One way to work and travel abroad is to go on a working holiday visa – as long as you qualify, that is! And there are many countries with reciprocal working holiday visas. Read on and get the lowdown on which countries have a working holiday visa available. With one you will be able to spend up to one year, sometimes two years, in the country where you can undertake work to help fund your travel. Without further ado, read on and discover your next working holiday destination.

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

In general, a working holiday visa is a cultural exchange between countries. It allows travellers of a certain age, mostly 18-30 years or 18-35 years have an extended stay in another country. This is usually up to 1 or 2 years where they can undertake work to support themselves while in the country and to fund further travels. There are two types of working holiday visa, the Working Holiday visa and the Work and Holiday visa. Here are the main differences.

Differences between the Working Holiday and the Work and Holiday Visa

Both the Working Holiday and the Work and Holiday Visa are basically a residence permit. If you qualify for one you can undertake employment in the country issuing the visa to supplement your travel funds. Sometimes there are restrictions on the type of work you can do in some of the countries. This is why you often here of typical ‘backpacker jobs’.

The main difference between the two visas is the Work and Holiday Visa is aimed at students or recently qualified tertiary students. Where as 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 destination. 

Working Holiday Visa at a glance

In general:

• Your main intention is to holiday and take incidental work.
• Must be 18 to 30 years (sometimes 18 to 35 years) inclusive at the time of your application.
• Be single or married without children.
• Prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your initial stay.
• Have a return and or onward ticket or sufficient funds so you can leave the country at the end of your stay.
• Each country issues a working holiday visa once in your life time. So make the most of your time. Most countries allow you to stay for 12 months. Some allow a stay of up to 24 months.

Work and Holiday Visa at a glance

In general:

• Your main intention is to holiday and take incident work.
• Be 18 to 30 years (sometimes 18 to 35 years) inclusive at the time of your application.
• Hold a tertiary qualification or be studying full-time
• Speak English
• Obtain a letter of support from your Government.

Over 30? Don’t worry if you don’t qualify for a working holiday and or work and holiday visa. There are still many work opportunities available to you as you travel the world. Read my Over 30 Work and Travel Options post here or you can purchase my Over 30 Work and Travel ebook here. Also check out my comprehensive list of countries with a digital nomad visa. They don’t have an age limit on them, but they do require you to be making money online. Get the lowdown on digital nomad visas here.

Countries With A Working Holiday Visa

The list of countries which offer working holiday visas and work and holiday visas is huge. This is great because you will have a lot of choice when it comes to where you can go. Some citizens of some countries have more choice than others. Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and those from the UK have more choice than some others. Following is an alphabetical list of countries with a working holiday and or work and holiday visa arrangement.

NOTE: These working holiday visa requirements are subject to change. Also, countries are negotiating working holiday visas and more arrangements are becoming available all the time. 

TIP: Before applying for a working holiday visa do your own research and ensure you understand what is involved.

The following working holiday visa destinations are listed in alphabetical order.

Argentina

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Denmark, France, Ireland and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy of Argentina for more details and to apply

Australia

Visa: Working Holiday (Subclass 417)
Available to citizens of: United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Taiwan
Visa: Work and Holiday (Subclass 462)
Available to citizens of: Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Poland, Turkey, Thailand, Uruguay, USA
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Australian High Commission or Consulate for more details and to apply
Australia also has the Trans-Tasman Agreement with New Zealand allowing New Zealanders to come to Australia to live and work.

READ MORE: Australia Working Holiday

Principality of Andorra

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Principality of Andorra.

Austria

Visa: Working Holiday (which only permits study)
Available to citizens of: Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan
Length of stay: 6 months and 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Austria.
Austria currently has a youth workers exchange program available to Canadian students and graduates aged between 18 And 30 allowing them to stay in Austria for up to 6 months to gain experience in Tourism, Agriculture And Forestry. You must be a Canadian who is a full-time post-secondary students and/or graduate, 18-30 years of age. Part-time and high school students not eligible.

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

Belgium

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Belgium

Brazil

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: France, Germany, South Korea and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Brazil for more details and to apply

READ MORE: Brazil Working Holiday

Canada

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Length of stay: 12 months-24 months, depending on country arrangement
Aged: 18-30 years, some up to 35 years depending on country arrangement inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Brazil for more details and to apply

READ MORE: Canada Working Holiday

Chile

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, South Korea, New Zealand and Sweden
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive (or 35 years in the case of Canada and Hungary)
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Chile for more details and to apply
Types of work for working holiday makers: Teaching English, working in the ski resorts, volunteering
Also citizens of Colombia, Mexico and Peru can apply to the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru) for a work and holiday visa in Chile

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

Columbia

Visa: Work and Holiday
Available to citizens of: France
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Columbia for more details and to apply
Citizens of Chile, Mexico and Peru can apply to the Pacific Alliance  (Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru) for a work and holiday visa in Columbia

Costa Rica

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Canada
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-35 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Costa Rica for more details and to apply

Croatia

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Canada and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Croatia.

