A Working Holiday visa allows you to travel to another country with the possibility of working for a certain period of time. Spain has a Working Holiday visa agreement with Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and soon also with South Korea. These agreements between countries facilitate youth mobility and give wings to the most traveling spirits
- The Spanish passport is considered one of the best in the world as it allows entry without a visa in more than 150 countries. There are many that do require a visa to be able to cross their borders, you will even be surprised to see that there are some very touristic countries that do ask the Spanish for a visa, but in one way or another if we travel outside Europe we will always have a reduced time to visit those countries.
- But of course, traveling as a tourist has some limitations and that is that if, for example, you need to work to make some money, the law generally will not allow it. It is also not practical to learn a language since as a tourist you will not have much time. Is there a solution then to get the most out of your trip? Yes, the Working Holiday Visa.
What is a Working Holiday Visa
- As its name indicates, Working Holiday visas allow you to work as well as to be on vacation, literally. In other words, they are visas that allow you to enter the country for a certain period of time and with which if you want to work you can do so legally.
- The Working Holiday Visa are bilateral agreements reached between countries with which youth mobility is encouraged and facilitated, each year there is a certain number of visas available and each country sets its conditions and requirements.
- They are ideal for long trips, there are those who take advantage of them as an easy way to start working abroad, with a WHV you first have the visa and then the job, while to get a work visa you must first find a job. And there are also those who take advantage of it as a way of traveling in which you can work while you move. You work here for a while, you travel, you work there for another time, you travel, and so on for 12 months.
For which countries can Spaniards apply for Working Holiday visas?
- The Working Holidays depend on the agreements that each country has with other countries, so the number of countries to which we can choose will be marked by our nationality. Today Spain has Working Holiday visa agreements in place with four countries: Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, so if you are Spanish and meet the requirements you can apply for this type of visa for any of them.
- Soon that list will grow. Recently Spain and South Korea have also signed a Working Holiday mobility agreementwith which a thousand young people from each country will be able to work and travel to the other country for a maximum of one year. However, although the signing of this agreement between the two countries took place last December, the program has not yet been launched and it is estimated that it will not do so until mid-2018.
Working Holiday Visa between Spain and Australia
Between Spain and Australia, the agreement allows 600 young Spaniards to travel each year to the country of the koalas through a Working Holiday visa.
Requirements to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Demonstrate educational level.
- Demonstrate level of English.
- Submit a letter of support from the Spanish government .
- Proof of funds of at least 5,000 Australian dollars.
- Do not have children in your care during your stay.
- Have return ticket or funds to buy it.
What allows a Working Holiday Visa in Australia
- Stay in the country up to 12 months.
- Work a maximum of 6 months with each employer.
- Study up to a maximum of 4 months.
- Exit and enter Australia as many times as you want during the visa period.
- Apply for a second Working Holiday visa if you have worked for three months in northern Australia in tourism, agriculture, forestry or fishing.
Information, when and how to request it
- Working Holiday for Australia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation .
- Working Holiday for Australia at the Australian Government Home Affairs .
Working Holiday Visa between Spain and Canada
Within its program called International Experience Canada, the North American country has an agreement with Spain in which it offers up to 1,000 visas as “open work permits”, where along with the Working Holiday Visa are the Young Professionals and the International Co-op Internship .
Requirements to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Canada
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Proof of funds of at least 2,500 Canadian dollars.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Have return ticket or funds to buy it.
- Do not travel with people who depend on you.
What does a Working Holiday Visa allow in New Canada?
- Stay in the country up to 12 months.
- You can work during the 12 months if you want.
- Study up to a maximum of 6 months.
- Exit and enter Canada as many times as you want during the visa period.
More information, when and how to apply
- Working Holiday for Canada on the official website of the Government of Canada.
Working Holiday Visa between Spain and Japan
The agreement between Spain and Japan was launched in mid-2017 and it is stated that each year 500 young people from one country and another will be able to travel through a Working Holiday Visa. With this visa, the program wants to promote mobility between both countries in order to facilitate a mutual cultural exchange.
Requirements to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for Japan
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Have round trip ticket or funds to buy it.
- Demonstrate funds of at least €2,000.
- Medical certificate.
- Do not apply for a visa with the intention of settling in Japan.
What does a Working Holiday Visa allow in Japan
- Stay in the country up to 12 months.
- sporadic work activities.
- Unpaid volunteer activities.
- Unpaid business practices.
Working Holiday Visa between Spain and New Zealand
The agreement that Spain and New Zealand have to promote mobility among their young people allows 200 Spaniards to enjoy a Working Holiday visa each year
Requirements to apply for a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Proof of health insurance.
- Proof of funds of at least 4,200 Canadian dollars.
- Have return ticket or funds to buy it.
- That the main intention of the trip be vacations.
What does a Working Holiday Visa allow in New Zealand?
- Stay in the country up to 12 months.
- Work in total no more than 6 months.
- Work no more than 3 months for the same employer.
- Study up to a maximum of 6 months.
- Exit and enter New Zealand as many times as you want during the visa period.
