Best Countries to Get a Working Holiday Visa- 2024

Working holiday visas allow young people to travel and work abroad, promoting cultural exchange. Here’s a guide to some of the best programs:

Visa Requirements

Participating nationality: Your country must have a working holiday agreement with the destination country.
Age: Typically, 18-30, with some exceptions for countries like Canada and New Zealand (up to 35 years old).
Employment limitations: Working for one employer is often limited to 6 months, with some job type restrictions.
Visa quota: Many countries have a limited number of visas issued per year.
One-time issuance: Most visas are issued only once, with Australia as an exception (allowing second and third-year work holiday visas).

Top Destinations

Australia: A popular choice with two visa subclasses depending on your origin country. Offers second and third-year work holiday options, but limits work types (often farming or construction).
Canada: Requires citizenship from a country with a working holiday agreement (many countries qualify). Valid for one year, allowing most types of work.
Ireland: Ideal for students or recent graduates (18-35 years old) from eligible countries. Visa is valid for 12 months, with an extension of up to 24 months for Canadians.
Japan: Experience Japanese culture while working. Valid for one year, with limitations on bar, cabaret, nightclub, and gambling work.
France: Enjoy France and cover your expenses with this one-year visa. No work authorization needed before travel.
Argentina: Valid for 6 months to a year, allowing work in various sectors like tourism, hospitality, and retail.
Austria: Stay for one year and support yourself financially. Allows visiting other Schengen Area countries while your visa is valid. Offers various work options like waitressing, event crew, and teaching assistance.
New Zealand: Explore beautiful landscapes while working. Valid for up to 23 months (depending on citizenship), allowing any job you qualify for.
United Kingdom: Valid for two years, with benefits like short-term study programs and starting your own business.
Germany: Fund your travels with a working holiday visa, valid for 12 months. Popular work options include start-ups and high-tech companies.
Israel: Explore Israel for up to one year. Requires a passport valid for 18 months at application time.
Italy: Visit famous sights while working for up to a year. Offers various jobs depending on the season, including service staff in resorts, campsites, and even English teaching (with TEFL qualifications).
South Korea: Experience Korean culture while working. Valid for one year, with popular work options like tourism, translation, voice acting, and English teaching.
Spain: Explore Spain while working in service, tourism, and hospitality jobs. Valid for 12 months.
Chile: Discover the Atacama desert, vineyards, and hiking trails. Valid for up to one year.
Hong Kong: Offers a limited quota work and holiday program, allowing a 12-month stay with work permission.
Netherlands: Explore Dutch culture for a year. Allows working for an employer for only 12 weeks at a time, with no full-time work or study permitted.