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A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a permit allowing foreigners to live and work in a host country for a specific period of time. In some countries,
it is possible to receive a Working Holiday Visa for Au Pair programs, too. Whether you can apply for this visa or not depends on your host country and nationality. That means that your prospective host country and your homeland must have this arrangement.
Can the Working Holiday Visa be issued to Au Pairs?
Yes! A Working Holiday Visa is a type of permit usually issued for au pairing abroad. We recommend checking the regulations between your country and the future host country. All the information is available at the host country’s embassy located in your country.
If you can't become an Au Pair in your dream destination country with a WHV, ask the embassy which kind of
visa you need.
Many countries use the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) as the main legal pathway for young candidates who want to become Au Pairs abroad. This visa allows you to live with a Host Family, provide childcare assistance, and participate in cultural exchange activities during your stay.
While
conditions vary from one destination to another, Au Pairs holding a WHV can usually:
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Live with a Host Family, and assist them with childcare and light household duties.
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Attend a language course or cultural activities to improve their skills.
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Travel and explore the host country during free time.
It’s important to note that
the WHV is designed for temporary stays. The visa typically lasts 6 to 12 months, and it can be extended in some specific cases.
Before applying, make sure that:
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The Working Holiday agreement between your country and your chosen destination allows au pairing.
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You meet all eligibility requirements for both the WHV and the Au Pair program (age, insurance, contract, and working hours).
To qualify for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in 2025, applicants usually need to meet a few
standard requirements set by both their home country and the host country. While exact rules vary by destination, the following requirements are common to most WHV programs:
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Age: Typically between 18 and 30 years old (some countries extend eligibility up to 35).
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Passport validity: You must hold a valid passport from a country that has a bilateral Working Holiday agreement with the host nation.
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Financial means: Proof of sufficient funds is often required to cover living expenses and return travel at the start of your stay.
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Health insurance: Comprehensive health and travel insurance covering the entire duration of your stay is mandatory in many destinations.
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No dependents: You must travel without children or dependents, as the WHV is designed for young, independent travelers.
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Clean record: Some countries may ask for a police clearance certificate to ensure a clean criminal record.
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Temporary stay: The WHV is intended for short-term cultural exchange, usually allowing you to live, travel, and work for a period of 6 to 12 months (in some cases, it can be extended).
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First-time applicants: In most cases, you must not have previously received a Working Holiday Visa for the same country.
Before applying, always check the specific eligibility criteria and required documents with the embassy or immigration authority of your chosen host country, as each program has its own rules.
Each Working Holiday Visa (WHV) program is based on a
bilateral agreement between two countries. Below you’ll find a list of popular WHV destinations and the partner countries whose citizens are typically eligible.
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Au Pairs and working holidays.
Its Working Holiday Scheme has two sub-classes:
417 (Working Holiday Visa) and
462 (Work and Holiday Visa). Before applying, check which one your country has a reciprocal arrangement with. As per the latest updates in July and September 2025, the countries having an agreement with Australia (in one or both subclasses) are:
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
Canada has bilateral agreement with 36 countries that allows for a temporary work permit category under the
International Experience Canada (IEC) program. The list might change often, so we advise you to check your availability using the
official government website’s tool.
After Brexit, Ireland’s Au Pair program has become increasingly popular. While EU citizens don’t need a visa to join,
candidates from non-EU countries must apply for one. As of July 2025, Ireland maintains bilateral Working Holiday Visa agreements with the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States.
Check here your eligibility to work as an Au Pair under this visa.
In the latest update (January 2025),
Japan confirmed Working Holiday Visa agreements with 31 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Uruguay.
Please
click here to check your eligibility and the number of visas issued to people of your nationality each year, as it is, in some cases, limited.
South Korea has bilateral WHV agreements with 29 countries:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States.
In general, young travelers entering South Korea with this visa can work up to 25 hours per week. Some countries might have a limit on employment periods, as well as an age limit for applying for this visa. Please
check your eligibility and possible work restrictions here.
List of countries with the Working Holiday Visa Scheme
Below you can see a list of the countries offering the Working Holiday Visa. To know if you can be entitled to one, please check the visa information in your home country.
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America: Argentina, Chile, Canada, Mexico.
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Asia: Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan.
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Europe: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom.
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Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
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