As a Canadian it can be difficult to find travel articles geared toward us, let alone travel advice even though about 60% of Canadians have a valid passport compared to the less than 40% of Americans who do. Admittedly both Australia and the UK produce more world-wanderers as 75% of their populations are made up of passport-carrying citizens, but for a country whose oldest colonial city dates back to the 15th century, has the second largest land mass in the world, is part of the world's biggest commonwealth and whose people are known stereotypically for being polite and agreeable, you'd think we'd be more pandered to!

I thought I'd write this article for all the little Canadian girls and boys buried up to their necks in snow every winter who might be dreaming of flying away to sunnier destination like I did for the first time in 2015 with my move to South Korea (a surprisingly easy visa process) and for the second and third in 2017 and 2018, this time to Spain (I've learned to hold my tongue about Spanish bureaucracy so I'll say no more for now). There are several countries who offer working holiday/youth mobility visas, acting like treaties that allow for a certain number of citizens from each respective country to go abroad to gain work experience, usually as long as the person meets some basic requirements:

● Is under the age of 30-35 years old

● Holds some type of secondary/university certification (or acceptance into such an institute in the desired migration country)

● HAS NO CRIMINAL RECORD (I can't stress this enough since DUI's will count against you, especially in Asia)

● Is of sound body and mind as evaluated by a certified physician (physical disabilities are typically allowable but not communicative diseases such as Hepatitis or HlV/AIDS)

● Has adequate savings to support one's self for a minimum of three months (proof must be given)

● Does not have dependents

If you tick all the boxes then feel free to read ahead. For the others feel free to write me as some of these countries have similar visa programs tailored to different demographics that I just don't have time to get into right now, but where there's a will there's certainly a way!

Some of the countries on this list shouldn't be surprising since the respectful diplomatic relations have lent to these places being the top most visited countries by my fellow clansmen, myself included (I've been to half so I'm guessing I’m following another stereotype).

**Picture of me looking stereotypically Canadian in flannel while in Colombia.**

Sadly though, this also means that this kind of open-door travel program is only extended toward more prosperous nations with smaller populations so goodbye to China, India and Brazil, but hello to 33 other possible future homes, often with renewable visas like in my case with Spain.

Here's how you can be an ex-pat within the next three months.*

*Standard visa fees, flight costs, relocation expenses and savings apply. All prices listed in CAD unless otherwise stated.

Table of Content:

Africa

The Americas

✈ Chile

✈ Costa Rica

✈ Mexico

Antarctica

Asia

✈ Hong Kong

✈ Japan

✈ South Korea

✈ Taiwan

Europe

✈ Belgium

✈ Croatia

✈ Czech Republic

✈ Denmark

✈ Estonia

✈ France

✈ Germany

✈ Greece

✈ Italy

✈ Latvia

✈ Lithuania

✈ The Netherlands

✈ Norway

✈ Poland

✈ San Marino

✈ Slovakia

✈ Slovenia

✈ Spain

✈ Sweden

✈ Switzerland

✈ Ukraine

✈ UK

Oceania

✈ Australia

✈ New Zealand

FINAL THOUGHTS

Alphabetically by continent and country name:

AFRICA

Unfortunately, there are no African nations that hold a working holiday visa agreement with Canada but as a Westerner, it's quite easy to obtain a travel visa for at least a few months. If you find an educational institution or a humanitarian work organization abroad they might be able to help you extend your current visa or receive another more long-term.

