Canada 2026→

Jobverso is an independent information site. We are not an employer or recruitment agency and do not offer jobs. Pay figures are averages from the sources below and vary by employer and location.

Sources

Last updated: 20 October 2026

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