Working holiday visa

A working holiday visa is a residence 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 inclusive or 35)
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 visa holder should have some kind of health or travel insurance for the duration of their stay unless the country they apply for will cover them
usually the Visa is a "D type" Schengen state Visa, A D-visa is a national visa of a Schengen State, for example, the entry for permanent residency or to hold a work is made possible. The substantive requirements for issuing national visas are consistent with those for the domestically issued residence permit or settlement permit agreement. A national visa holders are entitled to the contract area of the Schengen States to travel to reach the destination country.
usually there is no problem in obtaining multiple Visa's running parallel, for example you could take a Working Holiday Visa for Sweden and Germany concurrently, or allow them to overlap somewhat.
the visa is usually a sticker from the country in which you apply for that goes in your passport.
you can apply for another visa in any country which you hold a current residence permit (D-Type Visa that should come with your Working Holiday Visa) for example, an Australian with a German Working Holiday Visa can apply for a Swedish Working Holiday Visa whilst living in Berlin at the Swedish consulate in Berlin, you don't need to return to Australia to apply for the additional permit, this makes it easy to stay overseas and move to another country once your existing permit has expired
many consulates merely complete the paperwork and forward it onto the destination country for processing, so, it can take quite some time to get a response and it's often difficult for the local consulate to gauge how long the response will take, so plan ahead generously.

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

ASIA： Hong Kong、 Japan、 South Korea、 Republic of China (Taiwan)、 Singapore, Thailand
AMERICA： Argentina、 Canada、 Chile, Uruguay
EUROPE： Austria、 Belgium、 Czech Republic、 Denmark、 Estonia、 Finland、 France、 Germany、 Ireland、 Italy、 Latvia、 Netherlands、 Norway、 Poland、 Sweden、 Switzerland、 Turkey、 United Kingdom
OCEANIA： Australia、 New Zealand

Argentina

Argentina's Working Holiday Program [1] 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, Ireland and France [2] Citizens.

Australia

Main article: Working Holidays in Australia

Australia's Working Holiday program 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 .
New Zealand passport holders can work in Australia without restriction.

Austria

Austria currently has a Youth Workers Exchange Program available to Canadian graduates aged between 18 and 30. The program is called Swap [3].

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 [4][5].

Canada

Citizens of Australia [6], Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic [7], Denmark, Estonia [8], France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea [9], Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand [10], Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, 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.^[1]
Citizens of Poland between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible from 2009.^[2] Canada has also signed an agreement with Spain.^[3]
Citizens of Ukraine between the ages of 18 and 25 are eligible from 2010. There are no restriction for applicants status (non-students).^[4]
Age limits are from 18-30 for most countries; 18-35 for citizens of Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, 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 visa [12]
New Zealand citizens between the ages of 18 and 30
Czech Republic has made the proposition to Australia, but as of Dec/2011, it has not yet been accepted

Denmark

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

Estonia

Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-30 year old Australian and New Zealand citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The work done within that period has to contribute to the main purpose of stay in the country, namely to recreation in Estonia; and those using the opportunity must not work for the same employer longer than three months. The citizens of Australia and New Zealand willing to benefit from the application of those Agreements have to apply for D type visa (long stay) at the Estonian Embassy.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Estonia and the Government of Australia Relating to Working Holiday Visas was concluded on 20.05.2005.

Australian aged between 19 and 30 inclusive [13]
New Zealander aged between 19 and 30 inclusive

When in Europe, you can apply for Estonian Working holiday Visa only in Estonian Embassy in Riga, Helsinki, Stockholm, Paris or Budapest.

Finland

Finland offers a working holiday visa to Australians and New Zealanders. Information can be found on the website of the finnish embassy. Applicant must be between 18 and 30 years of age (inclusive) when applying for the permit. [14]

France

France offers a working holiday visa (Permis Vacances Travail, usually called PVT) to Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean, Argentinian, Taiwanese citizens [15]. Information can be found on the website of the French embassy of each country. [16] [17]

Germany

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan aged between 18 and 30 may apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Citizens of Canada between 18 and 35 years of age may apply as well.^[6] There is no limit on the duration of employment, during the stay of up to 12 months. Evidence of sufficient funds for the first three months are required (i.e. 250 euro per month). 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 do. This is subject to approval by the government employment office - Bundesagentur für Arbeit. (See §16 AufenthV [18])

Hong Kong

Hong Kong SAR government has working holiday agreements with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Japan, and Korea (South).^[7]

Applicants may be granted a stay of up to 12 months.

