All about WHV

What exactly are we talking about?

The Working Holiday Program (WHV). Created in 2003, this is a temporary immigration visa with a maximum duration of 12 or 24 months. At present, more than 58 countries have signed WHV agreements. It allows each traveler eligible for a WHV visa to work and/or travel in the country for the duration of the WHV. The WHV is therefore a way of getting around the limitations of tourist visas, which allow travelers to stay only 3 months in a country. What’s more, it gives travelers the opportunity to find a job if they wish. As you can see, the WHV is a chance to embark on an adventure and immerse yourself in a whole new culture.

To obtain a WHV visa, you must be aged between 18 and 30; 35 for the Australia WHV. This is a visa for which you don’t need to have a certain level of education, language skills or professional experience. However, WHV is subject to annual quotas for certain countries. A system of random selection determines which candidates are chosen to leave, and the WHV Canada is one of them. There is no quota for the Australia or New Zealand WHP, so you have every chance of having your visa application accepted. However, it is also often necessary to have some savings aside, in addition to the purchase of the plane ticket. This is a way for the host country to make sure you have enough food and lodging when you arrive.

What are the conditions for obtaining a WHV?

Although the WHV visa is generally quite accessible, there are a few compulsory conditions for obtaining it:

• Age: you need to be between 18 and 30, or 35 for the WHV Australia.
• Economy: most WHV countries require each traveler to have at least €3,000 in their pocket.
• Passport: a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay is required.
• Travel insurance: WHV insurance is often compulsory before leaving.
• Documents: take with you e-mails and proof that the country you’re going to for your WHP has validated your visa application. Also take any documents you might need: identity card, passport, driving license, bank statement, travel insurance certificate…
• Children: you must not be accompanied by a dependent child during your stay.

Once the visa has been obtained, it’s up to the WHVists to organize their stay (plane tickets, travel insurance, accommodation, employment, etc.).

Which countries offer WHV visas?

Several countries offer WHV visas. Please note that each country has its own visa requirements. The variations are often in terms of age and the quota of people accepted.

The French have access to 15 destinations: Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Uruguay, Hong Kong, Ecuador. In all these destinations, only Australia and New Zealand have unlimited quotas. These are therefore the most accessible destinations.

Belgians have access to 5 countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan).

What are the top 10 WHV countries?

Here is a list of the 10 most popular countries for Working Holiday Programs:

1. Canada – approximately 68,000 participants per year
2. Australia – around 45,000 participants per year
3. New Zealand – around 35,000 participants per year
4. Japan – around 20,000 participants per year
5. South Korea – around 15,000 participants per year
6. Argentina – around 10,000 participants per year
7. Chile – approximately 8,000 participants per year
8. Taiwan – around 7,000 participants per year
9. Hong Kong – around 5,000 participants per year
10. Brazil – around 3,000 participants per year

Why go on a WHV?

If you’re still wondering whether it’s a good idea to go on a working vacation, the answer is: yes. Going on a WHV visa is an opportunity to leave your daily routine behind and discover new horizons. It’s a fantastic experience that lets you learn a new language, meet new people from all over the world, discover a new culture, new landscapes, new jobs and new ways of life…

Is travel insurance compulsory?

Travel insurance is mandatory for all working vacation programs. We remind you that healthcare abroad is extremely expensive.

At YUPWEGO, we offer WHV travel insurance policies:

• Coverage of up to €500,000 for medical expenses, with repatriation assistance
• Covid protection,
• Civil liability.

As you can see, going on a WHP is an unusual experience that you’ll remember for a long time. Be sure to check the specific requirements of each country to avoid unpleasant surprises. If you’re already planning your departure, you can go here to see the easiest and most common jobs to find abroad.

And of course, make sure you’re properly covered with Yupwego WHV insurance.

To go further