A working holiday visa is an agreement between 2 countries that allows foreign citizens between the ages of 18 to 30 mostly or from 18 to 35 for some countries, Canadian citizens visas are issued to 36/37 years old for France.
The work & travel visa is temporary allowing a person to study, travel and or work for a year or two living and working abroad in specific temporary jobs in a foreign participating country.
Fostering relations between countries and encourage youth exchange through travel, work and study is at the centre of the visa idea.
You are issued the visa for you only and no family dependants are allowed, unless they have their own visa.
Approximately 60 countries provide working holiday visas for 1 to 3 years in 2023, extendable in a few countries. UK citizens can now obtain a visa for working holiday for up to 3 years until 35 years old for New Zealand & Australia. Also, Australians and New Zealanders can get 3 years visa for working holidays in UK until 35 years old.
Visa application time processing 4-6 week mostly made online through a government website.
Restrictions on a working holiday visa
Each country also restricts you to certain types of jobs you can do, or geographical areas of a country or time allowed working for the same employer.
You do not require a job before arriving in the country.
Employment sectors are from forestry & agriculture, hospitality in hotels, bars and restaurants, retail, care and other seasonal work.
You are also allowed to study for a portion of the time and travel of course.
The visa is longer than tourists receive and you can combine work to top up finances to enable more travel.
Quota limits generally from 200 people from each country, (some countries unlimited) that are allocated a working holiday visa with applications made online at the respective countries embassy or consulate in your own country.
Getting a visa for a working holiday New Zealand citizens are at the most advantage with the most countries to choose from, also British have a number of countries as options.
A visa issued for a working holiday to Australia & New Zealand are one of the most popular with the countries as a destination and Australian & New Zealand governments agreeing reciprocal arrangements with a good number of countries.
Countries update requirements all the time and new countries are added.
Updated July 2022. Older than 35 see work visa option
List of countries issue work & travel visa 2023
Andorra
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia See: Andorra embassy
Argentina
Age range: 18 to 30 years, 35 from New Zealand Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Poland, France, Sweden, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, Portugal, Austria, South Korea
See: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina
Australia
Age range: 18 to 30 years, (Canadians UK citizens 35 years old)
Time scale: 12 months, although 6 months or less working for the same employer. (UK citizens receive up to 3 years work visa).
Countries citizens accept: Taiwan, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, France, Cyprus, Finland, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Malta, Republic of Korea, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Canada, United Kingdom
Subclass 462 visa available for Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, People’s, Republic of Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, United States, Vietnam
See: Australia immigration and visa classes to apply
Austria
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 6 to 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Israel, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chinese Taipei and Canada
See: Austrian Foreign Ministry
Working & travel visa application typical documents required:
- Copy of passport biometric page.
- Return flight.
- Copy of bank account statement showing sufficient finances for the stay.
- Possible medical/TB test if from certain country.
- Birth certificate.
- Medical insurance, possible iris scan and finger prints taken, good character reference.
- Pay application fee to the country embassy.
- Documents must be translated in the language of the country you apply
Belgium
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada, Australia
See: Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs and https://australia.diplomatie.belgium.be/en
Brazil
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Germany, New Zealand, France
See: Brazilian embassy in your country
Germany citizens https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Canada
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
35 years old for Australia, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Chile, Ireland, Germany, France, Czech Republic
Countries citizens accept: United Kingdom, Taiwan, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Latvia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Estonia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Chile, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Ukraine and Australia.
See: Government of Canada
Chile
Age range: 18 to 30 years (18 to 35 Canada and Hungary) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada, Poland, Japan Germany, New Zealand, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Australia Sweden, Luxembourg France, Ireland, South Korea, Czech Republic
See: The Chilean Department of Foreign Affairs or embassy
China
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept for Hong Kong: Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Germany, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hungary, Japan, Ireland, Austria, Canada, Ireland
Taiwan: Ireland, Australia, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, United Kingdom, South Korea, Netherlands, France
See: Taiwan The Republic of China Consular Affairs, embassy or consulate
Hong Kong https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas
Colombia
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: France (Peru, Chile, Mexico apply to the Pacific Alliance work & holiday visa.
See: Pacific Alliance work and holiday visa and embassy in France
Costa Rica
Age range: 18 to 35 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada See: Costa Rica government in Canada
Croatia
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada, New Zealand
See: Croatian Embassy Ottawa or Croatia’s Consulate General in Mississauga or NZ
Cyprus
Age range: 18 to 25 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia See: Cyprus embassy
Czech Republic
Age range: 18 to 30 years or 18 to 35 other countries Time scale: 24 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Israel, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Australia, Chile, South Korea
See: Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Holiday visa for work questions and answers
How many hours can you work on a working holiday visa? Generally no restriction on hours worked in each country.
Do I pay income tax? Yes, if you earn over a certain amount wage per month.
Is the visa for temporary resident? Yes, does not provide long term/permanent residency.
Can I apply for a holiday visa for work twice? Yes, in a few countries.
How much is the work visa? Each country embassy charges a different amount.
