With well-over 30 countries participating in the working holiday visas programs, it can feel a little overwhelming to pick the country you most want to spend a year of your life in. A working holiday visa in Canada will provide you with an experience completely different than that of a working holiday visa in Hong Kong or even New Zealand.
Picking a country for your working holiday visa is all about preference, but the decision-making process doesn’t have to stress you out! You should focus your decision making on the country that piques your interest the most, provides you with the best learning opportunities, is in partnership with your country of citizenship, and speaks a language that you can understand, or at least learn! Let’s break these down together in this simple “how to” guide.
Step 1: Determine eligibility
Before you can even start considering countries, you need to determine which countries are in partnership with your country of citizenship. Whereas there are over 30 countries that participate in the working holiday visas program, not all of them are in partnership with each other. For example, US citizens only have access to six countries (such as a working holiday visa in Canada) at the moment while citizens of Japan have access to 26.
Once you’ve determined the countries you’re allowed to apply for, you’ll need to look at those country’s requirements for citizens of your home country. Some countries have specific age requirements and income requirements you’ll want to consider before applying for their working holiday visa program.
Step 2: Choose a country you’re interested in
You will be spending potentially 12 months in this country. You’ll be immersed into its culture and surrounded by its people. So, you’ll want to narrow your options down to a country that interests you beyond its beauty in photographs. A Canada working holiday will provide you with a little bit of a nod to the French culture, while a working holiday visa in New Zealand will provide you with a completely difference experience.
Step 3: Where can you learn the most?
Whereas yes, this is a working holiday and you want to enjoy your time exploring, roaming, and immersing yourself in the countries traditions and lifestyles, you should still want to learn from this trip. It may feel the most comfortable to choose a country similar to your home country, but what can you learn from that? It’s recommended to choose a country that you can get numerous takeaways from and return home with a new lease on life and newfound knowledge that you never knew you needed!
Step 4: Consider the language barrier
Where applicable, it’s beneficial to consider taking your working holiday visa in a country that speaks your language, or at least speaks a language that you can learn or have some knowledge of. Whereas yes, you want to be thrown into new cultures, you also need to be able to communicate with those around you. Otherwise, it’s going to be a very hectic, stressful, and confusing year. For example, English speakers may want to choose to take their working holiday visa in Canada or Ireland.
Choosing a country for your working holiday visa may feel intimidating and overwhelming, but by considering the location, culture, language, and learning opportunities, it doesn’t have to be! Create a simple pros and cons list that displays the reasons you’re considering a specific country and why you feel it’s the right choice for you. You can also reach out to Alliance Visas, and they can help make your decision easier by providing you with some knowledge on the countries you are c