A working holiday visa is a residence permit that allows travelers to undertake employment (and sometimes study) in a country that issues the visa to supplement their travel funds. A working holiday visa allows holders to live in a foreign country without securing work sponsorship in advance or joining a university exchange program. Most working holiday visas are offered under reciprocal agreements between certain countries to encourage travel and cultural exchange between their citizens.
In some countries, there is growing criticism of working holiday visas because governments are increasingly linking them to labor strategies rather than centering cultural exchange. This is often achieved by tweaking mobility infrastructure, such as visa rules, to direct working holiday-makers toward specific regions and jobs. Scholars have claimed that these kind of visa programs make immigrants more vulnerable to exploitation and sexual harassment.
There are often several restrictions on this type of visa: Many are intended for young travelers and, as such, have an age restriction (usually from 18 to 30 or 35 years of age). There are usually limits on the type of employment taken or the time the traveler can be employed. The visa holder is expected to have sufficient funds to live on while seeking employment. The visa holder should have some health or travel insurance for the duration of the stay (unless the country will cover it).
States offering working holiday visas
Asia Hong Kong The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has working holiday visa agreements with Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers must agree to hold medical, comprehensive hospitalization, and liability insurance. Separately, Hong Kong residents aged 18 to 30 who are British National (Overseas) citizens can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme without sponsors.
India
As part of a new agreement with India, the UK government has agreed (albeit in a non-binding agreement) to participate in a scheme to increase mobility for a limited number of young people between India and the UK. It has some similarities to the existing Youth Mobility Scheme and will allow up to 3,000 Indian nationals per year, aged between 18 and 30 years of age, to come to the UK to live and work for up to 2 years. In return, 3,000 UK nationals a year will be able to do the same in India.
Indonesia Citizens of Australia aged 18–30 years with functional Indonesian language skills and at least two years of university education can apply for a 12-month Work and Holiday visa in the Republic of Indonesia.
Israel
Citizens of Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply for a 1-year Israeli working holiday visa in the State of Israel.
Japan
Japan initiated working holiday programs with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Finland, Latvia, Italy, Israel, Malta, Luxembourg and Peru.
Japan's Working Holiday Programmes are designed to foster young people's global perspectives and enhance friendly relations between Japan and partner countries/regions by providing opportunities for them to deepen their understanding of those countries/regions.
Japan's Working Holiday participants are allowed to work for a certain period of their stay to cover the cost of travel and lodging in partner countries/regions.
Citizens of the following 15 countries who are between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for the Working Holiday Programmes in Japan: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
A one-year visa may be granted to citizens of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom—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.
Malaysia Citizens of New Zealand aged 18–30 can apply for a 1-year Malaysian working holiday visa in the Federation of Malaysia.
Citizens of Australia aged 18–30 can apply for a 1-year Malaysian working holiday visa under the work and holiday visa programme for the Federation of Malaysia.
University students in Malaysia aged 18 to 28 can apply for Winter and Summer Work Travel (under the J-1 visa) to the US.
Philippines Citizens of New Zealand aged 18–30 can apply for a 1-year Philippine working holiday visa in the Republic of the Philippines.
Singapore Undergraduate university students or recent graduates from universities in Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom or United States aged between 18 and 25 can apply for a 6-month Work Holiday Pass under Singapore's Work Holiday Programme. Uniquely, there are no stated restrictions on nationality, only that the applicant be a student or graduate from a university in the listed countries.
Citizens of Australia aged between 18 and 30 who have studied at a university for at least 2 years may also apply for a 12-month visa under the Work and Holiday Visa Programme.
The universities must be recognized by their home government.
South Korea The Korea Working Holiday Program is available to qualifying citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, and USA.
Taiwan
Since the program was launched, Taiwan has signed working holiday agreements with 18 countries, i.e., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. As agreements may differ regarding the quota of participants, age restrictions, and the maximum duration of stay, foreign youth are advised to check the terms of the agreement that pertains to their home country and abide by Taiwan's laws and regulations.
Thailand Citizens of Australia and New Zealand are eligible for a 1-year Thai working holiday visa in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and have tertiary qualifications (full-time courses of at least 3 years).
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 A$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 The Turkish working holiday visa allows a stay of up to 12 months and is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey's Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for young people aged between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) to holiday in the Republic of Turkey and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment.
Vietnam The Vietnamese working holiday visa allows a stay of up to 1 year and is available to citizens of Australia and New Zealand in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Europe Andorra Citizens of Canada, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, South Korea, and the United Kingdom aged 18 to 30 may apply for a 1-year Andorran working holiday visa in the Principality of Andorra.
Austria Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States aged 18–30 can apply for a 6-month and one-year Austrian working holiday visa (which also permits study) in the Republic of Austria. As Austria is a Schengen Agreement signatory the one year Austrian working holiday visa serves as a Type D national visa which permits the holder to stay and work in der Republik Österreich during the visa's period of validity, as well as travelling in the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (i.e., a maximum of 180 days in the 25 other Schengen countries during the visa's 1 year validity).
Belgium Citizens of Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan aged 18–30 may be eligible for a 1-year Belgian working holiday visa in the Belgium Federal Public. As Belgium is a Schengen Agreement signatory the 2 year Belgian working holiday visa serves as a Type D national visa which permits the holder to stay and work in the Kingdom of Belgium during the visa's period of validity, as well as travelling in the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (i.e., a maximum of 180 days in the 25 other Schengen countries during the visa's 1 year validity).
Czech Republic Citizens of Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea and Taiwan aged 18–30 or 35 (18-26 for Australians) can apply for a 1-year Czech working holiday visa in the Czech Republic. As the Czech Republic is a Schengen Agreement signatory, the 2 year Czech working holiday visa serves as a Type D national visa, which permits the holder to stay and work in Česká republika during the visa's period of validity, as well as travelling in the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (i.e., a maximum of 180 days in the 25 other Schengen countries during the visa's 1 year validity).
Denmark Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea can apply for a 1-year Danish working holiday visa in the Kingdom of Denmark.Working holiday , nyidanmark.dk As Denmark is a Schengen Agreement signatory, the one year Danish working holiday visa serves as a Type D national visa, which permits the holder to stay and work in Kongeriget Danmark during the visa's period of validity, as well as travelling in the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (i.e., a maximum of 180 days in the 25 other Schengen countries during the visa's one year validity).
Estonia Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Estonia and Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18–30 years old Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, who may stay in the Republic of Estonia for up to 1 year. From 2020, a Youth Mobility Program for young Estonians & Koreans took effect in Estonia and South Korea.
Finland Citizens of Australia, Canada, (18-35) Japan, New Zealand aged 18–30 can apply for a 1-year Finnish working holiday visa in Finland. As Finland is a Schengen Agreement signatory, the 1 year Finnish working holiday visa serves as a Type D national visa, which permits the holder to stay and work in the Republic of Finland during the visa's period of validity, as well as travelling in the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period (i.e., a maximum of 180 days in the 25 other Schengen countries during the visa's 1 year validity).
France Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay, aged 18–30 (or 18-35 for Australia, Canada and Argentina passport holders) can apply for a 1-year French working holiday visa (Permis Vacances Travail, usually called PVT).