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Top 10 Countries to Visit on Your Next Working Holiday
Do you want to travel extensively, experience a foreign culture in depth, and not spend all your savings?
As a traveler, a working holiday gives you the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: prolonged travel that immerses you in other cultures while earning additional money to support your travels. On top of all the cultural exchange opportunities on Workaway you could choose from, you can also find work and get paid if you have a working visa, which you can get before departing on a working holiday. It sounds great, doesn’t it?
Earning money and traveling to new places are two appealing ideas, but where do you even begin and where should you go first? No worries—this guide is here to answer all your questions and provide you with inspiration to take the first steps toward your next adventure!
Why a Working Holiday?
Maybe you're wondering what the general advantages of taking a working holiday are. After all, it’s a lot of time, effort, and things to consider. Let’s break down the main benefits of a working holiday to help you make a decision.
1. Money
A working holiday can be a budget-friendly option to regular vacation. Unlike a tourist visa, a working holiday visa actually permits you to earn money legally for the hours working in your destination country. The main advantage of this is that you don't run out of money as quickly as you would normally, even if you are traveling across the nation! This opens up a bunch of possibilities as far as your creativity can reach. On the weekends or in between work agreements you can easily fit in a lot of sightseeing, making long-term travel possible.
2. Community Involvement
Being in a foreign country and new environment for a longer term enables you to go beneath the surface of the culture and get a glimpse into what daily life is like. Seeing a destination from such a different perspective brings new insights that wouldn’t have been found through your regular holidays. It can bring about deeper connections with local communities, broadened cultural understanding, and often leads to personal growth and memorable experiences that reshape one's worldview.
3. Cultural Immersion
Spending a significant amount of time in the same community during your working holiday gives you a fantastic opportunity to build more genuine and profound connections with people. For those of you that are trying to learn a new language, this is a perfect opportunity to hone your conversational skills through practicing speaking in authentic settings.
4. Career Development
Living and working abroad contributes to personal growth through learning experiences and opens up a network of people to your professional life. Not only that, but such an experience looks great on a resume, showcasing adaptability, cross-cultural communication abilities, and the capacity to flourish in a variety of settings— all of which are highly prized by employers in the globalized world of today.
5. Fun, adventure, and exploration
Maybe too obvious to be stated, but traveling and working abroad is just plain fun! No matter where you decide to go, activities and new experiences await you, both on and off working hours. Are you ready to dive in?
How to Apply for a Working Holiday VISA?
So, you’ve made up your mind– a working holiday is for you! But how do you go about obtaining a visa?
There are a couple of steps involved in applying for a working holiday visa. The exact process and details vary greatly depending on the country. Some countries, like Australia, have minimal requirements and a swift process, while some require a bit more documents and homework, including some East Asian countries. Usually, you will need to provide your passport details, a bank statement to prove you can finance yourself during the time abroad (the amount varies), a clean criminal record, and any necessary licenses if you plan to work in teaching or other specialized occupations.
Most countries want you to be between the ages of 18 and 30, and most allow stays between 12 and 24 months. It's also vital to verify the specific lists of countries that offer a visa for each destination before deciding on one, as some have longer lists than others.
Every country has its own official web page with information on visa requirements and application procedures. Here, a fast Google search will be your best friend! Just be careful to do your research on time, as some nations have lengthy application processes (and fees!).
What Kind of Work Can You Do?
Deciding on what to do for a working holiday can sometimes be the most challenging part! The list of possibilities is seemingly endless, ranging from bartending to kid camp leader to horse caretaker. Where you go has a big impact on what you can do, so if you aren't sure what to do for work, consider choosing a destination first and take inspiration from what’s around.
Generally, bigger cities are good for hostels, bars, and other hospitality-related jobs, while Asia is known for happily hiring English teachers. You can find farm work practically anywhere in the world. If you enjoy snowboarding, surfing, or other weather-related sports, you might check to see if any camps or resorts in the appropriate weather zones have paid positions.
Here on Workaway you can find listings for paid positions from all over the world. Simply keep an eye out for the banner when browsing hosts!
What Are Some of the Best Countries for a Working Holiday?
Alright, we know why we should go, and how to do it. But… Where to go? I’m glad you asked! Here’s a list of the top 10 countries to visit on your next working holiday. From the laid-back countryside to adventure-filled, vibrant cities, you can be sure to find whatever your heart desires among these diverse options.
Let your mind's imagination be sparked through the included Workaway host listings– who knows, it might just be lifelong friendship and endless learning experiences that wait on the other side!
OCEANIA
1. Australia
It's easy to see why Australia has long been one of the top choices for working holidays. The visa requirements are straightforward including nearly 50 eligible countries, and the country truly offers something for everyone, no matter if you’re in for an adventure or a grounding experience. In the bustling metropoles, there's plenty of work in bars, hotels, hostels, and other customer-service roles, perfect for meeting new people. For a more quiet but adventurous vibe, Australia's vast landscapes offer all kinds of rural experiences, from farming to agriculture.
