Looking for new opportunities abroad? Would you like to discover a different culture, meet new people and learn a new language? If you are between 18 to 31 years old, the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is for you, allowing you to enjoy an enriching personal, professional and cultural experience. Indeed, you can go on a holiday in one of the countries having an agreement with your home country, with the possibility to work and study for a specific period of time.
Like every year, the Canada WHV has been attracting many students and young professionals. Since mid-October, thousands of candidates have been applying for this visa that entitles young expats to a two-year stay in Canada. Australia, for its part, has recently launched a new campaign to attract more youngsters by 2017. In fact, the Australian government is planning to reduce application fees from $440 to $390. Also, the age limit is shifting from 31 to 35 years as from January 2017. In addition, Australia will be allowing candidates to work for a whole year — instead of six months — for as many employers as a they want.
What is the Working Holiday Visa?
The WHV is a specific type of visa that allows expats of different nationalities to visit a country having an agreement with their home country. To date, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea seem to be the most popular WHV countries. It's an opportunity for young people, who want to explore a foreign country in one year, while dedicating a few months to work — without a lot of paperwork requirements.
In general, you have to be between 18 to 31 years old to be eligible for the WHV. Hence, you can still apply for the visa on the eve of your 31st birthday. In some countries, like Canada, the age limit is extended to 35 years, and the related formalities are quite simple — you need a valid passport and sufficient funds to support yourself for the first three months, as you'll probably be working after that.
Why are Working Holiday Visas so attractive to potential young expats?
Besides holidays and days spend at work, the WHV allows you to study for three months, if this is something that matches with your plans. In all cases, you have to prove that the main purpose of your stay is to have a holiday. What adds to the uniqueness of this program is that it doesn't require specific qualifications, experience, and language skills — except for Singapore, Japan and South Korea.
It's worth noting that you don't need an employment contract, or work permit before moving to the destination country, as it's usually the case for other types of work visas. Thus, you can find a temporary job upon your arrival, in a bar, a restaurant, or in a farm. The idea is to earn some money, so that you can support yourself throughout the rest of your stay. Remember, there's no restriction — you can work for as many employers as you wish during that period.
Quotas on Working Holiday Visas
Some countries, such as Canada apply a quota on the Working Holiday Visa, and candidates can only apply through rounds of invitation. Successful candidates are then chosen at random from a lucky draw, and informed of their acceptance within eight weeks. The remaining formalities have to be completed within 20 days, and once the visa has been issued, the holder can travel to Canada within the next 12 months.
The WHV can be a real adventure, regardless of the country you have chosen to head to — be it New Zealand, Hong Kong, or Argentina. It allows you to open up to new horizons, explore different cultures, follow unusual routines, make international friends, and possibly learn a new language — all very independently. So, what are you waiting for?
Hear it from an expert
Paul, a British citizen traveled to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa. Expat.com managed to grasp some of his wisdom.
How was the application process for you?
As a UK national, the actual work visa process was very simple. It was a question of completing an online form, providing passport details and the fee, and waiting around a week for the visa to be granted electronically.
Why did you decide to go to Australia, and not to another country that also offers WHV?
I wanted to work and live in another country for at least a year, and the two easiest options outside of Europe for a British citizen are Australia and Canada. Since my passion was to backpack around Southeast Asia first, and the fact that I have family in Australia, made Australia the obvious choice for me. Plus, I'm really a fan of hot rather than cold weather!
Would you recommend to other young people to apply for a WHV?
I would absolutely recommend that everyone should try to experience life outside of their own country at least once in their life. A Working Holiday Visa to Australia or Canada is ideal for the English speakers, who may find language barriers daunting, or cultures they deem to be too alien from their own. The WHV is relatively cheap and easy to obtain, and you don't have to stay for the entire year if you don't want to.
In what way this year in Australia has changed your life?
It made me appreciate the viewpoints of different cultures, and showed how at peace one can be if they are disconnected from the 24-hour news and media culture of the UK.
