Category: Youth Mobility

Ever dreamed of living abroad while actually being able to afford it? Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) might just be your golden ticket.

These incredible programs let young adults live, work, and explore foreign countries for up to several years – all while earning money to fund their adventures.
Think of it as the ultimate gap year with benefits. Countries have bilateral agreements that basically say “send us your young people, and we’ll send you ours.”
It’s cultural exchange meets wanderlust, and honestly, it’s one of the best-kept secrets in travel.

Do You Qualify?

Before you start planning your escape, let’s see if you make the cut:

Age matters: Most programs target 18-30 year-olds, though some countries are more generous (looking at you, Canada and Australia, with your 35-year age limits for certain nationalities).

Citizenship counts: You need to be from a country that has a deal with your dream destination. No deal, no visa – it’s that simple.

Show me the money: You’ll need to prove you have savings – think £2,530 for the UK or CAD $2,500 for Canada. Countries want to know you won’t end up sleeping on park benches.

Health insurance is non-negotiable: Full coverage for your entire stay. No exceptions.

Flying solo: Generally speaking, kids under 18 can’t tag along. This adventure is for you and you alone.

Where Can You Go?

North America: The Land of Opportunity

Canada is the crown jewel of working holiday programs. Ages 18-35 can apply (depending on your nationality), and you get 12-24 months with complete work freedom – no employer restrictions whatsoever. Fair warning though: they’ve bumped up fees to CAD $179.75 and tightened some quotas, especially for France and Taiwan. They’ve also cracked down on “flagpoling” at borders for permit activation.

The United States is trickier, only offering limited partnerships through J-1 visas for Irish and Australian citizens. Duration is 12 months, but hey, it’s still America.

Europe: History Meets Adventure

The United Kingdom’s Youth Mobility Scheme is fantastic if you can get in. Ages 18-30 (18-35 for some lucky countries like Australia and Canada) can stay for 2-3 years. Citizens from 13 countries are eligible, but spots are limited – Taiwan and Hong Kong get 1,000 spots each through a ballot system, while the UK offers 15,000. Good news for South Koreans and Japanese: no more ballot required!

France welcomes 18-30 year-olds (18-35 for some nationalities) for 12 months, with Canadians getting a sweet deal of renewable 24-month stays. Just remember, work should be “incidental to travel” – they want you exploring, not climbing corporate ladders.

Germany keeps it simple: 18-30 year-olds from Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand get 12 months of Alpine adventures.

Italy offers 4,000 spots total through the Italy-Canada Youth Exchange. You’ll need €1,900 in savings and health insurance for your 12-month stay.

Asia-Pacific: Where East Meets Opportunity

Australia is the working holiday heavyweight with two visa types. The Subclass 417 gives 18-30 year-olds (18-35 for some) 12 months that can extend to 2-3 years if you do regional work. The Subclass 462 caters to eligible ASEAN and European nationals.

New Zealand mirrors many other programs: 18-30 (18-35 for some) with quotas of 15,000 for UK citizens and 3,000 for South Koreans. Duration ranges from 12-23 months.

Japan just got more exciting. They’ve expanded second visa eligibility to 10 countries, meaning UK, Canadian, New Zealand, Danish, and Austrian citizens can potentially return. Ages 18-30, 12-month duration, but avoid nightlife work – it’s off-limits.

South Korea offers 18-30 year-olds (18-34 for Canadians) 12 months with 5,000 total spots. The UK ballot system is gone, making applications more straightforward.

Taiwan welcomes 18-30 year-olds (18-35 for Canadians) for 12-month adventures.

Latin America: The Undiscovered Gems

Argentina and Chile both offer 12-month programs for 18-30 year-olds, though with limited country partnerships. Argentina works with France, Australia, and New Zealand, while Chile partners with Canada, New Zealand, and Spain.

What’s New?

The working holiday world keeps evolving:

Japan expanded second visa eligibility to 10 countries
The UK simplified applications for South Korean and Japanese nationals
Canada introduced stricter border policies
France extended Canadian stays to 24 months
New Zealand increased quotas for Spain (2,000 spots) and South Korea (3,000 spots)

Pro Tips for Success

Apply early, apply often: Many programs use quotas or ballots. Taiwan’s UK ballot opens in early February each year – mark your calendar!

