The Working Holiday visa is a part of the Working Holiday Maker Program and promotes cultural exchange and stronger ties between Australia and eligible countries. This visa is designed for young adults who want an extended holiday in Australia. A Working Holiday visa is a short-term visa and allows you to work in Australia to fund your trip.
However, keep in mind that not everyone is eligible for a 417 visa in Australia. You must be younger than 30 and from the list of eligible countries to apply for this visa. But Don’t be disappointed if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for this visa. Australia issues another visa known as Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) with different requirements but serves the same purpose.
Having a proper understanding of eligibility criteria and the application process of both these visas will help you in getting successful approval of your visa. In this blog post, let’s look into the details what a Working Holiday Visa is, its eligibility requirements, visa cost, documents checklist and the application process.
What is a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)?
A Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) is a temporary visa allowing young adults to spend their holiday and work in Australia to fund their trip. This visa is valid for approximately one year. However, you can apply for up to three Working Holiday visas, allowing you to stay in Australia for almost three years.
With a 417 visa, you can:
- Work and explore Australia for one year.
- Get enrolled in a study course for four months.
- Free to travel to and from Australia as often as you want.
- Apply for a second Working Holiday Visa after completing three months of specified work.
What is the cost of a 417 visa in Australia?
The visa fee of a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is AUD 650.00. Pay this fee at the time of visa application submission, otherwise, the Department of Home Affairs will reject your visa.
What is the processing time of a 417 visa in Australia?
The processing time for a 417 visa varies depending upon several factors including the completeness of your application and number of applications received by the Department of Home Affairs. However, the average processing time is 30 days and 75% of the applications are processed within ten days.
Which countries are eligible for a working holiday visa in Australia?
List of Eligible countries for a Working Holiday visa:
- Italy
- Malta
- Japan
- Taiwan
- Canada
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Norway
- Sweden
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Netherlands
- Republic of Cyprus
- Republic of Ireland
- Republic of Korea
- United Kingdom.
Does a 417 visa lead to permanent residence in Australia?
No, a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is a temporary visa and does not provide a direct pathway to PR in Australia. However, you can apply for another visa that may lead to PR in Australia.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)?
The basic eligibility criteria to apply for a subclass 417 is:
- You must have a passport from an eligible country.
- You must not have any dependent children with you.
- You must be between 18 to 30 years at the time of application lodgement.
- To be eligible for a 417 visa, you must not have had a 462 or 417 visa in the past.
Latest News Regarding Working Holiday Visa for UK Passport Holders
UK passport holders will be eligible to apply for up to three different Working Holiday visas starting on July 1, 2024, without fulfilling any specific job criteria. All UK passport holders submitting applications for Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas on or after July 1, 2024, are subjected to these arrangements.
What Documents are Required for a Working Holiday Visa?
Here is the document checklist for a 417 visa:
1. Identity documents
- A passport page showing your name, personal details, issuance, and expiry dates.
- A birth certificate showing names of your both parents. If you don’t have a birth certificate, provide one of the following documents:
- Family book with the names of your parents on it.
- Official identification document from the government.
- A document issued by the court that proves your identity.
2. Financial documents
Provide evidence that you have enough funds to support your stay in Australia. You must have at least AUD 5,000 in your bank account including money to make arrangements for your departure from Australia after the expiry of your visa.
3. Other documents
- Demonstrate you are of a good moral character via police clearance certificate.
- You must present the evidence that you have signed the Australian values statement.
- If you get assistance from someone to apply for a visa, please submit Form 956a and Form 956.
How much bank balance is required for a working holiday visa in Australia?
To apply for a Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), you need to demonstrate that you have AUD 5,000 in your bank account to financially support yourself.
What is the Application Process for a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)?
Follow these simple steps to apply for a Working Holiday Visa in Australia in 2024:
- Step 1: Check your eligibility.
- Step 2: Gather your documents.
- Step 3: Apply for the visa.