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2. New Zealand
New Zealand boasts some of the most amazing and clean nature in the world, well-known for its adventurous atmosphere and places for extreme sports like rafting and skydiving. It offers everything from beaches to mountains, leaving you with no shortage of options. Though the cost of living can be quite high compared to other countries, minimum wages are also on the higher end, and you get a safe and friendly atmosphere in exchange. Just like Australia, it is relatively easy to get a working holiday permit here, and many countries are on the eligible list.
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NORTH AMERICA
3. Canada
If mountains, snow, and hiking is your thing, then Canada is a must-go. During the high season, there is no shortage of ski resorts looking for seasonal workers in exchange for accommodation (and even ski passes!). If winter sports isn’t something for you, Canada is known to offer positions helping out in children’s summer camps, providing you a chance to be engulfed in nature while contributing to a larger community. There is also an abundance of possible experiences waiting for the true nature lovers including incredible wildlife, hiking, lake activities like fishing and canoeing, and so much more.
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EUROPE
4. Spain
Browsing through colorful streets, eating tapas after sunset, drinking red wine with the locals, and basking under the Spanish sun… What doesn’t sound great about that? With a working holiday in Spain, that’s what your free hours could look like! Popular experiences in this southern European country include hospitality during high seasons, especially in hotels and bars, as the south of Spain is home to some of Europe's favorite parties. Fruitfarms also see plenty of working travellers during the year, and for those looking for language practice, language teachers are sought all over Spain.
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5. France
Renowned for its romantic landscape, France offers quaint villages and pastures on the countryside and beautiful rivieras with bustling tourism on the coasts. Here, you’ll find the chance to immerse yourself in French beauty and culture while lending a hand in places from vineyards in Bordeaux to cafes in Paris or mountain lodges in the Alps. Join in, learn, and make memories in this charming country while learning the beautiful french language all the while.
Just like its neighbor Spain, France allows citizens of the Schengen area to work without a visa in the country, however, you might need to register your address and personal information if you plan to stay longer than 3 months. A one-year working holiday visa is obtainable for 16 non-Schengen countries.
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ASIA
6. South Korea
Feel like teaching English is your thing? Then South Korea might be your perfect next working holiday destination! The country’s dynamic economy provides various job opportunities with competitive wages, especially in education and hospitality. From delicious food to k-pop, there is no shortage of culture to explore in South Korea.
Though full-time work is currently (2024) not possible, South Korea’s working holiday visa allows for earning enough money to still be able to finance touristic activities in the country, which can otherwise be quite pricey.
Journalism, law, and entertainment including music and dance is forbidden to do on their working holiday visa, so maybe reconsider if you’re more of an aspiring musician. ;)
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7. Japan
Japan has recently boomed in popularity, and it’s understandable why. A blend of tradition and modern technology, rich culinary landscape, massive metropoles, and vast, fresh nature, this country is bursting with things to see and do. With a great public transport system, it is also cheap and easy to get from place to place. The country offers diverse job opportunities, especially in education and hospitality, with competitive wages. No matter if you are a winter or summer person, the varying geography of Japan offers something for both.
If you choose Japan for your working holiday, a vibrant cultural immersion awaits you, with chances to dive deep into history and explore its beautiful landscapes.
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LATIN AMERICA
8. Peru
Peru, with its rich Incan and pre-Columbian history, allows for deep cultural exploration. Peru's diverse landscapes, including the Amazon rainforest,Andes mountains, and iconic sites like Machu Picchu, provide endless travel opportunities.
The lower cost of living makes travel and accommodation more affordable. For those eager to learn Spanish, Peru is a wonderful destination to dive into language immersion, offering rich experiences with permaculture, animal preservation, and farming in its lush landscapes.
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9. Mexico
Mexico has a vibrant culture packed with varying cuisine, ancient Mayan ruins, tropical beaches, deep jungels, and everything in between. As the world's 15th largest economy, industry is booming. Be prepared for a lot of fun if you decide to go to Mexico: they love to dance, sing, make friends, and everything else that makes life colorful. Though a huge country, transportation is cheap and convenient, allowing you the possibility to see much of the country during your time here.
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10. Chile
Chile, home to Patagonia and the Atacama desert, is a dream destination for hiking and nature lovers. Here, you can find experiences on farms or in community projects. Beyond beautiful landscapes, the vibrant capital of Santiago provides opportunities in hospitality and tourism. An affordable country with rich culture, Chile is a great choice in Latin America to embark on your working holiday.
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Setting out on a working holiday is more than just an opportunity to explore new destinations; it’s a chance to immerse yourself in different cultures, gain invaluable work experience, and create lifelong memories. Whether you’re drawn to the bustling streets of Tokyo, the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, or the vibrant nightlife of Buenos Aires, each of these destinations offers its own unique benefits and experiences. So pack your bags, open your mind to new adventures, and let the world be your office. Your working holiday awaits!
About Julia
Meet Julia, a passionate artist, writer, and advocate for sustainable living. After graduating in Cognitive Science from Denmark and Singapore, she set out to backpack across Asia, Europe, and Central
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