Get your paperwork sorted: You’ll need passports, proof of funds, health insurance, and police certificates. Start gathering these documents early.

Research the work scene: Some visas have industry restrictions (Japan’s nightlife ban, France’s “incidental work” rule). Know before you go.

Think about extensions: Australia and Canada allow extensions for regional or skilled work. Plan strategically if you want to maximize your time abroad.

Ready for Your Adventure?

Working Holiday Visas aren’t just about travel – they’re about transformation. You’ll return home with international work experience, lifelong friendships, and stories that’ll make your friends incredibly jealous.

The world is waiting, but these programs won’t last forever. Most have age limits, and life has a funny way of getting complicated as you get older. If you’re eligible and even slightly curious, start researching now.

Check official government portals for the most up-to-date information, as program details change regularly. Your adventure is out there – you just need to take the first step.

Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality? The world is literally your oyster, and working holiday visas are your pearl-diving equipment.

Thinking about making the leap to a new country? Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I took that first flight.

1. Yes, You Actually Need That Degree

I know, I know – you’ve heard about college dropouts who made it big. But here’s the reality: a bachelor’s degree is your golden ticket abroad. It’s not about the education (though that’s nice too), it’s about the doors it opens.

Want to teach English in Asia? Degree required. Need a work visa? They’ll ask for your diploma. Applying for skilled worker immigration? That degree literally adds points to your application. In 2025, 72% of skilled worker visas in top destinations like Canada, Germany, and Australia require proof of tertiary education.

Skip the debt if you can, but don’t skip the degree.

2. Stop Trying to Predict the Future Job Market

My high school teacher used to say he was preparing us for jobs that didn’t exist yet. He wasn’t wrong.

Instead of chasing trends, focus on timeless skills:

Write clearly (then cut your word count by half)
Communicate well – listen more than you speak
Learn a second language – any language, even badly
Solve problems – get comfortable with math and basic programming
Understand money – take that economics class you’ve been avoiding
Read up on the latest in AI (Artificial Intelligence) developments – it’s changing the world (and job market) forever.

These skills will serve you anywhere, in any economy.

Man jumping off cliff into the ocean — Eventually, you’ll have to just do it – moving abroad is always a leap of faith!

3. Get Comfortable Being Alone

This sounds weird, but hear me out. Your first year abroad can be genuinely lonely, especially in a culture with different values than yours. If you can’t handle being alone at home, you’ll struggle overseas.

Start small – take long walks without your phone, spend an afternoon in a café by yourself. It’s not about becoming antisocial; it’s about being comfortable in your own company when meaningful friendships take time to develop.

4. Fix Your Problems Before You Pack

Moving abroad isn’t a magic reset button for your life. Whatever issues you’re running from will likely follow you – with jet lag.

Hate your social circle? Find better people locally first. Broke? Unless you have a signed contract abroad, changing countries won’t change your bank balance. Having family drama? Running away just delays those difficult conversations.

Pro tip: 23% of failed expatriations stem from inadequate savings. Build up 6-12 months of expenses and get a multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut before you go.

5. Test Drive Before You Buy

You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, so why move to a country you’ve never experienced? Visit your target destination for at least a week – alone. Get a real taste of what daily life feels like, not just the tourist experience.

Better yet, try living there for a year before committing to residency. The novelty might wear off, or you might fall even more in love with the place. Either way, you’ll make a better decision.

Budget tip: Check out Workaway or HelpX for room and board in exchange for a few hours of work daily – perfect for extended exploration.

6. Trust Yourself (And Ignore the Doubters)

People will tell you it’s impossible. That you’ll fail, go broke, and come crawling home. Maybe they’re right – but you know what you’ll regret more than failing? Never trying.

If you’ve done your research, saved your money, and have a solid plan, go for it. You’re more resourceful than you think, and even if things don’t work out exactly as planned, you’ll figure it out.

Here’s a fun fact to remember when people doubt you: 34% of expats eventually settle permanently abroad, citing higher life satisfaction as the main reason.

The Bottom Line

Moving abroad changed my perspective on everything – including my appreciation for home. Whether you stay for a year or a lifetime, living in another country will teach you things about yourself and the world that you can’t learn any other way.

The leap is scary, but the regret of not taking it is scarier.

Ready to start planning? The world is waiting.

Check out one of our free Immigration Guides (organized by continent)!