THE AMERICAS

Chile

Capital: Santiago

Population: 18 million souls

Official language: Spanish

Main attractions: 4,000 km of coastline; the Atacama Desert; Patagonia; Easter Island; Torres del Paine National Park

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months

Savings requirement: Up to the authority's discretion

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: $135

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: 750 visas per year

Processing time: 5-7 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Chile

Find more information here

Costa Rica

Capital: San José

Population: 4.9 million souls

Official language: Spanish

Main attractions: 6% biodiversity in 0.03% of landmass; 7 active volcanoes; one of the only countries to border two oceans

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: Yes

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $2500

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $120

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 5-7 days

Extras: Pre-paid ticket out of Costa Rica; birth certificate upon application

Find more information here

Mexico

**Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato**

Capital: Mexico City

Population: 129.2 million souls

Official language: Spanish

Main attractions: Beautiful beaches; Mayan ruins; delicious food; energetic nightlife; the Day of the Dead

Age restrictions: 18-29

Educational certification needed: Yes (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: Yes (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $37,211.50*

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 3-year discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: Contact embassy directly*

Applicant interview: N/A

Applicant limit: 250 visas per year

Processing time: 5-7 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Mexico or sufficient funds

Find more information here*

Antarctica

It is said that the only way to visit our world’s most southern reach is either by tourism or for work, with the former being quite costly and the latter involving a rigorous application process, which includes an in-depth psychological evaluation, dental and physical exams, as well as a clean criminal background. Applicants under 25 years old would do better not to bother applying just yet as the more experienced are preferred, and the market is very competitive as there are far more people who would like to travel to icy landscape for work than there are positions for them to fill. There’s also the whole ‘‘not-much-to-do, -see or -enjoy’’ thing down there besides penguins and eternal darkness in some places (and there’s definitely no WiFi).

If this all still sounds appealing to you, check out this link to find out more. But do yourself a favour and check this one out too before you make any final decisions.

ASIA

Hong Kong

Capital: Hong Kong

Population: 7.3 million souls

Official language: Cantonese, Mandarin, English

Main attractions: World’s longest escalator; great night markets and nightlife; amazing skylines

Age restrictions: 18-30

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 15,000 HK ($ CAD)

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: $15

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: 200 visas per year

Processing time: 5-7 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from China or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Japan

Capital: Tokyo

Population: 126.8 million souls

Main attractions: Endless bamboo forests; futuristic tech and amenities; year-round festivals

Official language: Japanese

Age restrictions: 18-30

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $2500USD/person or $3500USD/couple

Visa length-time: 12 months (single entry)

Renewable: No

Application fee: FREE

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: At least one week

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Japan; full itinerary of travel plans with country; CV along with application

Find more information here

South Korea

Capital: Seoul

Population: 51.4 million souls

Official language: Korean

Main attractions: Affordably delicious cuisine; world-class skiing and hiking trails; unstoppable nightlife

Age restrictions : 18-30

Educational certification needed: No (but certified copy of employment record required)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: Yes

Health certification: Normal (applicant could be drug-tested once in country)

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months

Savings requirement: 3,000,000 Won

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: $52

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: 4000 visas per year

Processing time: 5-7 days

Extras: Letter of reference; copy of employer's business registration certificate; pre-paid round-trip ticket from Korea or sufficient funds; applicant must submit itinerary of travel plans

Find more information here

Taiwan

Capital: Taipei

Population: 23.5 million souls

Official language: Mandarin

Main attractions: Famous natural hot springs; year-round rock-climbing and water sports; numerous enchanting temples

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: N/A

Savings requirement: $2500

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: $118

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: 1000 visas per year

Processing time: 7 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Taiwan or sufficient funds; CV along with application; applicant must submit itinerary of travel plans

Find more information here

EUROPE

Belgium

Capital: Brussels

Population: 11.3 million souls

Official language: French, Dutch, German

Main attractions: Mouth-watering chocolate shops; access to the North Sea; tours of speciality craft breweries

Age restrictions: 18-30

Educational certification needed: No (but applicants can only study 3 months within the country)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 2500€

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: $320 in consular fees plus in 350€ admin fees (yikes)

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: 4000

Processing time: 4-6 weeks

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Belgium or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Croatia

Capital: Zagreb

Population: 4.1 million souls

Official language: Croatian

Main attractions: Plitvice Lakes National Park; several coastal cities; island hopping opportunities

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contractors: No (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: Travel insurance is sufficient but applicant is obliged to pay the Croatian Health Insurance Institute once in country

