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Working holiday visa

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by TedBaker88 (talk | contribs) at 21:17, 7 April 2010 (Japan working holiday visa now accepts UK applicants from 18-30 (previously 18-25)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the album and music festival, see Working Holiday!

A working holiday visa is a travel permit which allows travellers to undertake employment in the country issuing the visa for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds.

Most working holiday visas are offered under reciprocal agreements between certain countries, to encourage travel and cultural exchange between their citizens.

There are often several restrictions on this type of visa:

  • many are intended for young travellers, and as such have an age restriction (usually 18-30)
  • there are usually limits on the type of employment taken, or the length of time the traveller can be employed.
  • the visa holder is expected to have sufficient funds to live on while they seek employment

The originating countries in this were Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, which all wished to allow their young people to visit the United Kingdom.

It allows young people to experience living in a foreign country, without undergoing the usual costly expenses of finding work sponsorship in advance, or going on expensive university exchange programmes.

In Japan there is a Working Holiday Maker Alumni association, which gives seminars and orienteering to Japanese working holiday goers.

Countries offering working holiday visas

Argentina

  • Argentina's Working Holiday Program [2] provides opportunities for people aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) to holiday in Argentina and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment.
  • The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months and is available to New Zealand Citizens.

Australia

Main article: Working Holidays in Australia
  • Australia's Working Holiday program [3] provides opportunities for people aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) to holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds through short-term employment.
  • The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry to Australia, regardless of whether the holder spends the whole time in Australia. There is an optional 12 month extension available for individuals that have completed three months specified work in designated rural areas of Australia.
  • Any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature is allowed, but work for more than six months with any one employer is not permitted.
  • Working holiday visa holders are entitled to study or embark on a training course for a maximum of four months.
  • Individuals may be subject to medical checks prior to coming to Australia particularly if seeking employment in healthcare or teaching. Applicants will be informed by the online application system if they require medical checks.
  • The Australian working holiday visa is only available to eligible candidates once in a lifetime, although by undertaking work in a specified industry in regional Australia, it is possible to gain eligibility to an additional 12 month working holiday visa.
  • Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hong Kong , Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, Italy, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan. Passport holders from these nations may apply for a Working Holiday Visa subclass 417.
  • Passport holders from the United States, Chile, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand, can apply for a work and holiday visa subclass 462, provided they have a tertiary education (except for individuals from the United States). Bangladesh has signed a work holiday visa agreement with Australia, which will be included with subclass 462, this program was implemented in October 2007. For more information, visit www.immi.gov.au .
  • All visa applicants for Australia visa subclasses 487, 885 and 886 must now have skill assessments prior to making their application. Should visa applicants of these subclasses also be nominating a trade occupation, then they will also have to undertake a Job Ready Test as part of their skills assessment.[1]

Austria

Austria currently has a Youth Workers Exchange Program available to Canadian graduates aged between 18 and 30. The program is called Swap [4].

Belgium

  • Citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand who are between the ages of 18 and 30 may be eligible for a working holiday visa[5][6].

Canada

  • Citizens of Australia [7], Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic[8], France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea[9], Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand[10], Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US are eligible for a Canadian working holiday visa, so long as they fulfil certain criteria which are specific to each country. [2]
  • Citizens of Poland between the ages of 18 and 35 will be eligible from 2009 [3]. Canada has also signed an agreement with Spain. [4]
  • Age limits are from 18-30 for most countries; 18-35 for citizens of Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland. Some countries' programs specify that the applicant must be a full-time student; others do not, and some have separate programmes for students and non-students.
  • The type of work allowed and the maximum duration of stay depends on the applicant's country of residence.

[11]

Chile

Chile offers working holiday visas to citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand[5]. To be eligible a person must:

  • Be aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years of age, both inclusive, at the time of application.
  • Possess a valid Canadian, New Zealand or Australian passport.
  • Provide evidence of holding a medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance to remain in force throughout his/her stay in Chile.

