Austria’s Working Holiday Scheme could be your ticket to waking up in Vienna, visiting the Alps, and getting work experience in a different country all in one trip. Young travelers from certain countries can use this chance to work, travel, and live in Austria for up to a year, enjoying the country’s rich culture, scenery, and way of life.
Who Can Apply?
The following countries and Austria have agreed to trade working holiday agreements:
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- Australia – up to 12 months
- Canada – up to 12 months
- New Zealand – up to 6 months
- Argentina, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA – generally up to 12 months.
This plan is only for people between the ages of 18 and 30 (or 35, based on your nationality). It’s perfect for college students, new graduates, and young professionals who want to travel and work in Europe for a short time.
Austrian WHV Visa Requirements:
To get in, you’ll need these things:
- Age: 18–30 (with some exceptions up to 35)
- Nationality: A citizen of one of the above countries
- Good Passport: One that is still good for at least three months after your planned stay
- Proof of money: enough to cover living costs and a return ticket (or the ability to buy one).
- Health and travel insurance: at least €30,000 in coverage, good for the whole trip
- Completed Visa D Application Form
- Biometric Passport Picture: Not more than 6 months old
- School Proof (for some countries, like Australia or Canada): Includes a police certificate, which is needed by some countries, and a degree certificate or letter of enrollment from a university.
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Benefits of Working Holiday Visa Scheme:
- Work and Travel Flexibility: You can work part-time or full-time while you travel and explore a new country, which lets you balance making money and having fun.
- Cultural Exchange: Learn about a different society, become part of it, and make friends with people from all over the world.
- Get International Work Experience: Adding international work experience to your resume can help your job chances in the future.
- Financial Independence: Being able to work abroad helps travelers pay for their costs of living, which makes long-term travel more doable.
- Explore Beautiful Places: During your stay, you can easily travel within the host country and often to nearby areas.
- Language and Communication Skills: Getting real-life experience will help you get better at writing and talking to people from other cultures.
- Personal Growth and Confidence: Working and living abroad makes you more independent, flexible, and reliant on yourself.
- Networking: Talk to people from different backgrounds, which can lead to friendships and business connections across borders.
- No Need for a Job Offer Ahead of Time: Most working holiday programs don’t need you to have a job lined up ahead of time, so you can find work when you get there.
- Gateway to Future Opportunities: A lot of people use this visa as a first step toward long-term work, school, or immigration.
Where to Apply?
You have to go through the Austrian office or consulate in the country you are from. The Austrian Embassy in London also takes applications for people who are already in Europe, like Australians living in the UK.
- Australia (12 months)
- Canada (12 months)
- New Zealand (6 months)
In some countries, like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, you can also send your application through VFS Global.
Tip: Apply two to three months before you want to travel, because the process can take a few weeks.
What You Can Do in Austria?
- Work: Deal with work by getting part-time or temporary jobs in retail, hospitality, travel, and other fields.
- Study: Take short courses or language classes to learn.
- Travel: See Austria and the whole Schengen Area. You can stay in other EU countries for up to 90 days during your trip.
Note: The working holiday visa can’t be renewed, so it can’t be used after its original expiration date.
Application Cost:
In general, the fee to apply for a Visa D–Working Holiday is around €150, but this can change from embassy to embassy. If you apply through VFS, there may also be small fees.
Application Timeline:
You have up to three months to apply before you plan to arrive in Austria. Applications sent in less than three weeks before the trip might not be accepted. Get ready early!
Final Thoughts:
The Working Holiday Scheme in Austria is more than just a visa; it’s an open call to get to know European life better. You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime whether you ski in Innsbruck, go to a Viennese ball, hike in the Alps, or drink coffee in old town Salzburg.
This is your chance to work and travel in Austria in 2025 if you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, or another country that is qualified. You don’t need a job offer or an agent. You, your ID, and a plan are all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Austria Working Holiday Visa Scheme?
Young people from certain countries can get an Austria Working Holiday Visa that lets them live, visit, and work in Austria for a short time, usually up to a year. This program is meant to encourage cultural contact and give applicants a chance to work abroad.
Who can apply for Austria’s Working Holiday Visa?
People from certain countries that have deals with Austria can get this visa. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, and Japan. Most of the time, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
Can I work full-time in Austria with this visa?
Of course, but that’s not the main point of the show. Is it? You can work to pay for your stay, but this visa isn’t meant for long-term jobs or career growth.
