Complete Guide: How To Escape ‘Normal Life’ Through Working Holiday Visas in 8 Countries

A working holiday visa allows you to live, travel, and work abroad temporarily. Each country has different requirements, but they all offer a great way to fund your travels while experiencing life overseas. It’s an excellent way to escape your current life quickly because you don’t need a lot of money saved – in some countries you can even save money while you’re there to fund your next non-working holidays!

Here’s a list (with minimal anecdotes🙊) describing the 9 countries that have Working Holiday Visas available for Brits. It includes links, costs and basic visa requirements. However, please double check on government websites as these things change often – especially the visa costs in this fantastic present state of exponential inflation 🤦‍♀️ (and let me know in the comments!)

1. Australia 🇦🇺

If you seek: Sun, sea, sand, waves, boats, fishing, money and easy integration.

• Visa Type: Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
• Age Limit: 18-35
• Duration: 12 months (extendable to 3 years with eligible work)
• Work Limitations: Max 6 months per employer
• Visa Cost: AUD 650 (~£335)
• Required Funds: AUD 5,000 (~£2,600)

Australia was the first working holiday visa I took advantage of. I arrived with about £300 to the land down under in 2008. (There was no proof of funds check at that point and my visa cost only £90! #BackInMyDay). I stayed in a hostel and had a job, maybe 2, within a week. Jobs are often posted on hostel notice boards, and some businesses even have partnerships with hostels – especially in farm working areas. If you contribute to the agricultural industry through fruit picking etc, you earn the opportunity for a second and even third year in Australia. By that point you’ll be talking/drinking and dating an Aussie for sure eh!💞 (The other visa obtaining route!🤣).

I recommend Oz if you are feeling the fear a little. It’s super easy to meet people as there is a huge hostel culture with backpackers and gap year folk. The culture is not much different from the UK so no major culture shock to navigate from my perspective – on the coast that is. The outback is a different kettle of fish! But definitely worth a visit if you’re feeling brave.

MONEY TIP : Find work away from the major cities/coasts to earn and save the most cash. Less temptations=More money in the bank.

2. New Zealand 🇳🇿

If you seek: Outdoor adventure, beautiful nature, a laid-back lifestyle and chill people.

• Visa Type: Working Holiday Visa
• Age Limit: 18-35
• Duration: 12 – 36 months
• Work Limitations: Short-term employment only
• Visa Cost: NZD 670 (~£300)
• Required Funds: NZD 4,200 (~£2,000)

3. Canada 🇨🇦

If you seek: Stunning landscapes, outdoor adventure, open spaces, bears and politeness 😆

• Visa Type: International Experience Canada (IEC)
• Age Limit: 18-35
• Duration: Up to 2 years
• Work Limitations: Open work permit (any employer)
• Visa Cost: CAD 346 (~£200)
• Required Funds: CAD 2,500 (~£1,450)

I spent over 2 years in Canada. British Colombia is breath-taking. I chose to stay in Whistler for a ski season working in a chalet, restaurant and for a cleaning company. Then I moved to the Okanagan to pick wild mushrooms and harvest a multitude of fruits over the summer/autumn. Utilising a working holiday visa in Canada give you a great base to explore the Americas. I drove to Mexico half way through my stay to avoid the second winter 🥶 – definitely the right decision for me. I also ended up inadvertently doing a visa run after the 2 years providing me an extra 6 months as a ‘tourist’ because the USA denied me entry – a story for another day!

4. Japan 🇯🇵

If you seek: Complete culture change, ancient traditions, language learning, sushi and snow!

• Visa Type: Working Holiday Visa
• Age Limit: 18-30
• Duration: 12-24 months
• Work Limitations: No full-time professional jobs
• Visa Cost: £17-£35
• Required Funds: £2,500+ (or return flight ticket)

My brother lived in Japan for a year teaching English and loved it. However, he did say it was hard to integrate fully, which is a typical evaluation. FYI – he was not on a working holiday visa, there are other options! Anyway, it’s on my bucket list!

5. South Korea 🇰🇷

If you seek: high-tech innovation, a dynamic pop culture scene, hiking, history and food!

• Visa Type: H-1 Working Holiday Visa
• Age Limit: 18-30
• Duration: 12 months
• Work Limitations: No teaching English or entertainment industry and <25 hours p/w
• Visa Cost: £47
• Required Funds: £1,500+

6. Hong Kong 🇭🇰

If you seek: City-life, proximity to south-east Asia, business, nature and a big expat community.

