Australia offers more work and holiday visas for Chileans

Australia has raised the Work and Holiday Visa annual quota for Chilean nationals from 100 to 500 to help meet demand.

The Chilean Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) is for young people aged 18 to 30 who are interested in a working holiday of up to 12 months in Australia, and it also allows participants to travel and study. Iran and Thailand also have Work and Holiday visa arrangements in place.

"Australia is becoming a more popular destination for young Chileans," Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone said.

"The cap until now of 100 visas has been reached within the first four months of the year, with many more applicants awaiting visas."

'The increase to 500 - effective today - will give more young people from both countries new opportunities to travel and experience different cultures."

The Chilean Government has reciprocated with an increase from 100 to 500 for the cap applying to Australians traveling to Chile.

It is important to note that the Work and Holiday Visa differs from a Working Holiday Maker Visa, since the work and holiday programme requires an applicant to have the support of their government, to hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications, and to speak functional English or Spanish respectively.

Australia has a one year working holiday visa available to citizens aged between 18 and 30 years from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

If granted a one year working holiday visa you will be permitted to undertake a variety of different work but only allowed to work for one employer for a period of up to three (3) months.

New Zealand citizens do not need a work permit as a special agreement exists between the countries.

US Citizens can also obtain a four (4) month working holiday visa.

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