Work holiday visas: 8 best countries better than Australia and New Zealand

No one seems to want a corporate job anymore. Now, the goal of having a stable income where you climb up the corporate ladder seems to be replaced by the freedom to work wherever you want. 

At least, that’s the case with Gen Z and millennial workers in the US. Around three in four (76% of them) agree that living and working where you want is the new American Dream.

In fact, they consider being a digital nomad a dream job, thanks to the appealing travel videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels, making it seem that working remotely is the way to go.

Although they claim digital nomadism is the future, some think it is more of a fad. This is why work holiday visas exist – your solution to travelling and working, albeit a temporary one.

But before into that, there is another option that everyone should consider: travelling, working AND studying i.e. studying abroad

Work holiday abroad VS studying abroad

A working holiday allows you to visit a country for longer than the average tourist, with the opportunity to take on short-term jobs.

Many people seek short-term jobs in multiple regions as a way to explore that country in-depth – like a test run to see if working there suits their style or not.

Studying abroad allows you to do the same level of exploration. The difference is that you are tied to an institution as a student, as opposed to working odd jobs, allowing for a more controlled experience.

Choosing between studying abroad and working while travelling depends on your goals, preferences, and circumstances. Here are some factors to consider for each option:

Cost

The main problem with pursuing an education abroad is the amount of money you will spend before, during, and after your studies. Tuition fees for international students don’t often come cheap. Plus, depending on your destination, living expenses in a foreign country can also be high.

And while many universities offer opportunities to earn money while studying, such as through internships, co-op programmes, and summer jobs on campus, these will not cover your tuition fees. As a student, you’ll also have limited work hours. 

A working holiday, on the other hand, can help cover your travelling expenses and generate extra cash for your adventure without being limited to the time off your studies, making it more financially feasible.

Time

One advantage of going on a work holiday is that you get to choose where to go and how long to stay, allowing for a more personalised experience.

And if you do not like where you are, you can hop on to the next country and start anew. A working holiday does not tie you down to anything else, giving you more flexibility to explore the country as you travel to various locations.

Enrolling in a study programme is a commitment that usually lasts several months to years. You will have some time to explore around too, especially when there aren’t assignments and exams that need to be done. 

Outcomes

Ultimately, the better option depends on what you hope to achieve. One gives you academic growth and better career prospects, while the other gives you work experience. Both, however, let you explore different cultures, which can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

“Studying abroad and working abroad are drastically different experiences, and both have presented me with two entirely different sets of obstacles,” Jaime Kask, who has some experience doing both, shares in a LinkedIn article. “Neither of them is easy, but both have given me some of my most cherished yet disparate skill sets that I would not give up for the world.”

Most popular types of work holiday visas

If you’re considering taking the plunge, you will want to know what jobs are available for those with a working holiday visa.

The most common ones are odd jobs – something that is flexible and easy, no questions asked. Others require more documents and approvals from a company, which means more work but double the income.

Farm work

The most stereotypical farm work is fruit-picking. A Quora user who has had 11 years of experience placing young people on working holiday visas divides fruit-picking into three categories: good jobs, hard jobs, and awful jobs.

They write: “A good job is picking apples, up a ladder, with a bag hanging around your neck, either on an hourly rate or by contract [requirements]. A hard job is picking capsicum at an hourly rate. Because capsicums are close to the ground, you need to work squatting or bending. An awful job is picking button squash and being paid by the bucket.”

Au pair

As an au pair, you’ll be living with a host family, taking care of their children and doing household tasks in exchange for food, a room, and some pocket money.

Being part of a local family will give you more insight into the culture, not to mention local family values, than if you were simply visiting as a tourist.

Restaurant work

Wait staff are often in demand as well, as are people taking orders at fast food places.

If you want to take it to the next level, take a barista course to work in cafés making latte art for hipsters or go for a Responsible Service of Alcohol training and certification to work in a bar. If working in the kitchen is more of your scene, be sure you have the culinary chops to prove your worth. 

