Think you missed your window to live and work abroad? Not all hope is lost! Several countries offer a Working Holiday Visa under 35, giving us elder adventure-seekers more time. 35 is the new 30, as they say. I’ve looked into which countries offer extended age limits. Here are the nationalities that qualify and how to get a WHV even if your twenties are officially behind you.
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Getting a Working Holiday Visa over 30
The terms of a Working Holiday Visa are based on bilateral agreements between countries. So what’s available to one traveler may not apply to another with a different passport. For example, Canadians are eligible for a working holiday in France until age 35, but Americans aren’t.
If you’re from Canada, Argentina, Australia, or New Zealand, I’ve got great news! We seem to have some sort of special privilege and can often apply for WHVs up to 35 when others are capped at 30. I guess our countries are just cool with all the other countries. Or maybe we just look so youthful, I don’t know.
But if you’re not from one of those countries, have no fear, lots of countries accept other nationalities under 35, too.
All countries that offer a Working Holiday Visa under 35
Most countries with Working Holiday Visas for people up to 35 years old only offer this to some nationalities. I’ll do my best to cover them all here. But the rules change frequently, so it’s always best to visit the country’s official WHV page for the most up-to-date requirements. I’ve included resources so you can dive into the details.
I suggest using the search function (command+F or ctrl+F) to look for your nationality on this list to see what’s available to you.
In short, here are all the countries that offer a Working Holiday Visa under 35. In alphabetical order! But I’ll go into more detail below.
Argentina
Australia
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
South Korea
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Europe Working Holiday Visa under 35
- Czech Republic: Accepts applications from Canadians and New Zealand citizens up to 35 years old. (It’s pretty complicated for Kiwis and you have to fly all the way to Sydney to apply IRL.) More details here.
- Denmark: Citizens of Canada, Australia, and South Korea can apply for a visa under 35. New Zealand is the only other nationality with a WHV agreement, but the max age is 31 for some reason. Details for all nationalities here.
- Finland: Canadians and New Zealanders up to 35 can apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Finland. Up to 30 for Aussies and Japanese citizens. See requirements here.
Northern Lights in Finland
- France: Working Holday Visas are eligible for Canadians, Australians, and Argentinians under 35. Citizens of 13 other countries can also apply under 30. Details here.
- Hungary: Accepts applications from citizens of Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and Taiwan up to 35 years old. People from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea can apply under 30. Details here.
Ireland: Canadians, Australians, and Argentinians under 35 years old can apply for a Working Holiday Visa. (New Zealanders and other nationalities eligible if applicants are under 30.) Details for all eligible nationalities here.
Consider an eSIM for your next trip or throughout your Working Holiday Visa.
Read more: Holafly eSIM Honest Review
- Italy: Canadians and Australians are the only ones who can apply under 35. Kiwis and South Koreans under 30 can also apply. Italy also has some digital nomad/remote work schemes that are more broad. Details here. It’s known as a Youth Mobility Visa rather than WHV, but same same.
- Portugal: WHVs available to people under 34 or 35 for some nationalities, including Argentinians, Canadians, South Koreans, and Uruguayans. A few other nationalities can apply under 30. Details and requirements here.
- United Kingdom: Travelers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea can apply under 35. What makes this one a little more unique is that you get 24 months instead of the usual 12. Aussies, Canadians, and Kiwis can also extend for a third year. Find more details here.
Asia-Pacific Working Holiday Visa under 35
- Australia: WHVs are available to people under 35 with Canadian, Danish, French, Irish, Italian, or British citizenship. Some can extend for another year or two (after meeting rural work requirements). Full list of eligible Working Holiday Visas for under 35s here.
- New Zealand: 35-year-old travelers from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Czechia, Finland, Hungary, Slovakia, the UK, and Uruguay can apply for a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand. A ton of other nationalities can apply under 30. Full list with details here.
- South Korea: Citizens of Canada, Luxembourg, and the UK can apply up to 35. But if you’re from Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, or Taiwan, you can apply up to 34. More countries are eligible under 30. Details here.
Mine Bay, Taupo, New Zealand
North & South America Working Holiday Visa under 35
- Argentina: You can get a Working Holiday Visa if you’re 35 and from New Zealand, Ireland, or France. Otherwise, 30 is the limit for more nationalities. See this list for details.
- Canada: Accepts applications for Working Holidayers up to 35 years old for many nationalities including Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the UK, and more. See if your country is on this International Experience Canada (IEC) list. Some countries are only up to 30, but most are 35.
- Chile: Canadians and New Zealanders under 35 can apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Chile. More nationalities are eligible under 30. More details here.
- Uruguay: New Zealand citizens are the only ones who can get a Working Holiday visa for under 35s in Uruguay. Details here.
Lake Morraine, Alberta, Canada
Read more: Non-Digital Nomad Jobs for Long-Term Travel
Countries that only offer WHVs to Canadians up to 35
Some countries only offer the extended age range for Canadians on a Working Holiday Visa. Sorry. (Very Canadian of me.) All of these countries offer WHVs to at least a few other nationalities under 30 as well, but this article is about under 35s.
