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Between the ages of 18 and 35 and keen to get to know foreign life? Well, you might well already have come across two of the most sought-after options: a student visa and a working holiday visa. Both allow you to live abroad—but they are entirely different experiences.
If you’re struggling to choose between the two, don’t worry—we’re answering some of your questions.
Do working holiday visas require you to be in school?
No! With a working holiday visa you do not have to attend school anymore. That means no lectures, textbooks, and exams anymore—just experience and adventure. Working holiday visas are for young travelers who would want to work and travel in a foreign country for 12 months.
If you want to stay for longer, you can always convert to a student visa later on and begin studying. Student visas, however, do come with the requirement that you undertake a formal course of study, so be prepared to study hard abroad.
Are working holiday visas subject to a working hours restriction?
Not at all. On a working holiday visa, you can work as many hours as you want. This is a big advantage in being able to take care of yourself financially and still have time off. Whether you want to work full time or just enough for weekend gaps, the decision is yours.
Alternatively, students on a student visa typically have no more than 20 hours of work per week while they’re at school. That does put some constraints on budgeting somewhat—especially if you’re in a pricey city.
Can you get around on a working holiday visa?
Absolutely. With a working holiday visa, you can travel around the country without restriction when you are there. Provided that you can maintain employment and finance your travels, you can travel back and forth between cities and view whatever you please.
Student visa holders, however, are stuck in one place—typically around their university. So if you want to go traveling as much as you can around the country, the working holiday route is much more flexible.
Can you study on a working holiday visa?
Yes, but with limits. Most countries with working holiday visas allow for limited study or training for a short period of time. For example, you may be able to take a language course, culinary course, or short certification course while there.
But if you want to undertake a full-time degree or an extended course of study, then a student visa is most definitely the option (and the compulsory one at that). The working holiday visa is actually more about experiencing life rather than in-depth education.
So if you are thinking about having some study included in your travel plans—go for it! Just be sure to research the specific rules of your destination country.
Which Should You Take?
Both visas have their advantages:
- Student Visa – Ideal if studying is your top priority and you’re happy to adjust to student life abroad.
- Working Holiday Visa – Perfect if you yearn for a flavor of independence, cultural immersion, and the ability to earn while you learn.
Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of experience you’re after. If you envision flexibility, new friends, paying for yourself, and creating memories without the classroom—a working holiday visa might be your best bet.