Czech Republic

  • Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 may be eligible for a working holiday
  • New Zealand citizens between the ages of 18 and 30

visa[12].

Denmark

Denmark offers a working holiday visa to Australian, Canadian, Chilean and New Zealand passport holders.

France

France offers a working holiday visa (Permis Vacances Travail, usually called PVT) to Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealander and South Korean citizens. Information can be found on the website of the French embassy of each country. [13] [14]

Germany

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea aged between 18 and 30 may apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Stays of up to 12 months are allowed. Working Holidaymakers may work to finance their trip, but each job can only last up to 90 days. Evidence of sufficient funds for the first three months are required (i.e. 250 euro per month).

Anyone wishing to take part in the Working Holiday Visa scheme should be well aware of the extremely high unemployment rates in the country especially in Berlin. Anyone with little or no German language skills will find it difficult to find adequate employment. Among other nationalities Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders can remain in the country indefinitely if they find long-term work they are uniquely qualified to. This is subject to approval by the government employment office - Bundesagentur für Arbeit. (See §16 AufenthV [15])

Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong has working holiday agreements with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany and Japan [6].
  • Applicants may be granted a stay of up to 12 months.

To obtain a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa you must :

  • Be an Australian, New Zealand, Irish, German or Japanese citizen who is holder of valid passport and ordinarily resident in their home country.
  • Intend primarily to holiday in Hong Kong
  • Be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of application
  • Have sufficient funds and return or onward ticket when you arrive in Hong Kong
  • Be of good health and of good character

Ireland

  • Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand [16] , aged 18–30 (inclusive) may be eligible for an Irish Working Holiday Visa.
  • Republic of Korea has signed "working holiday" program with Ireland. (Dec.21,2009)
  • Now US citizens are eligible to apply for Working Holiday Authorization in Ireland. US citizens applying for this visa must have the following documentation:

-Valid United States passport that will be valid for the entirety of the stay in Ireland.
-2 recent identical passport photographs with your name on the reverse
-Current curriculum vitae (with references)
-Original bank statement showing that you have access to €1,500 (or equivalent) plus a return ticket; or €3,000 (or equivalent)
-Originals of any qualifications obtained or letter from school/college/university (where applicable)
-The relevant fee of €250 or dollar equivalent as advised by the relevant Mission
-Return airline tickets
-Certificate of medical/travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip (based on dates on tickets)

  • Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves for at least the initial part of the holiday or in the event of failing to secure employment. Immigration officials may request evidence of sufficient funds at the point of entry to Ireland.
  • No one person may make use of the scheme on more than one occasion.

Italy

  • Australian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 and Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for a working holiday visa[17].

[18]

Japan

  • Citizens from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom who are between the ages of 18 and 30, and citizens from Ireland who are between the ages of 18 and 25 may apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Irish citizens over 25 years of age are in some cases allowed to apply for the visa.[19]
  • A one-year visa may be granted to citizens of France, Germany, Korea, Ireland, and the UK—with no extension possible. A six-month visa may be granted to citizens of Australia which can be extended twice and once for citizens of New Zealand and Canada.

Latvia

  • Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for a working holiday visa[20].

The Netherlands

  • Citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 are eligible.[21]

New Zealand

  • Available to citizens of Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay. The New Zealand government is currently arranging one with Slovenia.
  • Australia has reciprocal visa arrangements with New Zealand and Australian citizens are able to live and work in New Zealand at any time and for any duration, regardless of their age or education. Although entry may be denied on the basis of prior criminal convictions.
  • Conditions vary between countries.
  • Most travellers can enroll in one training or study course of up to three months duration during their visit.

Norway

  • Citizens of Australia and New Zealand who are between the ages of 18 and 30 (inclusive) are eligible for a one-time, Norwegian working holiday visa.
  • Citizens of Canada who are between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for a Norwegian working holiday visa.[22].

