One of the ripple effects from the Great Resignation in the early days of COVID-19 is the emerging trend of working holiday visas worldwide.
The "working holiday visa" is a visa targeted toward young travellers, often between the ages of 18-30 years old and offered by more than 50 countries worldwide with the purpose of incentivizing youth mobility. Usually valid for 1 year, the working holiday visa allows individuals who wish to travel, experience different cultures, and work to help fund their "gap-year" abroad.
Most working holiday visa treaties between nations were established in the past decade, with Canada and New Zealand leading the way with over 30 agreements already signed. While requirements vary depending on the country and the specific working holiday visa, many working holiday visa programs require applicants to be between the ages of 18 and 30, have no dependents, demonstrate a sufficient amount of funds, have a roundtrip plane ticket, and adequate medical insurance. In general, upon submission of the appropriate documents and application form at the country's consular office or online portal, working holiday visas allow for applicants to receive a swift processing within a few months.
Holders of working holiday visas are also typically permitted to hold seasonal, or part-time positions to work temporarily in the country while they explore and travel. Should they wish to remain in the country after their working holiday visa expires, they would require a full work visa or, at times, a renewal of their working holiday visa.
While the working holiday visa may have traditionally had 'gap-year' pre-university studies individuals in mind as the target applicant, a growing number of Generation-Z and millennials in the workforce have been exploring the career options via this visa option. Since many traditional office positions have now been adapted to more flexible remote work options and job seekers are placing a higher emphasis on mental health and work-life balance, this option of a working holiday visa allows young people greater freedom and flexibility in a new post-COVID-19 workforce.
Current Developments
Currently, there are roughly 53 countries worldwide that offer a form of the working holiday visa. Most of these programs are offered in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania. Below are the top 4 most sought working holiday visas destinations:
Canada
Canada is one of the most popular places for young professionals seeking to explore or begin a career overseas. It is undoubtedly known for its high-quality education, beautiful scenery, and quality healthcare. Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are just a few of the many cities that many travellers visit in Canada.
Requirements of the International Experience Canada visa program -
Be aged between 18 & 30 (29 or 35 for select countries) and
a citizen/permanent resident of the select countries
Acquire working holiday visa insurance once approved
Demonstrate sufficient funds of the equivalent of CAD 2,500
Australia
Australia's working holiday visa is one of the many few that offers pathway to citizenship to Australia. The Program is also one of the few worldwide that allow applicants to reapply for this visa a total of three times with each time up to 12 months of stay.
Requirements of the First Working Holiday visa program
Each holiday visa has different requirements from the first to the third
(Please see the link in the table below for more information)
New Zealand
Maori culture, Lord of the Rings, Hobbiton, hot pools, nature & wildlife and beautiful scenery are just a few reasons why New Zealand is a holiday destination. One can argue a small holiday isn't enough therefore New Zealand has offered the working holiday visa to allow visitors to work and travel for up to 23 months.
Requirements -
Be aged between 18 & 30 (18 & 35 for select countries)
and a citizen/permanent resident of the select countries
Study & training courses for up to 6 months are optional
Be coming mainly to holiday, with both work or a short amount of
study your secondary intentions
Each working holiday visa scheme varies depending on country of
origin
Japan
Climbing Mount Fuji, learning Japanese and discovering Tokyo can now be achievable with a working holiday visa. Engross yourself in Japanese work culture for a couple months then explore Japan, Japan has numerous bilateral do working holiday visas to ensure young people can work during their extended stay in Japan.
Requirements -
Be aged between 18 & 30 and a citizen/permanent resident of
the select countries
Be not accompanied by dependents or children
Intention to spend a specific length of time in Japan
Have never acquired a work holiday visa for Japan prior
Harvey Law Group has provided an easy reference table with hyperlinks to the relevant official sources below:
| WORKING HOLIDAY VISAS WORLDWIDE | ||
| # | Name of Country Offering Visa | Eligible countries |
| 1 | Andorra | Australia, Canada |
| 2 | Argentina | Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Sweden. |
| 3 | Australia | Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom |
| 4 | Austria | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR SAR, Israel, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan |
| 5 | Belgium | Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan |
| 6 | Brazil | France, Germany, New Zealand |
| 7 | Canada | Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia Republic, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
| 8 | Chile | Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland |
| 9 | Colombia | Chile, France, Mexico, Peru |
| 10 | Costa Rica | Canada |
| 11 | Croatia | Canada, New Zealand |
| 12 | Cyprus | Australia |
| 13 | Czech Republic | Australia, Chile, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan |
| 14 | Denmark | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea |
| 15 | Ecuador | Australia, France |
| 16 | Estonia | Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand |
| 17 | Finland | Australia and New Zealand. |
| 18 | France | Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Uruguay |
| 19 | Germany | Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand |
| 20 | Greece | Australia and Canada |
| 21 | Hong Kong | Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Kiorea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. |
| 22 | Ireland | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, United States of America |
| 23 | Israel | Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea. |
| 24 | Italy | Australia, Canada, New Zealand South Korea |
| 25 | Japan | Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom |
| 26 | Latvia | Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea. |
| 27 | Lithuania | Canada, Japan, New Zealand |
| 28 | Luxembourg | Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Taiwan |
| 29 | Malaysia | Australia, New Zealand |
| 30 | Mexico | Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea |
| 31 | Netherlands | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay |
| 32 | New Zealand | Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, 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. |
| 33 | Norway | Argentina, Australia, Japan, New Zealand |
| 34 | Peru | Australia, Canada,Chile, Colombia, France, Mexico, Peru, Portugal |
| 35 | Philippines | New Zealand |
| 36 | Poland | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan |
| 37 | Portugal | Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of Korea and the United States of America. |
| 38 | Romania | South Korea |
| 39 | San Marino | Australia, Canada, New Zealand |
| 40 | Singapore | Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America |
| 41 | Slovakia | Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan |
| 42 | Slovenia | Australia, Canada, and New Zealand |
| 43 | South Africa | Those who wish to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programmes administered must be registered by an organ of the State or a higher educational institution in conjunction with an organ of a foreign state. |
| 44 | South Korea | Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Ireland. |
| 45 | Spain | Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea. |
| 46 | Sweden | Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or South Korea |
| 47 | Switzerland | Canada and Chile |
| 48 | Taiwan | Australia, Austria, Canada, Canada, Belgium, Korea, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom |
| 49 | Turkey | Australia and New Zealand |
| 50 | United Kingdom | Ausstralia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen. |
| 51 | United States | Not specified |
| 52 | Uruguay | Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden. |
| 53 | Vietnam | Australia, New Zealand |
Since the purpose of the visa is to have an extended working holiday, this visa option is not typically a viable means to apply for permanent residency in the chosen country of destination. Nevertheless, applicants may be eligible for additional work visas that allow a pathway to permanent residency after the expiry of their working holiday visa.
Conclusion
The working holiday visa presents itself as a unique opportunity for young people to break boundaries, explore new realities, and expand their horizons. With a newer generation prioritizing work flexibility and work-life balance, these "working holiday visas" will likely grow in popularity. As such, Harvey Law Group foresees these working holiday visas as an alternative avenue to explore for individuals seeking immigration, travel or work abroad.
The present article only touches upon some of the options available, but there are plenty more. Trusted lawyers will be able to advise the options most suitable to your circumstances and goals.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.