The short version
- A working holiday visa lets young adults live in another country for a while, travel and work.
- Each one is a deal between two countries, so your passport decides where you can go.
- Most are for ages 18 to 30 and last 12 months. Some go up to 35, and some last longer.
- Most ask for proof of savings, and many for a way home. Fees vary, and a few are free. Many have a yearly cap on places.
What is a working holiday visa?
It is a visa that lets young adults stay in another country for a while, travel, and work to help pay for the trip. New Zealand says its one lets you "travel, work and study" there, generally for up to 12 months.
Each scheme is a deal between two countries. Ireland says its agreements let people of both countries experience another culture and gain life and work experience abroad. That is why your passport decides which ones you can get.
The trip comes first and the job second. Some countries cap how long you can work for one employer. On Australia's 417 visa, it is usually 6 months with the same employer. Malaysia also allows 6 months with any one employer.
Which passports can get one?
In our list, 63 passports can get at least one working holiday visa, across 41 countries. Some passports have far more choice than others.
| Passport | Countries in our list |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 30 |
| Australia | 29 |
| Japan | 27 |
| Canada | 26 |
| United Kingdom | 11 |
| United States | 6 |
For Americans, the six are Australia, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal and South Korea. Ireland and South Korea are only for students and recent graduates. Austria is only for people who graduated in the last 12 months.
How old do you have to be?
Usually 18 to 30. That is the main rule for most visas in our list. But 22 of the 42 let some passports apply up to 35, and 35 is the highest age limit in our list.
For many, your age counts on the day you apply, not the day you arrive. Australia's 417 says you must apply before you turn 31, or 36 for passports with the higher limit. The UK takes 18 to 30 for most passports, and 18 to 35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea.
How long can you stay?
Most give you 12 months. That is the usual stay for 37 of the 42 visas in our list. A few give more:
- United Kingdom: 2 years. Australian, Canadian and New Zealand passports can add a third year.
- Australia: 12 months. Set regional work can get you a second and a third year.
- Canada: 12 months for most passports, and 24 months for some.
- New Zealand: 12 months for most. Canadians can stay up to 23 months, and UK passports up to 3 years.
How much does a working holiday visa cost?
It depends on the country, and sometimes on your passport. A few fees from our list:
| Visa | Fee |
|---|---|
| Australia | AUD 840 for most first visas, AUD 1,000 for a second or third |
| Canada | CAD 284.75: a CAD 184.75 participation fee plus a CAD 100 work permit fee. Add CAD 85 for fingerprints |
| United Kingdom | GBP 340, plus a health surcharge, usually GBP 776 for each year |
| New Zealand | From NZD 770 |
| Japan | Free for Australians |
The fee is not the only cost. Most visas also ask you to show savings. 24 of the 42 ask for a way home, a ticket or the money for one, and 12 ask for insurance. See what four of them ask you to save in earn money online before you move.
Are places limited?
Often, yes. Many countries set a number of places for each passport, each year. For 2026, the UK has 38,500 places for Australians, 10,000 for Canadians and 8,000 for New Zealanders. Canada's 2026 quota is 5,720 for Australians and 9,263 for UK passports.
Some have no cap for some passports. Japan has no cap for Australia, New Zealand and Germany, among others. Some add a step first. Canada puts you in a pool to wait for an invitation. The UK runs a free ballot for Hong Kong and Taiwan passports.
Can you get one more than once?
Sometimes. It depends on the country and your passport.
- Australia lets you get up to three 417 visas, one after another, if you do the set regional work. UK passports do not need the regional work.
- Canada lets some passports take part twice. Chile and Croatia can go twice in any category. For others, like Germany, the second time must be in a different category, not a second working holiday.
- Japan lets some passports go twice. Australians can go once only.
- Taiwan lets Australians apply once only. Japanese passports can go twice.
Is a youth mobility visa the same?
Mostly, yes. Countries use different names for the same idea: a long stay for young adults, with the right to work.
- Youth Mobility: the UK, Portugal and Monaco.
- Work and Holiday: Australia's 462 visa, Malaysia and Andorra. Australia's other one, the 417, takes different passports.
- PVT: France.
- Vacaciones y Trabajo: Argentina, Peru and Uruguay.
- Working holiday residence permit: Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
How do you find the ones you can get?
Use the free working holiday visa finder. Pick your passport and age. It shows every country in our list that takes you, with the age limit, length, cost, places and the official link to apply. Rules change, so read the official page before you apply.