Applying for travel visas can be tricky. Naturally, the requirements vary from country to country. Whilst almost every country requires an individual to have a valid passport, some countries also require the addition of a visa or travel permit. 

Due to immigration requirements constantly changing, some travel visas and permits may be subject to change, so it is best to check with the official government office that handles the document in question. Data online or printed in travel books may be outdated or simply incorrect.

Certain countries do require visas. Some only require them for specific lengths of time, such as those visiting for 30 days or more. It is important to be prepared for your holiday with the correct type of travel visa (if required), because some countries may refuse entry or impose fines – or both. Nothing ruins a holiday faster than being turned away at the gate.

Since nearly everyone needs a passport to travel to a different country, it is important to make sure that it is valid and in date. One of the most common mistakes people make is to wait too long to apply for their passport. The passport agency in the UK states that it takes at least 3 weeks to process a passport, except for urgent requests, which incur an additional fee. Unless it is a last minute offer or an emergency, apply for your passport (or renewal) well in advance to make sure that you will have it in hand before you leave on your holiday.

If you do not have a passport, you may be eligible to receive a Certificate of Travel, but be sure to check with the destinations embassy to verify that this document is valid.

A working holiday visa is a special type of travel visa that is designed to support people who travel to another country and wish to get temporary employment. This type of visa was created specifically for young adults who may want to experience the culture of another country, yet have the need to add to their funds by working while there. The visa does carry some restrictions. Specifically, it is restricted for ages 18 through 30 and there are some limits to the type of work that can be undertaken while in the country, along with the length of time the job can last. Anyone seeking a working holiday visa is also expected to possess enough money to cover living expenses while they search for a job. Other restrictions apply by country and most issue such visas for periods of up to 12months. 

Many countries participate in the working holiday visa programme and they tend to operate reciprocal arrangements, as a way of providing young people with an opportunity to see and experience different cultures and ways of life. There are currently around 25 countries that participate in the working holiday visa programme and they include the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Cyprus, Italy, Estonia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Malta, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Turkey, Argentina, Chile and the United States. In order to visit the country you must agree to adhere to the rules, regulations and health codes in place for that country. 

Australia is one of the major countries people go to in order to start a new life. Since the country’s economy is strong, immigration to Australia is most suitable for skilled people. There are more than one hundred thousand jobs available in Australia. The Australian immigration programme attracts people from a variety of backgrounds, ages and qualifications, but it emphasises on bringing in people who can offer substantial positive change in the economy. Some of the qualifications that a person should have are that they should not be above 45 years; they should speak good English and be qualified in at least one profession.

Skilled people considering emigrating to Australia are assessed in certain areas such as work experience, qualifications and language proficiency. Those who are willing to live there permanently can do so if they live in a particular region of Australia. Australia also accepts migrants who want to live with their relatives and this is done through the Family Stream Migration programme. Australia also welcomes refugees through the Humanitarian Programme.

However, immigration to Australia is not as easy as one would think, since the Australian Immigration Service usually places strict controls on the number of people emigrating to Australia. Actually, last year saw over 150,000 people being turned down. There are a number of visas to Australia offered that are available in the global market, such as the family visas that are applied based on family ties, spouse visas if one is willing for their spouse or unmarried partner to join them in the country and many more.

Holiday Visa

This New Zealand Visa is also the Tourist Visa. One needs a tourist visa if they are visiting New Zealand to see relatives and friends, studying for a course that lasts up to three months, participating in sports, performing cultural events in a voluntary capacity, undertaking business trips, or receiving medical treatment. The requirements to acquire a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa include having a passport that is valid for a minimum of three months after the date that one leaves New Zealand, be a true tourist, and show proof of the date of the intended departure and also proof that one has sufficient funds to support oneself during the period of stay.

Skilled Visa

Eligibility for this New Zealand Visa includes that one be 56 years or younger, be able to meet the character requirements, qualify for the English language and health requirements, and meet the target of 100 points in the set Points System in order to apply and register. If one is successful, then they are given a New Zealand Visa known as a Residence Visa that allows the holder to enter the country and must be utilised within the period of twelve months upon issue. Further, Resident Permits or Work Permits are issued on arrival to the country.

Family Visa

This New Zealand Visa is granted for the purpose of reuniting families. A Residence Visa is given to the member of the family of a New Zealand resident and/or citizen. To quality, one must have a blood relationship with the New Zealander. One must either be a spouse, parent, dependant child, adult child, brother, or sister.

The working holiday visa is a term given to a permit for travel that enables a traveller to engage in employment whilst in another country.

A great number of the working holiday visas are given under exchange agreements between countries to support and encourage cultural exchange and travel between the respective countries’ citizens. There are, however, various restrictions on the working holiday visa.

The traveller with this type of visa is expected to be in possession of enough funds to use as he or she seeks employment in the visiting country. The working traveller is further limited to the employment types that he or she can hold and also the period that the travelling employment seeker can hold employment in the country.

Finally, the working holiday visa has an age restriction. The working holiday visa is intended to be used by young travellers. The usual age bracket is 18 to 30 years of age. This is a stimulating opportunity for young people to go out and experience living and working in a foreign country whilst evading the costly expenses that go with finding job sponsorship well in advance or participating in expensive exchange programmes between universities.

The pioneer participating countries to use the opportunities that the working holiday visa presented are Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zeeland. Moreover, in Japan, a working Holiday Maker Alumni association has been created and it offers seminars to orientate the Japanese holiday-working goer.

The countries that offer a working holiday visa are Argentina, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong, Norway, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Turkey, and South Korea.