What is a Working Holiday Visa? Can I use it to teach English abroad?

English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have established numerous relationships with countries throughout the world, including many countries in Europe that are popular destinations for teaching English abroad, including France, Germany, Italy and some other European nations.

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

Various countries throughout the world maintain reciprocal agreements with other nations that allow their citizens (typically youth under the age of 30 or 35) to work, live, and travel - usually for one year - in a foreign country legally through a Working Holiday Visa (also known as a "Youth Mobility Visa" in some cases).

Unfortunately, the United States and South Africa don’t currently maintain many Working Holiday Visa agreements with nations around the world that are typically strong markets for teaching English abroad. But don't let that stop you from considering teaching English in such nations as Italy and Germany, because there are still many opportunities and thousands of Americans do live and teach English in these countries.

Depending on the agreement between the two participating countries, there are qualifications to partake in the Working Holiday Visa exchange. Possible requirements could be:

• Age – The typical age requirements to participate are usually between 18-30 or 35 years old.
• Employment – Certain countries only allow travelers to work in specific positions.
• Money – Visitors generally need to prove that they have access to a certain amount of funds.
• Insurance – Some countries require proof of health or travel insurance.
• Length of Stay – Those who obtain a Working Holiday Visa can usually reside in a country for up to one year, however, this can vary according to each country’s agreement. 

For more information about obtaining a Working Holiday Visa, please see International TEFL Academy’s Working Holiday Visa Chart and contact the appropriate consulate in your home country for applications, requirements, and additional information.

International TEFL Academy is not endorsed to assist with the processing of Working Holiday Visas. However, our admissions advisors can provide advice and guidance when it comes to visa matters and teaching English abroad. 

The following websites also provide useful information:

• Working Holiday Visa on Wikipedia
• For Americans, this is a great article on Working Holiday Visas that are in mainly English-speaking countries

Related Articles:

• What is a visa and do I need a visa to teach English abroad?
• Do I need a passport to teach English abroad and how can I get one?
• What is teaching English abroad "under the table" without a work visa?
• The Canadian's Ultimate Guide to teaching English abroad