English teacher

Various countries worldwide allow you to teach English on a work holiday visa, especially ones where English is not its first language, like Japan or South Korea. 

Unfortunately, the US and South Africa do not allow this unless through a work permit.

Is it difficult to obtain a work holiday visa?

Obtaining a work holiday visa is no different from other visas. It has its own challenges, which can lead to rejection if not presented correctly.

Depending on which country you go to, factors like age requirements, proof of funds, and document verifications are potential complexities that can complicate your application. Some countries even need you to demonstrate a genuine intention to travel and work temporarily.

Here are just some things to keep in mind when applying for a work holiday visa.

Application process

The application process for a work holiday visa typically takes a few weeks to complete, with most applications processed within one to two weeks. 

Always consult the official website of the country you are applying to for the most up-to-date processing times.

Cost

Australia costs the most at US$402, while South Korea is one of the lowest at US$45, though the exact cost may vary depending on your nationality and where you apply.

However, demonstrating sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay is often mandatory, requiring bank statements and proof of savings.

Nationality

Depending on your citizenship, you might not be able to apply for a work holiday visa in the country you want to travel to, even if you meet all other requirements.

Take Australia, for example. There are two types of work holiday visas that differ depending on your country of origin: the Work & Holiday Visa (subclass 462) and the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417).

10 best countries with work holiday visas

Australia

Australia has one of the most popular working holiday visas. In 2024, the country reported a total of 173,216 visa holders.

One of the reasons why the nation down under is so popular is because you might get a chance to extend your stay to work for two additional 12-month periods. For this, you must work in plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, or tourism and hospitality in Northern Australia only.

New Zealand

You can travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months. However, Canadian and UK citizens benefit the most because the country lets them travel and work for up to 23 months and 36 months, respectively.

People taking advantage of a New Zealand working holiday can also enrol for one or more training or study courses for a maximum of six months, just as long as they have the money to pay for a return flight ticket.

Canada

The International Experience Canada uses a lottery system to allocate work holiday visas to random applicants.

For those interested, one Reddit user advises to choose places like Jasper and Banff, Whistler, and Mt. Tremblant rather than major cities, as “these places are popular destinations for those on working holiday visas.”

Ireland

Young people from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the US can apply for an Irish work holiday visa.

Taiwanese applicants go through a different process here, though. Only the first 400 eligible applications will be selected for the Working Holiday Authorisation programme, which lets you commence your work holiday in the country for 12 months.

UK

The UK working holiday visa, also called the Youth Mobility Scheme, allows you to live and work in the nation for up to two years, plus an additional year if you are from Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.

All you have to do is pay the application fee of US$314, the healthcare surcharge of US$815 per year, and prove you have US$2,658 in personal savings.

Japan

Since starting its working holiday programmes in 1980, Japan now has 30 partner countries that allow you to work and travel at the Land of the Rising Sun.

While some countries let you work in places where alcohol is served, Japan strictly prohibits you from working at bars, cabarets, nightclubs, gambling establishments, and other premises affecting public morals in the country.

France

France’s working holiday visa is called the Young Traveller, which allows you to work and travel in the country for a year without any chance of extension.

You generally need to be between 18 and 30 years old to be eligible, but if you are from Argentina, Australia, or Canada, you have until your 36th birthday.

South Korea

South Korea’s working holiday is a one-time, 12-month visa, but an extension can be granted to US and UK nationals for up to six months and a year, respectively.

Through this, you’ll have the opportunity to register for Korean language courses at private educational institutions or Korean language schools.

Italy

Called the Youth Mobility Visa, the Italian working holiday visa allows 2,000 people aged 18 to 35 to spend a year working and travelling in other countries.

To be eligible, you must demonstrate not only that you have sufficient funds to support yourself at the beginning of your stay but also proof of having health insurance to cover your medical expenses and accommodation.

Chile

The Chile work holiday visa allows you to work and explore the country for up to one year.

Once here, you must find a job in the country yourself – Chilean authorities cannot help you. You are also not allowed to work for the same employer for more than six months, which means you will have at least two jobs during your time here.