- Germany: WHVs only for Canadians up to 35 years old.
- Latvia: Accepts WHV applications for Canadians up to 35.
- Lithuania: WHVs available for Canadians up to 35.
- Norway: Offers a Working Holiday for Canadians up to 36 years old.
- Switzerland: Offers a Youth Mobility Program to Canadians under 35 for 12-18 months.
Maybe I’m biased, but Canada seems to have the best bilateral agreements. This makes it a great country to visit on a Working Holiday Visa, and it has the best opportunities for its citizens under 35 who want to live and work abroad. Win-win!
FAQs about Working Holiday visas
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about getting a Working Holiday Visa under 35. (And WHVs in general.)
Can I still apply if I just turned 35?
This depends on the finer details of the agreement. Some say things like “18 to 35 inclusive” which means you can still apply if you’ve turned 35. You usually need to secure the visa and enter the country before you turn 36, though. Other agreements specify 35 as the max age, meaning you need to apply before your 35th birthday.
How long can I stay on a Working Holiday Visa?
Most WHVs are just for 12 months, but a few countries offer some citizens a two-year Working Holiday Visa or give you the option to extend.
For example, I was able to apply for a 23-month WHV as a Canadian going to New Zealand. And Australia lets most working holidayers extend their visa for another year if they complete 3 months of farmwork in the first 12-month period. You can even make it 3 years if you’re willing to do farm work for a total of 9 months. (That would be a no from me. Too many spiders.)
Are there any work restrictions?
You usually can’t take on permanent roles, just contracts. The types of work you’ll likely take on during a Working Holiday include retail, hospitality (restaurants, hotels, ski resorts), construction, farm work, language teaching, and office administration. Though that’s definitely not all! You can do whatever as long as it’s not permanent.
Some countries limit the number of months you’re allowed to work for the same employer.
What are the travel opportunities like?
You can usually travel around as much as you want. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll be making a ton of money, and countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada can be expensive. So it’s best to arrive with a bit of a travel fund. The absolute best way to do it (if you can) is to get your Working Holiday Visa, arrive in the country and travel around, then settle down in your favourite place. Tbh, I’ve never been organized enough to do it this way, but it would be ideal.
Do I have to pay taxes on a Working Holiday Visa?
The requirements, tax rates, and definition of how this all works will differ between countries. But generally speaking, if you’re in any country for 183+ days of the year, you’re a “resident for tax purposes.” So I’m sorry to tell ya, that does mean you will have to pay tax on your earnings.
Fortunately, it doesn’t (usually) mean you have to pay double tax in your home country and your WHV country. (Unless you’re American, and then I’m pretty sure you’ll always be paying double tax.)
What are the typical application requirements?
Beyond the age restrictions, there are a few other eligibility things you might need for your Working Holiday Visa application. Proof of funds is a common one, health insurance is another.
Tips for getting your Working Holiday Visa
Plan early
Spots can be limited or competitive.
For example, Canada has a lottery system where you express interest and pay for the application. But then they basically pull some numbers out of a hat to decide who gets in! So you’ll want to jump on this quickly to make sure you meet the deadline for the lottery. One of my British friends had to apply for the Canadian WHV lottery twice, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it the first time around.
Another example is Argentina, which puts a cap on the number of WHVers from each country. They only accept 1,000 New Zealanders, 1,500 Australians, and 200 Irish nationals per year. So if you’re from a country with a low quota, you’ll want to apply ASAP. And maybe even have a backup plan.
Consider insurance
This is often a requirement for your visa approval. And even if it isn’t, it’s just a good idea! I went on a few trips without insurance when I was in my early 20s and felt invincible, but that was literally stupid lol.
Join some Facebook groups
I know this may sound silly. But it’s the best way to get some hot tips from other people who’ve already moved there and have been through the application process.
It’s also a great way to potentially make some friends if you’re moving on your own. You can also use groups to find job opportunities and rooms in shared houses. (But watch out for scams.)
Think about your lifestyle and where you want to live
Ok so this tip won’t help you get the visa, but it’ll help you make the most of it.
Consider what kind of work-life balance and experience you want to have. If you’re applying for a Canadian WHV, do you want to work at an office in bustling Toronto or at a ski resort in the Rockies? When you think of living in Italy, do you picture yourself guiding walking tours of Milan, working at a vineyard, or living your White Lotus fantasy as a hotel concierge in Sicily?
Is a Working Holiday Visa under 35 worth it?
I’d give that an enthusiastic yes! A Working Holiday Visa under 35 is still a great way to do a little slow travel and really soak up life in a new destination.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet other people your age, and there are job opportunities in several fields. So even if you’re established in your career, it can be a nice career break without totally derailing your life.
For example, I did some temp work for Auckland Council, the University of Auckland, and Transdev Auckland (the city’s rail operator at the time). These office experiences still looked great on my resume and helped me develop my comms and marketing skills.
I also got to do some of the most beautiful hikes on the planet, visit several Pacific Islands, and make other traveler friends from all over the world. Far less likely I’d have achieved that if I’d stayed in Toronto. So I say go for it!