Savings requirement:

• Student staying less than 6 months, or more: 6,000 HRK - 12,000 HRK
• Other applicants staying less than 6 months, or more: 12,000 HRK - 24,000 HRK

Visa length-time: 6-12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 3-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: $94

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Up to 2 months

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Croatia or sufficient funds; proof of accomodation

Find more information here

Czech Republic

Capital: Prague

Population: 10.5 million souls

Official language: Czech

Main attractions: Several stunning medieval castles; famous “bone” churches; the spendlor of Bohemian Paradise

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation with a minimum coverage policy of 60,000€)

Savings requirement: $2500-4000

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $111USD

Applicant interview: No* (requires letter explaining absence due to long-distance)

Applicant limit: 1150 visas per year

Processing time: 40-60 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from the Czech Republic or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Denmark

Capital: Copenhagen

Population: 5.7 million souls

Official language: Danish

Main attractions: The Faroe Islands; Tivoli Gardens; Legoland; Danish butter cookies

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 15,000 DKK

Visa length-time: 12 months (applicants can only work and/or study for 6 months)

Renewable: No

Application fee: $260

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 15 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Denmark or sufficient funds (valuing $1000); valid provincial Canadian health card; entitlement to partially paid Danish lessons (how COOL!)

Find more information here

Estonia

Capital: Tallin

Population: 1.3 million souls

Official language: Estonian

Main attractions: Struve Geodetic Arc; over 2000 islands along the Baltic Sea; wonderfully-preserved medieval architecture; a landscape dominated by forests and marshes by more than half

Age restrictions: 18-35 years old

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation with a minimum coverage of 30,000€)

Savings requirement: $2500

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: 80€

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Up to 30 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Estonia or sufficient funds

Find more information here

France

Capital: Paris

Population: 67.1 million souls

Official language: French

Main attractions: World-class cuisine; famously-rich culture and history; unbeatable shopping paradises; Paris in general

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Medical examination to be given by l’office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration within the first few weeks of arrival to France

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 2100€

Visa length-time: 12-24 months (can be extended to 36 months if studying)

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: FREE (but VSF centres charge a 25€ processing fee)

Applicant interview: Yes (at VSF global centre)

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 3 months before departure date at the earliest

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from France or sufficient funds ($1000); proof of address within France; allowed to bring dependents

Find more information here

Germany

Capital: Berlin

Population: 82.7 million souls

Official language: German

Main attractions: Around 25,000 castles; Oktoberfest; free education even for internationals; enchanting Christmas markets

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Signed declaration of personal liability insurance or willingness to purchase some while in country

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: No minimum is required but a signed declaration of funds form is necessary

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $120

Applicant interview: No* (If application is sent by mail only a 90-day visa will be granted which must be extended in country for another 100€)

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Up to 3 weeks

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Germany; proof of address within Germany; two proof of bonds to Canada (reference letters from family, friends or employers)

Find more information here

Greece

Capital: Athens

Population: 10.7 million souls

Official language: Greek

Main attractions: More archeological museums than any other in the world; one of the oldest known civilizations; ancient architectural sites; mouthwatering cuisine; numerous white sand beaches

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 1800€* (depending on visa type)

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: 100€

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Up to 30 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Greece or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Ireland

Capital: Dublin

Population: 4.7 million souls

Official language: English, Irish Gaelic

Main attractions: 2500 km of coastal scenery; the second highest cliffs in Europe; stunning greenery; the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world

Age restrictions: 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $2500

Visa length-time: Up to 1-2 years (depending on visa category)

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $100-150 (depending on visa category)

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: 10,500 visas per year

Processing time: 6-8 weeks

Extras: Must register at Garda National Immigration Bureau within one month of arrival and pay an additional 300€ fee (yikes)

Find more information here

Italy

Capital: Rome

Population: 60.5 million souls

Official language: Italian

Main attractions: The only active volcanoes in mainland Europe; