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
Countries offering working holiday visas
Australia
- Australia's Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people between 18 and 30 to holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds through incidental 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.
- Any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature is allowed, but work for more than three months with any one employer is not permitted.
- 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, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, Italy, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan.
Japan
- Citizens from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, and New Zealand who are between the ages of 18 and 30, and citizens from the United Kingdom who are between the ages of 18 and 25 may apply for a Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens over 25 years of age are in some cases allowed to apply for the visa.
- One-year visa will be granted to the citizens from French, German, Korea and U.K, with no possible extension. Six-month visa will be granted to the citizens from Australia, Canada and New Zealand initially, which can be extended twice.
New Zealand
- Available to citzens of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,Nigeria, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay.
- Conditions vary between countries.
- Most travellers can enrol in one training or study course of up to three months duration during their visit.
United Kingdom
- Commonwealth citizens, aged between 17 and 30, may be eligible to enter the United Kingdom as Working Holidaymakers
- Employment should be seen as incidental to the holiday and therefore work is not allowed for more than twelve months over the two-year visa period.
- Successful applicants will be admitted to the United Kingdom for a maximum period of two years. The two-year period will run continuously from the date the visa is issued, regardless of any time spent travelling outside the UK. This period cannot be extended nor can it be put on hold.