- Step 4: Wait for the Visa Outcome
Here is the detailed procedure to submit an application for a Working Holiday visa.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Check your eligibility before submitting an application for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417). Before you apply for the visa, you might need to undergo a medical examination. Moreover, if you are looking for someone to help you with your application, keep in mind that person must be:
- Registered migration agent
- Legal practitioner
- An exempt person.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Gather and organize all the required documents. These documents include:
- Identity documents,
- Financial evidence,
- Health and character requirements.
- Make sure to translate all these required documents into English before submitting your application.
Step 3: Apply for the Visa
Follow these steps to submit your application for 417 visa in Australia:
- Create an online account on the ImmiAccount website.
- Download the application form.
- Fill out the application form carefully.
- Attach all the required documents.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
Remember that providing incorrect or misleading information will result in visa rejection!
Step 4: Wait for the Visa Outcome
Once you have submitted your visa application, wait for the outcome patiently. The Department of Home Affairs will notify you about your visa grant number, visa issuance and expiration dates, and visa conditions. In case your application is refused, the department will inform you about the reasons for the refusal and whether you can review the decision or not.
Types of Working Holiday Visa (WHV)
There are three types of Working Holiday visas which include:
- First Working Holiday Visa
- Second Working Holiday Visa
- Third Working Holiday Visa
The stay duration for each of these visas is 12 months or one year. However, you must be outside of Australia to apply for your First Working Holiday Visa.
Let’s discuss them in detail:
1. First Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
First Working Holiday Visa allows the candidates of age between 18 to 30 to extend their holiday in Australia. Moreover, you can work in Australia to support and fund your trip. To be eligible to apply for a First Working Holiday visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must hold a passport from an eligible country.
- You must not have a dependent child.
- You cannot include your family members on a 417 visa.
- You must not have entered Australia previously on a 417 visa.
- You must be a genuine visitor who will leave Australia after spending the holidays.
2. Second Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
This visa is designed for Working Holiday visa holders, aged between 18 to 30 (inclusive), to have a second working holiday in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, fulfill these conditions:
- In order to apply for a second working holiday visa, you must have completed 3 months of specified subclass 417 work in regional Australia.
- If you are applying from Australia, you must have a substantive visa.
- Keep in mind that if your substantive visa has expired, the expiry must not exceed 28 days before submitting your application.
- You must have followed all the visa conditions of your First working holiday visa.
3. Third Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
This visa is designed for Working Holiday visa holders, aged between 18 to 30 (inclusive), to have a third working holiday in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, fulfill these requirements:
- You must have previously held 2 subclass 417 visas in Australia.
- In order to apply for a third working holiday visa, you must have completed 6 months of specified subclass 417 work.
- If you are applying from Australia, you must have a substantive visa.
- Keep in mind that if your substantive visa has expired, the expiry must not exceed 28 days before submitting your application.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—a comprehensive guide to a 417 visa in Australia. By now, you have understood what a Work and Holiday Visa is, its eligibility requirements, and the documents required to submit an application for this visa. So, what’s next? It’s definitely submitting a flawless visa application for a sponsored family stream.
Schedule an online appointment now and allow us to help you navigate through the Australian visa application process.
Related Articles
A Comprehensive Guide to Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)
What is the Difference between 417 and 462 Visa?
FAQs
Can I convert a tourist visa to a work visa in Australia?
No, you cannot directly convert a tourist visa (subclass 600) to a work visa in Australia. Tourist visa is designed only for visiting purposes. So, if you want to work in Australia, apply for the work visas.
What is the difference between 417 and 462 work holiday visas?
The main difference between a 417 and 462 visa is that a 462 visa requires education requirements, including the evidence of English language proficiency and a support letter from the government of your country of origin. On the other hand, you don’t need to provide any educational qualifications or documents for a 417 visa.
I, Samavia Shahid, am a researcher and content writer at The Migration. I create easy-to-understand and informative content for people who want to move to Australia. My goal is to make the migration process simpler and less stressful for everyone.