With Australia tightening parts of its Working Holiday Maker programme, the working holiday visa is getting a fresh look from young travellers hoping to live, work and travel abroad. But what exactly is a working holiday visa, who can apply for one, and how is it different from a regular work visa?

What exactly is a working holiday visa?

The idea is fairly simple: a working holiday visa is a temporary visa or permit that allows eligible young people to travel and take up short-term work in another country.

Think of it as a middle ground between a tourist visa and a conventional work visa.

You do not usually need to arrive with a permanent job waiting for you. Instead, you can travel, find temporary work and use your earnings to help pay for your trip. Depending on the destination, you may also be allowed to study for a limited period.

New Zealand, for example, says working holiday visa holders should primarily be there for a holiday, with work and study as secondary activities. They can generally stay for up to 12 months, although some nationalities have longer options.

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Australia's Working Holiday Maker programme similarly allows young adults to have a 12-month holiday while undertaking short-term work and study.

Is it called a Working Holiday Visa everywhere?

Different countries use different names for broadly similar youth mobility arrangements.

Australia uses the term Working Holiday Maker, with two main visa categories: Working Holiday subclass 417 and Work and Holiday subclass 462.

The UK calls its programme the Youth Mobility Scheme. For Indian citizens, there is a specific India Young Professionals Scheme, which allows eligible applicants aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

Canada operates International Experience Canada (IEC). Within IEC, the Working Holiday category provides an open work permit for eligible participants, allowing them to work for most employers in Canada.

New Zealand generally calls its arrangements Working Holiday Schemes.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, uses the term Working Holiday residence permit, while other countries may use terms such as youth mobility or young traveller programmes.

Who can apply?

There is no single worldwide eligibility rule.

Working holiday arrangements are based on agreements between specific countries, so your passport matters first. You cannot simply choose any country offering a working holiday visa and apply.

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Age is another major requirement. Many programmes are designed for people between 18 and 30, while some extend the upper age limit to 35. New Zealand, for example, says most of its working holiday visas are for people aged 18 to 30, with some schemes allowing applicants up to 35.

Other requirements can include:

  • A valid passport
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Health and character requirements
  • Medical or police certificates in some cases
  • Health or travel insurance
  • A return or onward ticket, or enough money to buy one
  • Educational qualifications for certain nationalities or schemes
  • No dependent children accompanying you under some programmes

The exact conditions can be dramatically different from one country to another.

Where can you go?

There are working holiday arrangements across several parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Japan and a number of European countries. Australia, for example, has arrangements with more than 40 partner countries and jurisdictions.

But there is an important catch: being eligible for a working holiday programme in a country does not mean every nationality can use it.

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For example, New Zealand only offers working holiday visas to citizens of countries with which it has a relevant agreement. For an Indian passport holder, the list is more limited and is changing as new agreements are introduced.

Australia

India joined Australia's Working Holiday Maker programme in 2024. Eligible Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 can apply for the Work and Holiday subclass 462 visa, with up to 1,000 first visas available each programme year. Indian applicants must go through a pre-application ballot and be randomly selected before applying.

UK

Indian citizens can apply through the India Young Professionals Scheme. Applicants must be 18 to 30, have an eligible qualification and meet the financial requirement. The scheme allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

The UK had 3,000 places for Indian citizens in 2026, with applicants selected through a ballot.

New Zealand

India and New Zealand signed a 2026 agreement that includes a commitment for New Zealand to implement a working holiday arrangement for Indian citizens. The agreement provides for up to 1,000 multiple-entry working holiday visas a year for eligible Indian citizens for stays of 12 months, but the arrangement is to be implemented within two years of the agreement entering into force.

That means Indian travellers should check the New Zealand immigration website for the latest status rather than assuming applications are already open.

How do you apply?

The process depends on the country, but it usually follows a similar pattern.

  1. Check whether your passport is eligible
    Start with the official immigration website of the country you want to visit. Check the age limit, nationality requirements and annual quota.
  2. Check whether there is a ballot.
    Some programmes have limited places and use a random selection system. Indian applicants to Australia's subclass 462 and the UK's India Young Professionals Scheme are examples.
  3. Prepare your documents.
    Depending on the programme, this could include your passport, bank statements, educational certificates, police clearance, medical documents, photographs and insurance.
  4. Submit the application.
    Many working holiday applications are made online. New Zealand, for example, requires working holiday visa applications to be submitted online.
  5. Pay the relevant fees.
    Visa fees vary significantly, and some programmes also involve healthcare charges, insurance requirements or other costs.
  6. Wait for approval and follow the conditions.
    Getting the visa does not mean you can work without restrictions. Your visa will specify what type of work you can do, how long you can stay and whether there are limits on employers, study or self-employment.

Can you work any job you want?

Not necessarily. Working holiday visas are generally designed around temporary or short-term employment, rather than permanent migration.

New Zealand, for example, says working holiday holders cannot take permanent employment. Its official guidance gives examples of short-term work in industries such as hospitality, tourism and seasonal work.

Canada's Working Holiday category is different in that it provides an open work permit, allowing eligible participants to work for most employers.

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This is why reading the specific conditions of your visa is important. "Working holiday" is a broad concept, not one universal set of rules.

What makes it different from a normal work visa?

A conventional work visa is generally built around employment. You may need a job offer, an employer sponsor or qualifications linked to a particular occupation. A working holiday visa is built around travel and cultural exchange, with work helping fund the experience.

That distinction matters. New Zealand explicitly says the primary intention should be a holiday, while work and study are secondary.

It is also not a shortcut to permanent residency. If your aim is to settle in another country permanently, you would need to explore the immigration routes available there.

What should you budget for?

The visa fee is only one part of the cost. Before leaving, travellers should think about flights, accommodation, insurance, emergency savings, transport and the period before finding their first job. Some countries specifically require applicants to demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves.

And having permission to work does not mean you will immediately find a job. The practical appeal of a working holiday is that you can build your trip around your circumstances. You might spend a few months working in one city, save some money, travel to another part of the country and then pick up another short-term job.

For someone who wants to experience living abroad without committing to a permanent move, that flexibility is the real draw.

(Disclaimer: The rules are country-specific and can change. If you are considering applying, check the official immigration website for your nationality and destination before making travel or financial commitments.)