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Gap Year Visas and Work Permits

There is nothing more certain in travel, than the consequences if you don't have the right visa.  Just like the immortal words uttered by many a doorstaff, "If your names not down, you are not coming in!".  Well, without the correct visa, you will be on the next plane home and without passing go!

If you are travelling on a volunteering project abroad or are going to work abroad on an organised placement, then any good company that you choose to go with should at the very least give you good guidance and assistance the visa procedures & requirements.

Regardless though, you are most likely going to have to apply for the visa and maybe even attend an embassy yourself.  So you need to know where to look and what visa you need.

Well this would be a very, very long page indeed if we talked about every visa option that relates to Gap Year Travellers.  What we have got is some basic tips on researching for your visa and details on the main destinations/visa types.

Please remember this list is not exhaustive and countries are known to change their minds often regarding immigration and visa controls!


General Tips:-
  • Decide how long you are going for.
  • Make a note of your job role, description or reason for visiting.
  • Is it to study, travel or to work?
  • Do you know if you need sponsorship or additional work permits? - if not you should be advised by the company or Immigation dept of the country you are going to about the requirements.
  • Are you confident of applying for the visa directly with the country you want to travel to?
  • Would you feel better paying a little more to get the visa from a company, saving you lots of hassle?

Popular Destinations

These are the most popular countries where people on a Gap Year require a visa.  The information is given as a guide and we always recommend that you check with the relevant governmental agencies or gain the help of a specialist Visa Company!


USA


Visa Waiver Programme (Tourist or Business Trips under 90 days)

The Visa Waiver Programme allows travellers from eligible countries to enter the USA for 90 days or less without neeing a visa and so long as it was as a tourist or business traveller.  In the past you simply filled out a green form on the plane before arrival and for you to then hand it in at immigration.  Check here to see if you may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme.

But this has now changed and if you are from a VWP eligible country, then you will be required to also apply for an ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.  This application needs to be made before you travel and be done using this website.

Extended Tourist Visa - B2

If you are wanting to travel to America as a tourist for longer than 3 months, but for less than 6 months, then you will require a B2 visa.  It is quite a simple process to complete and you can apply for one here.


Exchange Visas - J1

The J1 visa is a popular visa for people going to America on a Gap Year.  You must be accepted onto a specific exchange programme to be accepted for a J1 visa by the American Government.  Examples of exchange programmes are:-

  • A Study Exchange for a semester or full academic year (but not the whole course).
  • Au Pair work.
  • Working in Summer Camps.
  • Undertaking a Work Placement in the industry which directly relates to and as part of an academic course (eg Degree).
  • Medical students undertaking training.

If you require a J1 visa, then you will likely be going through a programme which will provide help & assistance - from either a company directly and or a university.  They will guide you on how to apply for a J1 Visa.


If you require any further information about other forms of visas to America then check out the American Immigration department website, have a look on the website for the American Embassy in your country or check out the information on the Visa Bureau website.


Canada

Canadian Study Permit

As part of your Gap Year or as part of your studies, you may well choose to visit Canada to study.

IF you are 100% sure you will only study for a period of time of 6 months or less, then you will not need a study permit.  If you are going for a full academic year, then you will need a study permit.

You would have to leave Canada to apply for a study visa IF you arrived without one and then decided you needed one.

Take a look at this website for more information and guidance on applying.


Working Holiday Visa

The Canadian Working Holiday Visa is quite simple and straight forward.  Firstly you need to be from an eligible country and remember that there is a quota system in place.  So it is first come first served!

There are various requirements for this visa.  Some are standard for all travellers while others are more country specific.  You can look them all up from this page.  As an example, some standard requirements are:-

  • That you be aged 18-30 at the time of applying.
  • Not bring any dependents (children) with you.
  • Enter the country within 12 months of the visa being issued.
  • Be prepared to show evidence of funds totalling CAD$4,000 (approx £2200) if asked.  This is not always required but better to be prepared.


Canadian Visitor Visa

Temporary Resident visas (or Visitor visas) are the most common visa for Gap Year travellers to Canada.  You will need this if you are going to Canada to visit, study or work.  Just be aware that you will also require  to get additional work or study permits too.  Check here to see if you come from a country whos citizens are eligible.


Australia

Electronic Travel Authority or ETA Tourist Visa

An ETA is an electronic authorisation for someone (Gap Year Traveller) to enter Australia and is all stored on government computers.  So there is no need for you to have your passport stamped or for you to carry any papers.

An ETA is valid for 12 months and in that time, each 'period of time' spent in Australia can be for a maximum of 3 months.  You need to be from a valid country in order to get an ETA and they can be done either with a specialist visa company or direct on the Australian Government website.

Going direct will be a little cheaper but you have to do all the work yourself.  If you go with a visa specialist, then you can always ask them questions and they are not much more expensive either!


Working Holiday Visas

After the ETA, the Working Holiday Visa is probably the most popular visa for Gap Year travellers going to Australia.  You have to be between 18 - 30 yrs old to qualify and it allows you to stay for longer in Australia.  You get an initial 12 months which is you can extend to 24 months at the discretion of immigration officials.

You need to have a valid passport and also you may be asked to show you that you have sufficient funds to support yourself whilst in Australia.  You can get more information on the basic requirements of an Australian Working Holiday Visa here.  You can also get information about extending a Working Holiday Visa here.

Don't forget, you can also get the visa direct from the Australian government too.


New Zealand


When taking your Gap Year in New Zealand, you need to think about the type of visa you require.  The options are:-

  • Working Holiday Visa - for those 18 to 30 and looking to live/work in New Zealand.
  • Tourist Visa - if you just want to travel to New Zealand as just a tourist.
  • Work Permit - is for those Gap Year travellers who are actually looking to take up temporary residency in New Zealand for work purpose.

Working Holiday Visa

This visa will allow you to undertake casual work whilst travelling around New Zealand.  If you just travelled on a tourist visa, then you would not be allowed or able to legally undertake casual work!

If you are from the United Kingdom then you are allowed 23 months, whereas other eligible countries is just 12 months.

In general, to be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, you firstly need to be from a country that is listed as having a Working Holiday agreement with New Zealand.  Also, you will need to prove you have enough funds to support yourself.  In general this is approximately NS$350 for every month of your intended stay.  You also can't have applied for a Working Holiday Visa in the past either.


Tourist Visa

New Zealand is quite relaxed with regards to visiting tourists.  Not everyone will need a short-stay tourist visa.  Those that do not require a visa are:-

  • New Zealand citizens residing abroad.
  • Australian citizens.
  • British citizens.
  • Visiting New Zealand for less than 3 months.

If you do not qualify through being a citizen of one of the 3 countries or come under any of the following, then you will probably require a visitors visa.

  • Visit NZ as a tourist, to see friends and family
  • Study for up to 3 months.
  • Play sport or perform in cultural events without pay.
  • Undertake a business trip.
  • Undertake medical treatment.

You will also need a passport that will be valid 3 months after the date you leave New Zealand, be a genuine tourist and show that you intend to leave New Zealand and have funds to support you when you are there.



If you have any questions about visas, then you should speak to your Gap Year company or tour company for guidance.  We are happy to try to help also, so post your questions in our forum.  Please remember though, that this information about is intended as a guide.  To get the most up to date information, we recommend you go to the relelvant government agency for the country you intend to travel to.  Alternatively a visa specialist such as Visa Bureau are worth using.  We have worked with them before and they really know visas very well indeed!