Working in Canada

What if I’m a traveller and just want to stay for one season? Can I live at the hostel?

Sure - some of our hostels offer staff accommodation on-site, some you’ll have to find a place to live on your own nearby. You’ll be able to live at our Resort and Wilderness properties, and at some of our Affiliates. For details on which hostel offers what, check out the Our Hostels section of the website.

Who will I be living with? What is staff accommodation like?

You’ll be living with other employees of Hostelling International - all our staff bedrooms feature single or double accommodation with full living facilities. TV, DVD, cable, and telephone are in every living room of our staff accommodations, the kitchens are fully-equipped... Heck, some of our accommodation units even have fireplaces and dishwashers!

There are slight differences at our hostels, so you’ll want to check them out when you go for the interview.

How long can I work there?

Some of our positions are seasonal, and some are permanent. So long as you meet the job requirements and are legally entitled to work in Canada, you can work for HI.

What do I need to do to work in Canada if I’m not a citizen or resident?

Check out the Canadian consulate in your home country for information regarding work visas. You can also check out Student Work Abroad programs. We’re a law-abiding bunch, so we do not hire anyone who doesn’t already have a valid working permit.

How much time does it take to get a SIN (Social Insurance Number)?

Once you have a working permit/visa, legally enter Canada and get your visa stamped, you can get your SIN on the same day you apply. Just go to any Service Canada location, and they will give you a print-out of your number. Your actual card will arrive about a week later.

What other requirements do you have before I can start to work?

At our hostels with accommodation, we require all employees to undergo a background check. We pay for it, and give you the directions - you just show up and answer some questions.

How do I get there?

Well… Depending on which hostel you want to get to, there are lots of choices. There are international airports in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, & Edmonton - and buses, trains, and cars connect the rest. Remember, you get Greyhound discounts with your HI-Membership (which you get for free as an employee) so get in the air or on the road and come see us!