Cyprus

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 25 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Cyprus

Czech Republic

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Canada, Chile, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Czechoslovakia

Denmark

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of:  Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Danish Embassy or Consulate

Europe (European Union, EU)

Europe does not have a working holiday but individual countries do. They are: Andorra, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.

Europe is made up of a number of countries and when they belong to the EU they can live and work in each other’s country. EU countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Check out the offical European Union website at www.europa.eu

Estonia

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (18 to 35 years for Canadians)
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Estonia

READ MORE: Estonia Working Holiday

Finland

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

France

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia (4 months) and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (35 years in some cases)
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of France

READ MORE: France Working Holiday

Germany

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (35 years for Canada)
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Germany

READ MORE: Germany Working Holiday

Greece

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia and Canada
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Greece

Hong Kong

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Sweden 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

Hungary

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Hungary

Iceland

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of:  Australia
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Icelandic Embassy or Consulate

Indonesia

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

READ MORE: Bali Digital Nomad Guide

Ireland (Republic of)

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United States of America and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Ireland

READ MORE: Ireland Working Holiday

Israel

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Israel

READ MORE: Many travellers to Israel have long volunteered on a Kibbutz or Moshav. Here’s how you can be a Kibbutz Volunteer

Italy

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months (24 months for Canadian citizens)
Age: 18 to 30 years (35 years for Canadian citizens
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Italy

READ MORE: Italy Working Holiday

Japan

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

Latvia

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

Lithuania

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years inclusive
Contact: Nearest Embassy or Consulate of Lithuania

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

Malta

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

Mexico

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Canada, France, Germany, South Korea and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-29 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mexico for more details and to apply
Citizens of Chile, Colombia, Peru are eligible for the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru) working holiday visa in Mexico

Netherlands

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years, up to 35 years of age depending on country arrangements
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Netherlands

READ MORE: Netherlands Working Holiday

New Zealand

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Uruguay, Vietnam.
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years, up to 35 years of age depending on country arrangements
Contact: your nearest New Zealand Consulate

READ MORE: New Zealand Working Holiday

Norway

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of:  Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (35 years depending on country agreement)
Contact: your nearest Norwegian Embassy or Consulate

Peru

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Peru for more details and to apply
Citizens of Chile, Colombia, Mexico are eligible for the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru) working holiday visa in Peru

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

Poland

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years (18 to 35 years for Canadians)
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Poland

Portugal

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Japan and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Portugal

Romania

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Romania

Russia

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: France
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Russia

South Korea

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Japan, Hungary, Hong Kong, Israel, 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

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

Slovakia

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Slovakia

Slovenia

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Slovenia

Spain

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Spain

Sweden

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of:  Australia, Canada, Chile New Zealand and South Korea
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 30 years
Contact: your nearest Swedish Embassy or Consulate

READ MORE: Sweden Working Holiday

Switzerland

Visa: Youth Mobility Program
Available to citizens of: Canada with a secondary education and have completed a 2-year training, or study at a post-secondary institution, or have completed your post-secondary studies
Length of stay: 12 months
Age: 18 to 35 years
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Switzerland

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

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.

Turkey

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

United Kingdom

Visa: Tier 5 Mobility Scheme Visa
Available to citizens of: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Taiwan or Republic of Korea
Length of stay: 24 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest British High Commission or Consulate

The United Kingdom also has an Ancestry Visa available. So if you have British parents or grand parents you could apply for an Ancestry Visa.

READ MORE: United Kingdom Working Holiday

The United Kingdom is the most popular working holiday destination for young Australians and New Zealanders. Get ready for your working holiday in the United Kingdom with a copy of my ebook Live Work and Play in London and the UK. It provides the information you need for a smooth transition into your UK working holiday.

Uruguay

Visa: Working Holiday
Available to citizens of: Australia, France and New Zealand
Length of stay: 12 months
Aged: 18-30 years inclusive
Contact: your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Uruguay for more details and to apply

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

READ MORE: Countries With A Digital Nomad Visa

Over 30 Years of Age

If you have read this and found you are outside of the age range for a working holiday don’t despair as there are work and travel options available to you. I acknowledge there aren’t as many as if you were in your 20s but there still is many work and travel opportunities when you are in your 30s and above.

READ MORE: Over 30 Years of Age – Your Work and Travel Options

Backpacker and Traveller Jobs

There are a number of typical backpacker and traveller jobs that people on a working holiday visa usually do. These include, but are not limited to office administration work, accounting and banking, fruit and vegetable picking and working in a bar, cafe or restaurant. Read more about typical backpacker jobs and how to find one here.

As you can see there are many countries with a working holiday visa and / or work and holiday visa arrangement available. So now is the time to get out there and enjoy a working holiday destination as you work and travel around the world. If you discover any changes to those listed, or know of any new country working holiday visas not listed, please let me know so I can keep this list of countries with a working holiday visa up-to-date. If you have been on a working holiday I would love to hear in the comments following.