By TEENA CELIS

You want to travel, see other countries and are yet not able to because you’re strapped for cash. How about a working holiday? Working holiday visas present a golden opportunity to travelers and backpackers to earn money and supplement their travel funds in other countries, while spending as long as 12 months in that country. Here is a list of the top working destinations along with visa eligibility criteria and useful links.

1. Australia

If you are between the ages of 18 and 30 and are a citizen of the Australian reciprocal Working Holiday maker list of countries, you can apply for a working holiday visa to Australia. You are free to travel on this visa, since Australia does not stipulate that you need to spend the whole time in Australia. Australia is the top working destination in the world not only because of the standard of living, but also because of the relaxed rules that allow you to travel, explore and enjoy this beautiful continent.

You can even avail of an optional 12-month extension if you have completed three months work in designated rural areas of Australia. You can work for a single employer for up to six months. You can also take up training courses of no more than four months. The average Australian earns about 900 AUD a week. For more information on visa formalities and restrictions, visit www.immi.gov.au.

2. New Zealand

The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa allows people aged between 18 to 30 to travel and work temporarily anywhere in New Zealand. The average New Zealander is able to earn about 900 NZD a week. A working holiday visa is the ideal opportunity to explore New Zealand’s amazing natural beauty, which makes this one of the top working destinations in the world.

New Zealand has working holiday visa norms for people from different countries. Read these rules carefully and apply online at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ or via licensed immigration officer services.

3. United Kingdom

The UK working holiday visa is now called the UK Youth Mobility Scheme, a scheme that allows young people from specific countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan and New Zealand to visit the United Kingdom and work for a maximum period of 12 months. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 years to be eligible.

You can take up temporary jobs for all 12 months of your visa, or for any period under 12 months. The weekly average income per capita is 400 GBP in the UK, which varies depending on your occupation. To read the conditions and to apply for the UK Youth Mobility Visa, visit the following URL: http://www.migrationexpert.co.uk/visa/tier_5_youth_mobility_scheme_working_holiday_visa_uk.asp.

4. Ireland

The Irish Working Holiday Visa scheme allows young Canadians, Australians, Americans and New Zealanders between 18 and 30 years to visit Ireland for an extended holiday and supplement the holiday with casual employment for 12 months. The average weekly income of a full time worker in Ireland is about 750 EUR. You can find detailed information on the average weekly earnings based on specific fields of occupation at the following site: http://www.visafirst.com/en/irish_working_holiday_visa_info.asp. To apply for a working holiday visa to Ireland, visit http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=80991.

5. Canada

If you are aged between 18 and 30 and are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, you’re allowed to apply for the Canadian Working Holiday Visa to visit Canada and take up temporary employment. Starting from the date of issue, you have 12 months to organize your trip to Canada. The visa is valid for two years from the date you land in Canada.

On an average, Canadians earn about 860 CAD per week. Canadian visa formalities require applicants to show savings of specific amounts before the visa can be approved. Apply for your Canada working holiday visa at http://www.visabureau.com/canada/working-holiday.aspx.

6. Japan

Japan allows citizens of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom to apply for a working holiday visa to Japan. The entry criteria and age limits vary for different countries, so be sure to check the rules for your nationality.

Japanese working holiday visas are issued only once to an applicant. Citizens of France, Germany, Korea, Ireland and the UK are eligible for a one-year working holiday visa. However, citizens of Australia are eligible for a six month working holiday visa, which can be extended twice. Citizens of New Zealand and Canada are eligible for six month visas that can be extended only once. For more information on Japan’s working holiday visas and visa application formalities, see http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html.

7. Italy

Italy allows working holiday visas to be obtained by Australian citizens aged 18 to 30 and Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35. You’ll find detailed information on Italy’s working holiday visa formalities at http://www.international.gc.ca/iyp-pij/assets/pdfs/Canada-Italy%20ENG.pdf. Citizens of New Zealand, Australia and Canada are eligible to apply for working holiday visas to Italy. Applicants must not be accompanied by children, must have valid national passports, and must have sufficient funds for their stay.

8. Singapore

Singapore offers a working holiday visa for six months for current undergraduates and graduates, aged between 18 and 30, from countries such as France, Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, UK and the US to stay and work in Singapore. You’ll find more information on visa formalities for your nation http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-holiday-programme/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx.

9. Thailand

Thailand allows citizens of Australia and New Zealand to apply for a one-year Thai Working Holiday Visa. Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30, and should have completed full time courses with at least three years of study. Applicants must have either an Australian or a New Zealand passport, valid for at least six months and 12 months, respectively. They must also have a return ticket, or enough money to purchase one, and at least AU$5,000 or NZ$7,000 in their accounts at the time of applying. Thai working holiday visa applications can be made Thai Embassies and Thai Consulates in the respective countries.

10. France

France offers Permis Vacances Travail (PVT), which is the French working holiday visa to citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. You can avail more information on visa formalities and eligibility criteria for your citizenship from your local French embassy. You need to be aged between 18 and 30 years at the time of application. The visa allows you to undertake paid employment for up to one year. Several other rules apply and you can read them at http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/whv_fr.html.

11. Sweden

If you hold an Australian, New Zealand or South Korean passport, and are aged between 18 and 30, you are eligible for a working holiday visa to Sweden. Working holiday visas are granted only once per applicant. To apply, you need to approach the Swedish embassy or consulate in your native country or in the country where you are presently residing. For rules of visa application, see http://www.international.gc.ca/iyp-pij/assets/pdfs/Canada-Sweden%20ENG.pdf.

12. Austria

Austria has a Youth Workers Exchange Program called Swap to which Canadian graduates aged between 18 and 30 can apply.  Based on the understanding between the two countries, an exchange or swap is made and a young person is issued a working holiday visa to Canada in exchange. For visa application formalities, check with your local Austrian embassy. For more information, see http://www.swap.ca/.

Teena Celis is a Freelance writer working as content developer for Adrenalin.com.au,an Australian experience provider offering a large range of experiences like tandem skydiving, V8 race cars, rally driving, and hot air ballooning all across Australia.