Working Holiday Visa, in my opinion, is one of best things that young travelers can and should take advantage of. Here are the countries that’s currently offering them.

I’ve used working holiday visas myself.  Along with being able to self-fund my travel plans, I’ve gained valuable skills, meaningful connections, and worked jobs I’d never have considered. I picked apples, mucked out horse stables, helped someone with a caravan business, and even worked on a riverboat. 

That’s to name a few.

A working holiday visa lets travelers like you and me see the world. You get to be more than just a tourist. Working in a country shows you how a country works, and you get to know some cool people along the way. 

Imagine picking some kiwifruit in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty during the week and kayaking along the beautiful East Coast during the weekend without worrying about money!

Traveling to the country of your dreams doesn’t have to be a dream. In this article, I’ll give you info on 8 great countries with a working holiday visa scheme. I’ll let you know what the requirements are, how much it costs, and how to apply.

FYI: This blog’s information is not updated daily. Official information and guidelines should always come from the official government’s sites. This blog should only serve as a general guide and the first point of research for people looking for a working holiday visa.

Most countries make the application process very easy. But first, let me ask you this…

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

A working holiday visa allows you to temporarily work in a country. It isn’t the same as a proper work visa. There are some limits. First, you can only get one working holiday visa per country once in your life. 

But some countries allow you to extend your WHV for an additional one or two years. There are also some exceptions where repeat WHVs are possible, but you’d need to be on special programs for those.

Second, you can work for the same employer for a limited time only. In some countries, it’s 3 months, while in others, you can expect it to be 6 months. Some nationalities can work for the same employer for 12 months in certain countries, but that’s not common.

If you’re looking for a long-term job, a working holiday visa can get you a foot in the door, but you’ll have to apply for a proper work permit eventually.

Benefits of a Working Holiday Visa

Applying for a working holiday visa takes more work than getting a tourist visa. So, why choose one? There are many good reasons:

• You can legally work for a certain amount of months during your stay.
• You can get it easier than a proper work permit.
• You should easily meet the requirements to get one.
• You can plan your stay well in advance, as the WHV only starts when you arrive in the country.
• You get a whole year in a country without having to apply for extensions.
• You don’t need a job offer in advance.
• You need a work permit in most countries to volunteer abroad.

General Requirements: What do I Need to Apply?

The application requirements can differ slightly from country to country, e.g., the amount of money you need to show on entry. But basically, you need the following:

• A valid passport
• Your CV
• A Passport photo for the application
• A completed application form, which you can often download from the embassy of the country you want to travel to
• An “Outline of Intended Activities” to prove that your main intention is to travel
• “Written Reason for Applying,” typed on A4 paper 
• Bank statements to show that you have the necessary funds
• A return plane ticket OR the necessary funds to buy one
• No criminal record
• No accompanying children