Live and Work in Asia with one of the Asia Working Holiday Visas

 

Asia is home to many diverse countries. The area is popular with travellers and sees millions of them visiting each year. Many visitors to Asia like to extend their stay, and one way to do this is by applying for a working holiday visa for one of the Asian countries that offer this visa. And there are a number of Asian countries that offer an Asia working holiday visa or Asia work and holiday visa. With a working holiday visa Asia you will be able to move abroad to live and work in Asia. So if you would like to extend your stay in Asia or a specific Asian country read on and see which Asian countries offer a working holiday visa so you can live, work and play in Asia.

 

Why Choose Asia as a Working Holiday Destination?

 

Well why not? Asia attracts visitors for many reasons. Many travellers love to visit Asian countries for the diverse cultures, great tasting food and the lower cost of living making the choice to travel to Asia a cheaper holiday option. And Asia has different visas available for people to extend their stay in the region. Work permits, digital nomad visas and the working holiday visa which this post is about.

 

Working Holiday Visas and Work and Holiday Visas Available in Asia

 

If you want to live and work abroad in Asia you are in luck. There are two types of visas allowing an Asia working holiday. The working holiday visa and the work and holiday visa. The main difference between the two visas is the Work and Holiday Visa is aimed at students or recently qualified tertiary students. Whereas the Working Holiday Visa is aimed at anyone aged between 18-30 (sometimes 35) years of age. Both visas allow you to undertake work while you are living in a particular Asian country.

There are a number of countries in Asia with a working holiday visa or work and holiday visa available. Most of the working holiday visas are available to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Canada. However, there are many more nationalities that have arrangements in place. Check out the current list of countries in the Asia area (see following) that have a working holiday or a work and holiday visa available. This list was correct at the time of writing – if you notice any amendments or additions required, please let me know so I can keep it up to date for future fellow travellers.

 

The Requirements of Asian Working Holiday Visas

 

To qualify for a working holiday visa or work and holiday visa you need to be:

• aged 18-30 (sometimes 35 years of age)
• be single
• possibly meet health requirements
• possess a certain amount of dollars in a bank account to prove you can support yourself for your initial stay

 

if successfully granted the visa you will be:

• able to stay in the country for up to 1-2 years
• take work to support your stay
• travel around the country

 

Asia Working Holiday Visas

 

A number of countries located in Asia have a working holiday visa or work and holiday visa available. I have listed them in alphabetical order.

 

Bangladesh Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Bangladesh.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (inclusive)
Other: Meet health and character requirements. Have no dependent children accompanying you. Have a return ticket or sufficient funds for a return or onward fare
Contact: Your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Bangladesh

 

China Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to China.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate for more details and to apply

 

Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Hong Kong.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years at the time of application
Other: be of good health and good character
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Hong Kong

 

Indonesia Work and Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Indonesia. Many people who fall in love with Bali while holidaying there, apply for this visa to allow them an extended stay in paradise. Bali is also a popular digital nomad destination.

Visa: Work and Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia – capped at 1000
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years at time of the application
Contact: Nearest Indonesian Consulate

 

Japan Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Japan. Japan is a popular working holiday destination. It is a popular place to move abroad and live and work in Japan teaching English. Teaching English is the most popular travel job found by working holiday makers to Japan. Working in a Japanese ski resort is fast catching up as a popular working holiday job. Both are great travel jobs to help you immerse yourself in the Japanese culture plus earn a living at the same time.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Denmark, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway,Taiwan, Hong Kong (SAR), Ireland, Slovakia, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom
Length of stay: 12 months, pls note a one year visa may be granted to citizens of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland and United Kingdom. A 6-month visa may be granted to citizens of Australia which can be extended twice and once for citizens of New Zealand and Canada.
Age: 18 to 30 years at the time of application
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Japan

 

READ MORE:
Japan Working Holiday Guide
How to Teach English in Japan
1 Month Japan Itinerary for First Timers
Work and Ski Japan

 

Malaysia Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Malaysia.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Malaysia

 

Philippines Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to the Philippines.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Philippines

 

Singapore Work and Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Singapore.

Visa: Work and Holiday
Available to undergraduates and graduates from universities and equivalent institutions of: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 17 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Singapore

 

READ MORE: How to Spend 7 Days in Singapore

 

South Korea Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to South Korea.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Japan, Hungary, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Taiwan, UK and The United States
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 25 or 30 years inclusive (depending on country of origin)
Other: If granted, you may not be employed as receptionist, dancer, singer, musician, acrobat etc. Also not at places of entertainment which might endanger good morals and manners. Or engage in types of business which go against the tenor of the agreement. This could be not to provide medical treatment and other professions which require certain qualifications in accordance with South Korean domestic law.
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of South Korea.

 

Taiwan Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Taiwan.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Japan, Canada, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, United Kingdom and Ireland
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Taiwan

 

Thailand Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Thailand. For a long time now, Thailand is a popular holiday destination mainly for its low cost of living. Many a traveler have found a job teaching English in one of the English language schools that are quite prepared to sponsor travelers to come and work for them as English language teachers.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Other: have tertiary qualifications (full time courses with at least 3 years of study)
Contact: Australian citizens should contact the Thai Consulate in Sydney. New Zealand citizens should contact the Thai Embassy in Wellington.

 

READ MORE: Life in Thailand as an Expat

 

Vietnam Working Holiday Visa

 

Here are the requirements to qualify for a working holiday visa to Vietnam.

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam

Once you have your visa sorted you will be interested to know about work opportunities. Read Work and Travel Asia for some suggestions on types of work you can do in Asia.

 

How Do You Apply for Asian Working Holiday Visas?

 

To apply for one of the Asian working holiday visas, firstly visit your nearest Consulate or Embassy of the country you would like to apply to. Read all the information, get all your documents together, then apply for the visa by following the instructions. Hopefully, it will be approved and you will be on your way to work and travel Asia.

 

Types of Work Available on a Working Holiday Visa

 

There are different types of backpacker travel jobs available to working holiday makers in Asia. Most work in Asia for foreigners is Teaching English however, other opportunities include working in a backpacker hostel or behind a bar. Depending on your knowledge of the local language you could find a job in retail or in an office. For qualified scuba diving instructors you may find a job at a dive store as there are many wonderful diving spots to be found in the Asian waters.

 

Over 30 – Don’t Qualify For A Working Holiday Visa in Asia – What Do You Do?

 

If you don’t qualify for a working holiday visa for one of the Asian countries with a working holiday visa because you are over the age limit or are not from a participating country that has a reciprocal arrangement don’t stress, as there are opportunities available. Some people do use the holiday visas to their advantage. They stay the full 90 days then do a ‘visa run’. By going to another Asian country for a day or so, then returning to their favoured Asian country for another 90 day stay. Other ways include finding an organisation that will sponsor you such as teaching English in an English language school. What about working on a cruise ship that sails around the Asian islands? There are other opportunities available, read my post Over 30 – Your Work and Travel Options for some working abroad inspiration.

 

A Word on Asia Digital Nomad Visas

 

A number of Asian countries have introduced digital nomad visas which is a visa that allows people who work online to live and work abroad online in another country. Although the digital nomad visa is for those who work online, sometimes you may need to supplement your income with a job. For Asian countries that have a digital nomad visa, I have a post on this here. 

 

Are You Ready to Live Work and Play in Asia on a Working Holiday Visa?

 

Have you worked in an Asian country on a working holiday visa or found other work such as teaching English? Then I’d love to hear in the comments following.

 

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