A limited-time opportunity for young adults, ages 18-30, who want to see the world while working in a foreign country. The Working Holiday Visa circumvents many countries' laws against foreigners gaining employment in their country.
Young traveler tourist on a volcano background at sunset time. Artem Beliaikin. CC BY 2.0.
Looking to explore a foreign country for a year or two while working to earn a living? A Working Holiday Visa allows those ages 18-25/30 to circumvent many work visa laws in foreign countries and get a temporary holiday work visa.
Sixty-two countries and regions around the globe today support the Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This program allows travelers to have an in-depth cultural immersion in another country combined with a temporary job in the country that issued their visa.
The working holiday usually depends on a reciprocal agreement between two countries. It first occurred as early as the 1970s, aiming to encourage international cultural exchange. The eligible population for a WHV is mainly aged 18 to 30, though requirements might vary from country to country. Some popular destinations, such as Australia and New Zealand, see working holidaymakers as a source of tourism and implementation of their labor force.
Another popular working-from-holiday option, the digital nomad visas, differs from WHV in several ways. A digital nomad visa allows visitors to temporarily stay in a country while working remotely for a foreign company with approximately 49 countries worldwide supporting it. While a digital nomad can be considered an alternative to a regular working visa in a certain country, especially with the booming need for remote work, WHV holders find on-demand jobs locally, such as waiters, farm workers, teachers, and retailers. For recent college graduates who seek a restful transition from higher education to formally enter the job market, a working holiday might be a valuable experience for networking, volunteering, and learning.
One rewarding aspect of a working holiday is meeting an abundance of new people, enjoying stunning landscapes, and gaining profound insight into local culture. While most short-term vacations only provide visitors with a limited understanding of the country, being part of the regional economy may be an invaluable adventure.
Other benefits to a Working Holiday Visa include a more cost-effective way to experience a foreign country than most study abroad programs. The average cost of studying abroad is between $15,000 and $22,000 in 2023 each semester depending on the location. A working holiday allows individuals to cover basic living expenses with earnings, so the cost may be slightly more than an airline ticket. For example, Australia’s national minimum wage is $21.38 per hour for anyone who works legally, while the monthly cost of living in a major city such as Sydney is approximately $1107, slightly less than Seattle, according to the cost of the living database, Numbeo. For a “tourist”, the financial compensation for a working holiday is reasonably adequate.
Lastly, compared to a more highly selective, skill-based internship for a big company, college students and recent graduates find working during a supposedly “holiday” period less pressure and more mission-driven. It also allows free time for sightseeing and entertainment rather than a fast-paced regular working environment.
US citizens are eligible to apply for Working Holiday Visas in five countries: Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, and South Korea. Each country has a different application procedure for applying for a WHV, and here below are summaries for each country, along with some real-life experiences from those who have completed the once-in-the-life trip in those places.
Australia
Sydney Opera House at night closes up. Linh_rOm. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Requirements: To obtain your first Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) in Australia, one of the most popular spots for working holidays, applicants must hold a valid passport from a list of eligible countries and be 18 to 30 years of age, with exceptions in some countries allowed. Other requirements include having enough budget to start (about $4000 per person), not bringing a dependent, such as a child, to Australia, and meeting health and character requirements. More details can be found on the official WHV site of the Australian Government Department of Homeland Affairs.
The application process is online and must be completed outside of Australia, starting with creating an account on the Australian Government Department of Homeland Affairs' website. It costs AUD510(approximately $353.67). Documentation such as identity proof, a health and identity assessment, and financial stability evaluation. Most of the applications will be processed within 20 days, but approval of the documentation might take 4-6 months.
What can you do with the visa? You can stay 12 months in Australia under each Working Holiday Visa approval. After one visa expires, you can apply for a second and a third WHV online. The maximum contract length during the working holiday is six months for each employer.
What is attractive about Australia’s working visa is the thrilling nights, concerts, and clubs of Sydney and Melbourne and the abundant animals and sea creatures that many would otherwise never encounter. Any jobs are allowed under a working visa, and some working holidaymakers shared their experience working on a farm first, then shifting to English teachers, au pairs, and so on. Kelly Dunning, a Canadian freelance writer who went on a Working Holiday Visa, reflected on taking care of a house owner’s big dogs in exchange for living in a massive mansion in Sydney, which is memorable to her.
New Zealand
New Zealand 2007. Szymon Stoma. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Requirement: Same as in Australia, the application to work travel in New Zealand is online through the New Zealand Immigration website. Applicants between 18 and 30 with no criminal record and dependent children can apply for a one-year Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand for free, and the number of places and visas allowed is unlimited.
