What is a Working Holiday?
What is a Working Holiday Visa?
Its a visa category offered by various governments that allows young travelers the opportunity to live and work in their countries for a limited period of time - usually up to one year. The visa holders primary reason for traveling to those countries should not be work, but as a traveller on an extended holiday. This visa type also goes by the name "Work and Travel Visa" or "Work and Holiday Visa" in some countries. Have a look at the Working Holiday Visas page to see a list of which countries offer these visas (or look at the sidebar on any page).
What is the eligibility to get one?
Depends. In general, most visas are for individuals who are 18 - 30 years old (inclusive), are of good health, have no criminal background, are not traveling with children, have proof of funds, and have health insurance. Click on the flag of the country you want to see eligibility for on the Working Holiday Visas page. There will be a link to an official visa application source which will tell you or you can contact for the full eligibility requirements.
How can I get one?
Apply for one. Click on the flag of your home country on the Working Holiday Visas page to see where you can go.
Do they cost money?
There is usually an application fee or processing fee to apply. Additionally, you may have to provide proof of funds in a bank account before you can enter the country to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself for a few months while traveling or looking for work.
Do I have to speak the language of the country I want to go to?
Generally, No...however, Australia does require an English language proficiency for some applicants applying for the Work & Holiday 462 visa and some South American countries may require a Spanish language proficiency.
How many times can I get one?
Depends on the country, but for most you can only apply once.
Where do most people travel to with these visas?
Some popular WHV destinations are Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. This is partially because they have working holiday agreements with numerous countries which enables many young travelers from around the world to come to these countries. Check out the Destination Guides for cities that a lot of working holiday makers go to.
How come not all countries offer these visas?
Its a matter of international relations - the agreements are usually reciprocal in nature which means your home country would have to allow young travelers from other countries to go there in order for you to have opportunities to travel to other nations. For example, Canada allows young people from many different countries the opportunity to have a working holiday in Canada. In return, young Canadians can travel to all of these countries on working holidays as well.
Do I have to pay taxes if I work in other countries?
Yes. Be sure to look into the regulations about what taxes you will have to pay as there is often a chance to get them partially refunded once you leave the country.
What kind of jobs can I do on a working holiday visa?
You are allowed to do an type of work since most countries do not limit the types of jobs you can have. However, you are not allowed to pursue full-time employment (you are only to work for an employer for several months at most). Time restrictions like this usually means that most working holiday makers take on seasonal or short-term work. Below are some common jobs that many working holiday makers end up doing:
What else can I do besides work on a working holiday visa?
Pretty much anything you want (legally of course). Most people use it as a chance to live in and explore a different country. You don't have to work the entire time - you can travel the whole time if you like, you just have the option to work legally if you need to earn money to support your travels. You can even explore other countries in the region (if you have correct tourist visas) and go back to your WHV country when you need to work. Simple as that. But keep in mind that you are only allowed to work for the duration of your visa length and not longer.
Its a visa category offered by various governments that allows young travelers the opportunity to live and work in their countries for a limited period of time - usually up to one year. The visa holders primary reason for traveling to those countries should not be work, but as a traveller on an extended holiday. This visa type also goes by the name "Work and Travel Visa" or "Work and Holiday Visa" in some countries. Have a look at the Working Holiday Visas page to see a list of which countries offer these visas (or look at the sidebar on any page).
What is the eligibility to get one?
Depends. In general, most visas are for individuals who are 18 - 30 years old (inclusive), are of good health, have no criminal background, are not traveling with children, have proof of funds, and have health insurance. Click on the flag of the country you want to see eligibility for on the Working Holiday Visas page. There will be a link to an official visa application source which will tell you or you can contact for the full eligibility requirements.
How can I get one?
Apply for one. Click on the flag of your home country on the Working Holiday Visas page to see where you can go.
Do they cost money?
There is usually an application fee or processing fee to apply. Additionally, you may have to provide proof of funds in a bank account before you can enter the country to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself for a few months while traveling or looking for work.
Do I have to speak the language of the country I want to go to?
Generally, No...however, Australia does require an English language proficiency for some applicants applying for the Work & Holiday 462 visa and some South American countries may require a Spanish language proficiency.
How many times can I get one?
Depends on the country, but for most you can only apply once.
Where do most people travel to with these visas?
Some popular WHV destinations are Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. This is partially because they have working holiday agreements with numerous countries which enables many young travelers from around the world to come to these countries. Check out the Destination Guides for cities that a lot of working holiday makers go to.
How come not all countries offer these visas?
Its a matter of international relations - the agreements are usually reciprocal in nature which means your home country would have to allow young travelers from other countries to go there in order for you to have opportunities to travel to other nations. For example, Canada allows young people from many different countries the opportunity to have a working holiday in Canada. In return, young Canadians can travel to all of these countries on working holidays as well.
Do I have to pay taxes if I work in other countries?
Yes. Be sure to look into the regulations about what taxes you will have to pay as there is often a chance to get them partially refunded once you leave the country.
What kind of jobs can I do on a working holiday visa?
You are allowed to do an type of work since most countries do not limit the types of jobs you can have. However, you are not allowed to pursue full-time employment (you are only to work for an employer for several months at most). Time restrictions like this usually means that most working holiday makers take on seasonal or short-term work. Below are some common jobs that many working holiday makers end up doing:
- Fruit Picking
- Farm Work
- Special Language Tour Guide
- Bartender
- Cafe Barista
- Waiter or waitress
- Temporary Office Worker (Ex. Working for a Temporary Staffing Agency)
- Event Worker (Ex. Working at festivals, concerts, or similar short-term events)
- Retail Salesperson
- Dishwasher
- Seasonal Positions at Ski Resort Areas (ex. Ski Lift Operator or Snowboard Instructor)
- English Language Teacher (Ex. For English speakers in Asian countries)
- Hotel & Resort Positions (Ex. Front Desk, Dining Attendant, Cleaner, etc.)
What else can I do besides work on a working holiday visa?
Pretty much anything you want (legally of course). Most people use it as a chance to live in and explore a different country. You don't have to work the entire time - you can travel the whole time if you like, you just have the option to work legally if you need to earn money to support your travels. You can even explore other countries in the region (if you have correct tourist visas) and go back to your WHV country when you need to work. Simple as that. But keep in mind that you are only allowed to work for the duration of your visa length and not longer.