To obtain a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa you must :

Be an Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, Irish, German, Japanese, or Korean (South) 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

Separately, Hong Kong residents 18 to 30 ages who are British National (Overseas) can apply for UK Youth Mobility Scheme without sponsors.^[8]

Ireland

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand [19] , 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:
- Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary education or graduated within the past 12 months
- 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 [20].

[21]

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.[22]
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 [23].

The Netherlands

Citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 are eligible.[24]

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, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.
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.[25].

For citizens of Canada: The processing time for Norway visa can be long or the limit reached because of high demand.

Poland

Citizens of Canada between the ages of 18-35 are eligible http://geo.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/poland/youth_jeunes/menu-en.aspx]

Citizens of New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 will be eligible after the programme is ratified in late 2009. [26]

South Korea

Main article: Visa policy of South Korea

Citizens of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, Taiwan 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)
Hong Kong and Taiwan(ROC) have signed "working holiday" program with Republic of Korea and Effective from Jan,1, 2011
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.

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/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-holiday-programme/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx

Spain

Spain has signed an agreement with Canada.^[9] As of December 2010, the Spanish authorities have failed to apply this agreement within Spain and most Canadian citizens in Spain under this agreement have not been able to confirm their legal status nor been able to work. Canadian citizens wishing to apply for this visa should be aware of this current situation and should not plan their year upon receiving the visa because they might have to return to Canada after 90 days.

Spain also has an agreement with New Zealand.^[10]

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*
Korean ( South ) between the ages of 18 and 30 ( unmarried ) are eligible for a working holiday visa since 1 Nov 2010

[27].

Switzerland

Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for a working holiday visa [28].

Republic of China (Taiwan)

citizens of the following countries are eligible for a working holiday visa: New Zealand (Effective from June 1, 2004);Australia(Effective from November 1, 2004) ;Japan (Effective from June 1, 2009);Canada(Effective from July 1, 2010);Germany(Effective from Oct, 2010), Republic of Korea(Effective from Jan 1, 2011), United Kingdom(Effective from Jan 1,2012)
In accordance with the Working Holiday Scheme Arrangements signed between Taiwan and other countries, citizens of contracting countries who have meet the following qualifications may apply for working holiday visas:
1.Purpose(Applicants must prove to the ROC(Taiwan)Embassy, Consulate and overseas missions issuing the visas that their primary intention is to holiday in the ROC, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit and will leave the ROC before the visa expires.); 2.Age: The age of applicants shall between 18 and 30 years, both inclusive, at the time of application; 3. Family members of working holiday visa holders, including spouse and children, shall not apply for visas as dependents to come along; 4. Valid passport: (When submitting an application, the applicants’ passport should be valid for more than 12 months upon planned arrival in the ROC.); 5.Valid flight ticket; 6. Living expenses: (Applicants shall be required to have at least NT$ 100,000 or an equivalent amount of foreign currency as their living expenses during their stay in the ROC.); 7. Medical insurance: Applicants shall have full medical and hospitalization insurance during their stay in the ROC.

Thailand

Citizens of Australia [29] and New Zealand [30] 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.^[11] Participating countries must offer a reciprocal scheme to young British nationals. The scheme has launched with just four participating countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand.^[12] Hong Kong residents with British National (Overseas) passport can also apply, so are British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen living across the globe.^[8]

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.

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.

Non-participating countries

While most developed countries participate in a Working Holiday scheme with a number of foreign partners, the United States does not.^[13] Most countries offering these visas exclude Americans in response. There are opportunities for US citizens to work in Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea under similar bilateral programs, however.

South Africa, from where 17,000 young people previously came to the UK under the Working Holiday scheme, is also not part of the British Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme.^[14] However, university level students and recent graduates of any nationality are eligible to apply for a 6-month Internship in Britain through BUNAC (officially known as the BUNAC Blue Card Internship Programme).

Other non-participating countries where the previous UK scheme was popular include India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Ghana.^[15]