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Working Holiday Visa
The Governments of Australia and Belgium have signed an agreement for a Working Holiday Agreement, which came into effect on 1 November 2004. If you are a Belgian national, you can apply for, and in most cases obtain, a Working Holiday visa directly online.
To be eligible for the grant of a working holiday visa you must be a passport holder of a country with which Australia has a working holiday arrangements. These countries are:
Belgium (from 1 November 2004 ), France, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan , Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Malta, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the Republic of Cyprus.
Under the current Australian law, holders of passports of any other countries are not eligible to apply for a Working Holiday visa. There are no exceptions to this.
Applying for a Working Holiday Visa
If you have a passport from one of the countries mentioned above, you must apply for your Working Holiday Visa directly on the internet.
- The Working Holiday Visa is for 18-30 year olds (ie. you must be over 18 and under 31 when you apply ). You must be outside Australia, have a passport of one of the countries listed above, have no dependent children and not have previously entered Australia on a working holiday visa.
- You must be able to show evidence that you have access to at least 3000 Euros savings (eg. letter from your bank, bank statement, etc.).
You might be asked to provide this evidence when you arrive in Australia (bring a letter from your bank or a bank statement with you when you will have the visa label placed in your passport in Australia – you won’t be asked to provide this evidence prior to your departure).
- To apply on the internet you need:
- Valid email address and internet access
- Passport which will be valid for the duration of your stay in Australia
- Valid credit card (to pay the application charge) – you can pay the application charge by Visa, Master Card, American Express or Diner's Club International.
- Medical exams: You will probably not be asked to do medical exams. However, as each application is different, you may be asked to do an X-ray exam of your lungs. If you need to do an X-ray exam, you will be prompted to download form 160EH at the end of your internet application. You should then do the X-ray exams with one of our panel doctors. The panel doctor will then send the X-ray directly to the Immigration Service in Paris.
- You will receive an email advising you if your application is approved. Please note that the Working Holiday Visa is an electronic visa and there is no evidence of it in your passport.
It will be checked electronically by your airline prior to boarding and on your arrival in Australia. After you arrive in Australia and before you begin to work you must go to the nearest immigration office in Australia (or directly to the immigration office in Sydney Airport ) to have your Working Holiday visa evidenced in your passport. For the list of immigration offices in Australia, click here.
- You can check the status of your application at any time directly on the internet by entering your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) which you receive when you make your internet application.
IMPORTANT : All questions or enquiries about Working Holiday Visas which have been lodged on the internet must be sent by email (you should mention your TRN in the email).
How long is the application process?
You should allow between 48 hours and 3 weeks for the outcome of your internet application (up to three weeks if you are required to undergo a medical examination). You can check the status of your application at any time directly on the internet by entering your Transaction Reference Number (TRN) which you receive when you make your internet application.
We strongly advice you ot to confirm your flight before receiving confirmation that your Working Holiday Visa has been granted.
How many Working Holiday Visas are granted per year?
There is no quota for Belgian Working Holiday applicants, ie. there is an unlimited number of Working Holiday Visas available for French or Belgian applicants. Please note, however, that the Working Holiday visa is not renewable.
How long can I stay in Australia ?
Once your Working Holiday Visa is granted, you have 12 months to enter Australia, and 12 months from the date you first enter Australia to benefit from your Working Holiday Visa. The Working Holiday Visa is a multiple entry visa which means you may leave and return to Australia as often as you like until your visa expires, ie.12 months from the date you first enter Australia on your Working Holiday Visa.
How long can I work with each employer in Australia ?
You can work for up to three months with the same employer in Australia.
Can I study with the Working Holiday Visa?
You can study for up to three months with the Working Holiday Visa.
For further information, click here.
Contact telephone number in Australia
Should you have any queries regarding your immigration status in Australia after arrival in the country, the contact number for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs is: 131881