AUSTRALIA
WORK AND HOLIDAY
WORK AND ENJOY
A NEW WAY OF WORKING
In Australia there are two very similar types of visas, one is the Work and Holiday 462 and the other is the Working Holiday 417. They do not make much difference with respect to the rights and benefits you have when you get one of these visas.
The main difference is in the requirements to be able to apply for it. And how do I know which one to apply? This is very simple, it will depend on your country of origin.
Here you can see the different requirements:
WORK AND HOLIDAY 462
WORKING HOLIDAY 417
WORK AND HOLIDAY 462
WORKING HOLIDAY 417
WORK AND HOLIDAY 462
Which countries can apply for this visa?
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR WORK AND HOLIDAY
Have a passport from one of the eligible countries, valid for more than 6 months.
In some countries it varies, but as a general rule, it is between 18 and 30 years. If you turn 31 once you have applied for a visa, you will have no problem, you will be able to travel anyway.
Have at least two full years of university studies or higher vocational training. It will change depending on your country of origin.
Demonstrate that you have at least a functional level of the language.
Have at least AUD 5000 plus return airfare or the amount to be able to purchase it.
- Not having participated in a Working Holiday (417) or a Work and Holiday (462).
- Not having had any visa denied or cancelled.
- No one can be added to your visa.
- Medical examination: It is only mandatory for some nationalities, although it may be requested.
- Letter of support: Only mandatory for some nationalities.
- Visa application: The application is online and must be made from outside Australia. During the application it has to be taken into account:
– Comply with health requirements.
– Comply with character requirements.
– Sign Australia’s statement of values.
– Make the payment of the application.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION
A copy of your passport pages. This should show the details of your information, including the date of issue and expiration date of your passport.
- Your birth certificate must show your full name and the names of both parents. If you are unable to provide a birth certificate, one of the following will be required:
– Family records showing names and dates of birth.
– Identity documents issued by a government authority.
– An official document certifying your identity issued by a court of law.
* Evidence of your name change (if applicable).
- Photos should be:
– Passport size
– Less than 6 months
– Good quality color. Laser copies are not accepted
– A complete view of the head and shoulders
– Shot against a plain light-colored background
– You can wear non-polarized prescription glasses.
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself. Generally, you are required to show that you have about AUD 5,000, including money to pay for your arrangements to leave Australia after your visa ends.
Copy of the academic transcript together with a certified translation.
Copy of the English certificate, which proves that you have a functional level.
Only countries of origin where required.
Good Character Form and Signature of the Australian Declaration of Values. (Online Application).
If someone is helping you with your visa application, please send the following:
– Form 956a
– Form 956
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR WORK AND HOLIDAY
Have a passport from one of the eligible countries, valid for more than 6 months.
In some countries it varies, but as a general rule, it is between 18 and 30 years. If you turn 31 once you have applied for a visa, you will have no problem, you will be able to travel anyway.
Have at least two full years of university studies or higher vocational training. It will change depending on your country of origin.
Demonstrate that you have at least a functional level of the language.
Have at least AUD 5000 plus the return airfare or the amount to be able to purchase it.
- Not having participated in a Working Holiday (417) or a Work and Holiday (462).
- Not having had any visa denied or cancelled.
- Have no one in charge: No one can be added to your visa.
- Medical examination: It is only mandatory for some nationalities, although it may be requested.
- Letter of support: Only mandatory for some nationalities.
- Visa application: The application is online and must be made from outside Australia. During the application it has to be taken into account:
– Comply with health requirements.
– Comply with character requirements.
– Sign Australia’s statement of values.
– Make the payment of the application.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION
A copy of your passport pages. This should show the details of your information, including the date of issue and expiration date of your passport.
- Your birth certificate must show your full name and the names of both parents. If you are unable to provide a birth certificate, one of the following will be required:
– Family records showing names and dates of birth.
– Identity documents issued by a government authority.
– An official document certifying your identity issued by a court of law.
* Evidence of your name change (if applicable).
- Photos should be:
– Passport size
– Less than 6 months
– Good quality color. Laser copies are not accepted
– A complete view of the head and shoulders
– Shot against a plain light-colored background
– You can wear non-polarized prescription glasses.
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself. Generally, you are required to show that you have about AUD 5,000, including money to pay for your arrangements to leave Australia after your visa ends.
Copy of the academic transcript together with a certified translation.
Copy of the English certificate, which proves that you have a functional level.
Only countries of origin where required.
Good Character Form and Signature of the Australian Declaration of Values. (Online Application).
If someone is helping you with your visa application, please send the following:
– Form 956a
– Form 956
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Demonstrate that you have at least a functional level of the language. You can demonstrate it in the following way:
- A passport from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.
- An English certificate with the characteristics detailed below:
- International English Language Testing System or IELTS with an average score of 4.5 in all four sections of the test (speaking, writing, reading and listening) and taken within the last 12 months. Reviewing the immigration information we understand that they ask for a 4.5 as an average between all parts of the exam (so if one of them is lower than 4.5 nothing happens).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test or TOEFL iBT with a score of at least 32 on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. Must have been completed no more than twelve months after the visa application.