How can I find work abroad? Apply to jobs advertised on online job board, agency, and notice boards
Denmark
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Japan, Australia, Argentina, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Korea
See: The Official Portal for Foreigners and Integration
Ecuador
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia See: Apply in Australia at Ecuador government office
Estonia
Age range: 19 to 30 years (Canadians 18 to 35 years) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
See: Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a consulate
Finland
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: South Korea, Australia & New Zealand
See: Working in Finland immigration
France
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Argentina, Canadians, Australia 35 or 36 years) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Brazil, Hong Kong, Uruguay, Taiwan, Colombia, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Japan, Chile, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand
See: Young traveller working holiday
Germany
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canadians 35 years old) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Argentina, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Uruguay, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Republic of Korea (Canadian must be studying)
See: Deutschland.de
Greece
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia & Canada See: Greek government
Hong Kong
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Sweden, Netherlands, Hungary, Ireland, United Kingdom, South Korea, Austria, France, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada
Hungary
Age range: 18 to 30 years (New Zealand 35?) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Taiwan, Chile, South Korea, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong,
See: Embassy of Hungary
Iceland
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Japan
See: Working Holiday Scheme between Japan & Iceland
Ireland
Age range: 18 to 30 years (35 years for Australians & Canadians) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, Japan, USA, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Chile, Canada, Argentina, Republic of Korea, Chile, Uruguay
Working Holiday Visa scheme US students and recent graduates.
Taiwan citizens application form
See: Ireland Department of Justice and Equality
Israel
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Austria, New Zealand, Czech Republic, South Korea, Germany, Australia
See: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Italy
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canada 35 years) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong
See: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand apply Italian Embassy in Wellington
Australia Italian Embassy in Canberra
Canada apply Italian Embassy in Ottawa
Japan
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Korea, Sweden, Chile, Czech Republic, Argentina, Ireland, Hong Kong, Spain, Hungary, Austria, Australia, Slovakia, Portugal, Canada, Lithuania, Netherlands, Taiwan, Norway, United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, Poland, Estonia
See: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Latvia
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canada 35 years old) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Australia, Canada
Youth mobility South Korea (2020)
See: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
Lithuania
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Canada & Youth mobility South Korea (2020)
See: Canada Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Canada
New Zealand: Ministry of Social Security and Labour
Luxembourg
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Canada, Taiwan
See: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg embassy
Malaysia
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia & New Zealand
See: Work and Holiday Visa Malaysia
Malta
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia and New Zealand
See: EU Immigration Portal, Identity Malta
Mexico
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Chile, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, France, South Korea, Peru, Colombia
See: Information and apply at an embassy for Mexico
Monaco
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: UK See: Monaco embassy
Netherlands
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Argentina, Hong Kong, Uruguay, Japan,
See: Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service
New Zealand
Age range: 18 to 30 years Some countries citizens 35 years including UK citizens Time scale: 12 months, (Up to 3 years for UK citizens).
Countries Accepted: Netherlands Argentina, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Austria, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Mexico, Belgium, Israel, Portugal, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Norway, Canada, Japan, Slovakia, Chile, Korea, Slovenia, China, Turkey, Latvia, Spain, Croatia, Sweden, Philippines, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Taiwan, Denmark, Thailand, Estonia, Malta, United Kingdom, France, USA, Uruguay, Hungary, Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, Austria, Finland
Norway
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canada 18 to 35 years visa) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, Japan, Canada, Argentina, New Zealand
See: Norwegian Directorate of Immigration
Peru
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Portugal, New Zealand, France, Colombia, Australia, Chile, and Mexico
See: Apply at the Peru embassy
Philippines
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand
See: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply
Poland
Age range: 18 to 30 years (35 years Canada) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Chile
See: Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Portugal
Age range: 18 to 30 years 35 years Canada Time scale: 12 months (Canada 24 months)
Countries citizens accept: Japan, Peru, Argentina, Australia, United States, Chile Canada, New Zealand, South Korea
See: Portugal government office in your country
Romania
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: South Korea
Russia
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 4 months
Countries citizens accept: French See: Consulate in France
San Marino
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia and Canada
Slovakia
Age range: 18 to 30/35 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Japan, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Taiwan
See: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
South Korea
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months or 24 months depending on country
Countries citizens accept: Italy, France, USA, Taiwan, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Netherlands, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Belgium, Austria, Romania, Israel, Brazil
See: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea
Singapore
Age range: 18 to 25 years Time scale: 6 months
Countries citizens accept: University graduates from; United States, Hong Kong, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands
See: Singapore Ministry of Manpower
Spain
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canada 35 year old) Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada
New Zealand under the Youth Mobility Programme
Sweden
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Uruguay, Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina,
Switzerland
Age range: 18 to 30 years (Canada 35 years) Time scale: 18 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada, Australia & Chile See: Swiss Federal Council
Taiwan
Age range: 18 to 30 or 35 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Austria, South Korea, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Australia, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Slovakia, New Zealand, France
See: The Republic of China (Taiwan)
Thailand
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia & New Zealand
See: Applications at a Thailand consulate
Turkey
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, and New Zealand
Ukraine
Age range: 18 to 25 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Canada
United Kingdom
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Taiwan, Australia, British Overseas Territories, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan (Changes at times) work & live in UK up to 2 year.
See: Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
Uruguay
Age: 18 to 30 years Time: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: Australia, Germany, Sweden, France, New Zealand, Ireland
See: Swedish Citizens For New Zealanders
Vietnam
Age range: 18 to 30 years Time scale: 12 months
Countries citizens accept: New Zealand, Australia