WHM visas are usually offered under agreements between certain countries, to encourage travel and cultural exchange between their citizens. Listed below are the countries that currently have a Working Holiday Maker programs:
Argentina
The Argentine WHM visa is valid up to 12 months and is available ONLY to New Zealand Citizens.
Austria
Youth Workers Exchange Program, called Swap, available ONLY to Canadian Graduates.
Official link: http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/ottawa/bilateral-relations/youth-education-science/youth-exchange.html
http://www.swap.ca/out_eng/index.aspx
Australia
Valid for 12 months. Any kind of work is allowed, but work for more than 6 months with the same employer is not permitted. For eligible countries, click on the link below.
Official Link: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/index.htm
Canada
Citizens of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US are eligible. Age limits are from 18-30 for most countries; 18-35 for citizens of Czech Republic, Italy and Ireland.
Some countries' programs specify that the applicant must be a full-time student; others do not. Please click on the link below to find out if you are eligible.
Official link: http://www.visabureau.com/canada/working-holiday.aspx
France
Available to Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_fr.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/article.php3?id_article=517
Germany
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan are eligible. Visa valid up to 12 months. WHM Visa holders may work, but each job can only last up to 90 days.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_de.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
Ireland
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.eu2004.ie/home/index.aspx?id=37636
Japan
Citizens from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, and New Zealand who are between the ages of 18 and 30, and citizens from the UK and Ireland who are between the ages of 18 and 25 may apply for a Japan WHM visa.
Official Link http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html
Hong Kong
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand And Ireland are eligible. Valid up to 12 months.
Official link: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_10.htm
The Netherlands
Citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.netherlandsembassy.ca/files/pdf/CanadaWHPrequirements.pdf
http://australie.nlambassade.org/consulaire_zaken/working_holiday
New Zealand
Available to citizens of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.
Official link: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/
Norway
Citizens of Australia and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.udi.no/templates/Tema.aspx?id=7367
http://www.norway.org.au/visas/workingholiday/workingholiday.htm
South Korea
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are eligible. Valid initially for 6 months and may be extended for another 6 months.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_kr.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
Turkey
Available ONLY to Australian citizens
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/work_visa.html
United Kingdom
Most popular and sought-after country, due to a strong pound rate. Valid for 2 years, but visa holders can work for only 12 months. The UK WHM visa is available to citizens of all Commonwealth countries, but this status will change soon, as the current WHM scheme will close on Nov 27, 2008.
A new WHM scheme, called Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), will be activated on November 28, 2008. The YMS visa is valid for two years, and visa holders can work throughout those 2 years. More details here.
As of now, Americans and South Africans are not eligible for the new scheme. Expect updates frequently in this blog.
LINKS
List of Countries with WHM schemes
WHM Visas for UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Japan
3. Countries with WHM schemes