- Pearson Test of English Academic or PTE Academic with a score of at least 30 on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening, taken no more than 12 months ago.
- Cambridge English Advanced(CAE) with a minimum score of 147 on all four parts of the exam. The examination must have been performed during the 12 months prior to the visa application.
- Have completed primary education and at least three years of secondary education in a school with full instruction in English.
- Have completed at least five years of secondary education in a school with full instruction in English.
- To have studied one year (full-time) in an Australian Institution with full English teaching with the objective of winning an award.
Some countries have to make it mandatory, the rest do not, although they may request it after making the application and before making the decision.
The following countries are required to make the medical examination mandatory:
- Brazil
- China
- Ecuador
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Not all countries need it. The following countries must request it prior to application:
- Ecuador – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility.
- Greece – Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.
- Indonesia – Directorate General of Immigration.
- Luxembourg – Service National de la Jeunesse.
- Malaysia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
- Peru – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Poland – Ministry of Economic Development.
- San Marino – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Slovenia – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Thailand – Department of Children and Youth, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
- Turkey – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Uruguay – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
WORKING HOLIDAY 417
Which countries can apply for this visa?
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR A WORKING HOLIDAY
Have a passport from one of the eligible countries, valid for more than 6 months.
In some countries it varies, but as a general rule, it is between 18 and 30 years. If you turn 31 once you have applied for a visa, you will have no problem, you will be able to travel anyway. There are some countries where it is extended to 35 years of age. (Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland and Italy)
Have at least AUD 5000 plus the return airfare or the amount to be able to purchase it.
- Not having participated in a Working Holiday (417) or a Work and Holiday (462).
- Not having had any visa denied or cancelled.
- No one can be added to your visa.
- Medical examination: It is not mandatory, but may be required.
- Visa application: The application is online and must be made from outside Australia. During the application it has to be taken into account:
– Comply with health requirements.
– Comply with character requirements.
– Sign Australia’s statement of values.
– Make the payment of the application.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION
A copy of your passport pages. This should show the details of your information, including the date of issue and expiration date of your passport.
- Your birth certificate must show your full name and the names of both parents. If you are unable to provide a birth certificate, one of the following will be required:
– Family records showing names and dates of birth.
– Identity documents issued by a government authority.
– An official document certifying your identity issued by a court of law.
* Evidence of your name change (if applicable).
- The photos must be:
– Passport size
– Less than 6 months
– Good quality color. Laser copies are not accepted
– A complete view of the head and shoulders
– Shot against a plain light-colored background
– You can wear non-polarized prescription glasses.
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself. Generally, you are required to show that you have about AUD 5,000, including money to pay for your arrangements to leave Australia after your visa ends.
Good Character Form and Signature of the Australian Declaration of Values. (Online Application).
If someone is helping you with your visa application, please send the following:
– Form 956a
– Form 956
REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY FOR A WORKING HOLIDAY
Have a passport from one of the eligible countries, valid for more than 6 months.
In some countries it varies, but as a general rule, it is between 18 and 30 years. If you turn 31 once you have applied for a visa, you will have no problem, you will be able to travel anyway. There are some countries where it is extended to 35 years of age. (Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland and Italy)
Have at least AUD 5000 plus the return airfare or the amount to be able to purchase it.
- Not having participated in a Working Holiday (417) or a Work and Holiday (462).
- Not having had any visa denied or cancelled.
- Have no one in charge: No one can be added to your visa.
- Medical examination: It is not mandatory, but may be required.
- Visa application: The application is online and must be made from outside Australia. During the application it has to be taken into account:
– Comply with health requirements.
– Comply with character requirements.
– Sign Australia’s statement of values.
– Make the payment of the application.
NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION
A copy of your passport pages. This should show the details of your information, including the date of issue and expiration date of your passport.
- Your birth certificate must show your full name and the names of both parents. If you are unable to provide a birth certificate, one of the following will be required:
– Family records showing names and dates of birth.
– Identity documents issued by a government authority.
– An official document certifying your identity issued by a court of law.
* Evidence of your name change (if applicable).
- The photos must be:
– Passport size
– Less than 6 months
– Good quality color. Laser copies are not accepted
– A complete view of the head and shoulders
– Shot against a plain light-colored background
– You can wear non-polarized prescription glasses.
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself. Generally, you are required to show that you have about AUD 5,000, including money to pay for your arrangements to leave Australia after your visa ends.
Good Character Form and Signature of the Australian Declaration of Values. (Online Application).
If someone is helping you with your visa application, please send the following:
– Form 956a
– Form 956
BENEFITS OF OBTAINING A WORK AND HOLIDAY (462) OR A WORKING HOLIDAY (417)
1. What are the benefits?
- Stay: Stay up to 12 months in the country from the date of arrival.