Proof of financial sufficiency, NZ $4,200 (US$2,609) is one of the essential requirements. Other documentation includes return tickets, proof of ability to afford one and proper traveling insurance. After the visa is granted, you must come to New Zealand within 12 months from the issuing date and complete an arrival card before entering.
What can you do with the visa: New Zealand is considered one of the best places to work and study. You can study and train with a Work visa in New Zealand, though that might not be longer than 6 months. It had robust tourism and agricultural jobs, affordable accommodation for travelers, and a robust network of backpackers. Following the philosophy of “work hard, play harder,” New Zealand presented endless opportunities to work at different sites, from plum picking, and bikeman to bartender, and having fun with your work is always the priority of working in New Zealand.
Ireland
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden. Nznomad. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Requirement: To apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Ireland for Ireland as a United States citizen, the applicant must be currently in full-time post-secondary working towards an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree. Though the applicant has to be 18 years of age, there is no upper age limit in Ireland as in other countries.
The application for an Ireland work-study visa is a two-stage, in-person process: First, submitting applications, passport, photographs, CV, or resume with at least two references, college diplomats, or any proof of full-time post-secondary education and a non-refundable application fee that is around $350. Second, the applicants must submit return airline tickets, travel and health insurance, and a United States passport to the relevant Consulate General or Embassy.
What can you do with the visa: Students can stay 12 months in Ireland under a WHV, but they can also travel to other European countries. Big cities such as Doblin can be a vibrant site, while areas with serene scenery such as Killarney are also attractive. Alex Schmidt, an SEO copywriter, and Croatia travel agent, described the Irish cities as colorful and quirky, and she enjoys exploring unique shops in Kinsale.
South Korea
Shopping in Myeong-Dong, Seoul, South Korea.UweBKK.CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Requirement: Applicants to South Korea’s Working Holiday Visa (H1 )must age 18-30 and have a valid US passport. The H1 visa is only open to post-secondary students or those who graduated from university within 12 months, with proof of sufficient funds (minimum of KRW 3,000,000, equivalent to US$2,414) and submission of a traveling plan. More information can be found on South Korea’s ministry of foreign Affairs website.
The primary purpose of the visit under an H1 visa should be a holiday instead of seeking long-term employment. The visa is a one-time only, but United States citizens can receive an extension of up to six months. A maximum of 2000 United States H1 visas per year can be granted.
What can you do with the visa: You can stay in South Korea for 12 months. Job opportunities under an H1 visa in South Korea are relatively limited: For studying, work travel makers may enroll in Korean language courses at private educational institutions but not for regular university degree courses. Work hours are limited to 25 hours per week, and the job area is also restricted to language jobs such as translator, hospitality, and volunteer jobs.
Singapore
Lau Pa Sat, Singapore. William Cho. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Requirement: Applicants must be aged 18 to 25 to apply for a work holiday program in Singapore and have to be undergraduate or graduate students from eligible countries, including the United States. Undergraduates must complete 3 months as full-time students before applying for a Working Holiday Visa.
The program is also somewhat competitive, with a maximum capacity of 2000 applicants at all times. The work holiday pass costs $175, with $30 for a multiple-journey visa, if applicable. Students can apply through Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower website, submitting documentation including a passport, degree certificate and student ID, etc. It usually takes three weeks for in-principle approval (IPA) to process the application.
What you can do with the visa: You can stay in Singapore for 6 months under the Working Holiday Visa. Compared to other working holiday-friendly countries, Singapore’s job market is not for entry-level since many employers require work sponsorship before arrival. It also doesn’t have a minimum salary requirement. However, to seize the unknown, exploring food such as Chilli crab, sting rays and various cultures in Singapore can still be exciting.
A working holiday can be a ticket to a drastically different way of life, especially for young adults who are still in their formative years. Many countries purposefully reserve visa sponsorship for those under the age of 35, making it a limited opportunity worth trying. When considering your gap year plan, college students go for a work travel visa, and taking a deep dive into an unfamiliar culture might be a worthwhile adventure.
Hope Zhu
Hope is a Chinese international student at Wake Forest University in North Carolina studying sociology, statistics, and journalism. She dreams of traveling around the globe as a freelance reporter while touching on a wide range of social issues from education inequality to cultural diversity. Passionate about environmental issues and learning about other cultures, she is eager to explore the globe. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Asian cuisine, reading, and theater.