• Visa Type: Working Holiday Scheme
• Age Limit: 18-30
• Duration: 12 months
• Work Limitations: Max 6 months per employer
• Visa Cost: HKD 510 (~£50)
• Required Funds: HKD 25,000 (~£2,500)

7. Singapore 🇸🇬

If you seek: A cosmopolitan city-life, clean streets, diverse food and easy-access to Asia.

• Visa Type: Work Holiday Pass
• Age Limit: 18-25
• Duration: 6 months
• Work Limitations: ONLY for university students or recent graduates
• Visa Cost: $175 (~£100)
• Required Funds: Sufficient to cover stay

8. Taiwan 🇹🇼

If you seek: Safety, nature, history, food and typhoons!

• Visa Type: Working Holiday Visa
• Age Limit: 18-30
• Duration: 12 months
• Work Limitations: Max 6 months per employer
• Visa Cost: £50
• Required Funds: TWD 100,000 (~£2,500)

Honestly, this one looks a little complicated, like providing proof that the main purpose of your trip is for vacation. However, when it’s difficult, it’s usually off the beaten track, which is where the wild stories are made.

9. Monaco 🇲🇨

If you seek: Luxury, Mediterranean climate, glamour, casinos, and yacht culture.

• Visa Type: Youth Mobility Scheme
• Age Limit: 18-30
• Duration: 12 months
• Work Limitations: Must not have previously worked in Monaco
• Visa Cost: €150 (~£125)
• Required Funds: Sufficient funds to cover stay

Monaco offers a unique working holiday experience on the French Riviera. This tiny principality known for its wealth, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and beautiful Mediterranean setting provides an opportunity to experience high-end European culture. Jobs in hospitality, retail, and yacht services are most common for working holiday visa holders.

Working Holiday Visa Comparison: Find Your Perfect Destination

Country	Age Limit	Duration	Visa Cost	Required Funds	Work Limitations	Special Notes
🇦🇺 Australia	18-35	12 months (extendable to 3 years)	AUD 650 (~£335)	AUD 5,000 (~£2,600)	Max 6 months per employer	Extendable with agricultural work
🇳🇿 New Zealand	18-35	12-36 months	NZD 670 (~£300)	NZD 4,200 (~£2,000)	Short-term employment only	Great for outdoor enthusiasts
🇨🇦 Canada	18-35	2 years	CAD 346 (~£200)	CAD 2,500 (~£1,450)	Open work permit (any employer)	Offers flexibility with employer options
🇯🇵 Japan	18-30	12-24 months	£17-£35	£2,500+ (or return flight ticket)	No full-time professional jobs	Cultural immersion opportunity
🇰🇷 South Korea	18-30	12 months	£47	£1,500+	No teaching English or entertainment industry, max 25 hours p/w	Vibrant urban culture
🇭🇰 Hong Kong	18-30	12 months	HKD 510 (~£50)	HKD 25,000 (~£2,500)	Max 6 months per employer	Gateway to exploring Asia
🇸🇬 Singapore	18-25	6 months	$175 (~£100)	Sufficient to cover stay	Only for university students or recent graduates	Shortest duration option
🇹🇼 Taiwan	18-30	12 months	£50	TWD 100,000 (~£2,500)	Max 6 months per employer	Requires proof of vacation as main purpose
🇲🇨 Monaco	18-30	12 months	€150 (~£125)	€2000 (~£1,700)	Must not have previously worked in Monaco	Exclusive European option with minimal visa cost

The Bottom Line

• Visa costs vary between £0 and £350 . Proof of funds is also sometimes required. As long as it sits in your bank account on arrival for the document check you may choose to transfer it somewhere else once you’re in!
• Most visas last 12 months (except 6 months for Singapore), but Australia, New Zealand and Canada now offer extensions up to 3 years!
• ⌛️ Time-sensitive: Most have age limits of 30-35, so get moving! (I only managed 2 on the list and I had grand plans for many more – but time caught up!) Look at Australia, New Zealand and Canada if you are 30+ years old.

Other Considerations For Your Working Holiday Visa Application

• Proof of Travel Insurance is usually required for the duration of your stay. Always check the requirements in detail.
• Generally you cannot bring dependents on a working holiday visa 😓.
• CHECK: Sometimes there is a limited number of visas allocated per country which re-start on particular dates.
• Sometimes Police checks and/or medical tests are required. (A criminal record does not always mean you are not permitted) Please study the Terms and Conditions.

And So…..

I hope that has given you some inspiration by learning what is available out there, far away from this small island we have grown up on.

If there’s a will there’s a way!

I meet plenty of people with the drive to explore yet they are missing some important knowledge of the options available: Please share this with fellow willing rat race escapees and …