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Considering taking a working holiday for the upcoming year? This is a unique, one of a kind, and quite literally once in a lifetime adventure that you get to embark on! However, it can also be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know how the process works. We’re sure you have lots of questions, so we’ve put together a list of the top 5 questions and answers to help prepare you for the big move!
Which countries offer working holiday visas for US citizens?
A little-known fact about working holiday visas is the program is not determined by the country you want to visit, but actually by your country of citizenship. To better explain this; there are more than 35 countries that offer working holiday visa programs, but only 6 of them are in partnership with the United States. They include:
- Canada
- Australia
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Korea
So, if you are coming from the US, those are your only options! However, if you are a citizen of a different country, you likely have more possibilities such as Hong Kong or Thailand.
Do I have to be a certain age in order to obtain a working holiday visa?
You do have to be within a specific age range in order to obtain a working holiday visa. The age ranges from 18 to 35 and depends on the country that you are wanting to visit. Let’s use the above list of countries as our example.
- Canada working holiday program: 18-30 (up to 35 upon approval)
- Australia working holiday program: 18-30
- Ireland working holiday program: 18-35
- New Zealand working holiday program: 18-35
- Singapore working holiday program: 18-25 (this is among the youngest age limit)
- South Korea working holiday program: 18-30
What do I need in order to apply for a working holiday visa?
The specific details on what you need in order to apply will vary based on the country that you are applying to take your working holiday in. However, the core items you will need include:
- Passport
- Plane ticket with return date (or x-amount of extra money in the bank if no return date is set)
- A specific amount of money in the bank (varies based on country)
- General itinerary
- Proof of a job waiting for you upon arrival
What kind of job can I have on a working holiday visa?
Most working 
holiday visas do not have specific job requirements. In fact, you can usually change jobs throughout your stay in the country you are living. So long as you are starting your trip with a guaranteed job, you are typically good to go!
The most common jobs for people to have on a working holiday visa include:
- Hospitality
- Tourism
- Food industry
- Work-from-home jobs
- Foreign language teaching
Are working holiday visas available during the pandemic?
Most countries right now do have closed borders due the current Covid-19 pandemic. Some countries are open, but only to certain countries and with specific requirements in place. For example, you could be approved for a Canada working holiday if you are coming from the United States. However, you do need to be fully vaccinated and show proof of a negative covid test upon entry to the country.
Working holiday visas are a unique way to get to experience a new culture for an extended amount of time without having to save up excess amounts of money to do so! The process may feel overwhelming but with third party providers like Alliance Visas, the process can be smooth and efficient. Hopefully this has put your mind at ease and you feel ready to take on this exciting adventure!