Poland

  • Citizens of New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 will be eligible after the programme is ratified in late 2009. [23]

South Korea

  • Citizens of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the United States who are between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for a South Korean working holiday visa (H-1 visa).
  • Ireland has signed "working holiday" program with Republic of Korea. (Dec.21,2009)
  • The visa is valid for 12 months (18 months for the US citizens)
  • A working holiday visa holders cannot be employed in certain job such as receptionist, dancer, singer, musician, acrobat, or in places of entertainment where they may endanger good morals and manners.
  • To teach a foreign language the same qualification requirements as a "E-2 Language instructor visa" applies and permission must be granted by the chief of immigration office.
  • For more information, go to: http://www.mofat.go.kr/westwhp/html/eng/main.jsp

Singapore

Singapore offers a working holiday visa (6 months validity) for soon-to-be or existing undergraduates and graduates, aged between 18 and 30, from Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States to engage in short working stints in Singapore. For more information, go to: http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/work_pass/other_passes/work_holiday_programme.html

Spain

Spain has signed an agreement with Canada. [4] Spain also has an agreement with New Zealand. [7]

Sweden

  • Sweden offers a working holiday visa to Australian and New Zealand passport holders.
  • Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for a working holiday visa[24].

Switzerland

  • Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for a working holiday visa[25].

Thailand

  • Citizens of Australia [26] and New Zealand [27] are eligible for a 1-year Thai Working Holiday Visa.
  • Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30, and have tertiary qualifications (full time courses with at least 3 years of study).
  • Applicants must have an Australian passport valid for at least 6 months or a New Zealand passport valid for at least 12 months, a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one, and funds of at least AU$5,000 or NZ$7,000, and must be in good health and hold comprehensive medical insurance.
  • Applications must be made at the Thai Embassy in Canberra or the Thai Consulate in Sydney for Australian nationals, or at the Thai Embassy in Wellington for New Zealand nationals.

Turkey

  • Turkey's Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) to holiday in Turkey and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment.
  • The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months and is available to Australian citizens.

United Kingdom

On 27 November 2008, a number of youth mobility schemes were combined into Tier 5 (Youth Mobility), as part of the Points-Based Immigration System. The previous Working Holidaymaker Scheme for Commonwealth nationals was merged with other schemes: au pairs, BUNAC, the Gap Year entrants concession, the Japan Youth Exchange Scheme and the concession for research assistants to MPs[8]. Participating countries must offer a reciprocal scheme to young British nationals. The scheme has launched with just four participating countries: Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand [9]. Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) passport can also apply.

Uruguay

  • Uruguay's Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) to holiday in Uruguay and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment.
  • The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months and is available to New Zealand Citizens.


The USA decided not to participate, and with the abolition of BUNAC there will be no general youth mobility scheme in place between the USA and the UK, although there is an internship scheme. South Africa, from where 17,000 young people a year came to the UK under the Working Holidaymaker scheme, is also not taking part[10].

Other non-participating countries where the previous scheme was popular include India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Ghana[11].

The 24 month validity period runs continuously from the date from which the Entry Clearance is valid. Regardless of any time spent travelling outside the UK. This period cannot be extended nor can it be put on hold.

Although participants can undertake self-funded study while they are in the UK, either part-time or full-time, they cannot switch in the UK to student immigration status. Someone who wishes to stay longer in the UK to complete a full-time course must apply in their home country for a student visa. If someone does complete a course of study in the UK during their Tier 5 leave, they will not be eligible to switch to the Tier 1 (Post Study Work) scheme within the UK.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Australia Emigration Visa Changes for 2010".
  2. ^ List of Working Holiday Visas for Canadians
  3. ^ Youth Mobility Programmes: Canada and Poland
  4. ^ a b http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386921&language=E&docnumber=66
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200906/26/P200906260167.htm
  7. ^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2526600/Working-holidays-unveiled-in-Spanish-Royal-visit
  8. ^ http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/statementofintent/temporaryworkersunderpbs.pdf?view=Binary
  9. ^ http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/?view=PressR&id=8213445
  10. ^ http://www.1stcontactvisas.com/visa-news/post/The-end-of-the-working-holiday-visa-for-South-Africans.aspx
  11. ^ http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/statistics/
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