- Multi-entry: Once you have entered the country and your visa has been activated, you can enter and leave the country as many times as you wish.
- Work: You can work for up to 6 months with the same employer, in the sector of your choice.
- Studies: You can study for a maximum of 4 months.
Visa extension: You can extend your visa for a second and third time.
2. How is it requested?
- Online Application:
- Create your ImmiAccount and save your data.
- Log in to your ImmiAccount that you have created and look for the New Application option.
- Select the Work and Holiday Visa or Working Holiday Visa.
- Fill in the Application Context section to let them know where you are applying from and your general intentions.
- Accept the visa conditions. You must read them, they are important!
- Fill in your passport information.
- Check that the data is correct and confirm.
- Inform the government if you have previously been in Australia and if so, they will ask you for some more info.
- Fill in your contact details, resident information and above all, indicate an e-mail address correctly because this is where your approved visa will be sent to you.
- Upload your valid studies by adding them one by one in “ADD” if necessary.
- You will then be asked to enter your intentions to work in Australia. It is important to remember that if you mention jobs related to child care or the health sector as you will be asked for more documents than you would need to do so.
- Validate your English level by filling in the requested fields.
- Declare that you meet the health requirements for travel to Australia.
- Declare your criminal record.
- You declare that all the information and documentation you provide is true.
- Upload the requested documents: Passport and photograph, your English certificate, document proving your financial means, university degrees or transcripts (with translation).
- Verify your e-mail one more time.
- Enter your credit card information for the visa charge.
3. What is the cost?
This visa is priced at 635AUD.
4. How can I apply?
Working Holidays can be applied for at any time, as they are unlimited, but Work and Holidays, it is recommended, from July 1st of each year, you can apply for your visa. Please note that the government grants visas on a first-come, first-served basis and there are a limited number of visas that vary from country to country.
How long can I stay on a Work and Holiday visa?
You can stay for one year in Australia on a working vacation visa. Once your visa is granted, you have 12 months to enter Australia and use your working vacation visa; your visa is activated as soon as you enter Australia. In case you do not use the 417 or 462 visa one year after it is granted, your visa will no longer be valid and this time limit will not be extended.
Your working vacation visa will start the moment you enter Australia, even if you have another temporary visa or one of the visas listed below:
– A special purpose visa
– An ETA (Electronic Travel Authority)
– A crew travel authority
– A maritime crew visa
Can I stay longer?
You cannot stay longer on a Working Holiday/Work and Holiday. However, you may be eligible for a visitor visa that will extend your stay in Australia, but you must show convincing evidence of why you need to stay to qualify for a visitor visa.
7. Can I apply for a second 417 or 462 visa?
You can apply for a second-year 417 or 462. However, you must meet the work criteria for your second year visa; this means that you have worked for (88 days) three months in a specific job that the Department of Foreign Affairs will count towards your second year.
How to apply for the second W&H
You will be eligible to apply if you worked in the tourism and hospitality industry on or after June 22, 2021 in northern Australia or remote areas. This is what is considered eligible specific work required for a second or third visa application.
How to apply for the third W&H
On November 5, 2018, the Australian government announced the possibility of extending the visa for a third year. However, to apply you must have done at least 6 months of specified work. “6 months” means a period equivalent to the shortest 6 “calendar” months of the year, i.e., a minimum period of 179 calendar days, including weekends or equivalent days off during your period of employment.
8. Can I take my family members with me on this visa?
No, your family members cannot apply to join your visa. In case you have dependent children, it would also not be possible for them to join.
9. Can I study on this visa?
You are allowed to study for four months with a Work and Holiday or Working Holiday. In case your study program lasts longer, you must apply for a student visa.
10. Can I travel with a 417 or 462?
You can travel as much as necessary but keep in mind that time spent outside Australia counts towards your one-year validity period.
11. Is it possible to be self-employed?
Yes, you can be self-employed with a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday, but you can only maintain an employment contract for six months with the same business or company. You can also apply for an ABN (Australian Business Number) if you are self-employed.
After obtaining the Work and Holiday/Working Holiday visa
Once your visa is granted, you must be careful to follow some specific requirements so that the Immigration Department does not cancel your visa:
- As long as you are in Australia on a 417 or 462 visa, you must pay tax. The income tax rate for working vacation visa holders is 15%.
- Your employer is obligated to pay for your retirement (retirement plan) while earning a specific amount of money. Subsequently, you can access your pension after leaving the country.
- Health insurance: It is strongly recommended to take out health insurance that can cover any future health problems while in Australia. Some countries have a reciprocal agreement for health insurance with Australia, you should check if your country is part of the agreement before applying for a visa.
- Condition 8547- Employer’s work limitation. Generally speaking, with the 417 or 462 visa you can only work for the same employer for 6 months. You can access your employment rights on VEVO (visa entitlement verification online).
DO YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION INFORMATION ?
Don’t worry, here we detail and solve all the doubts you may have.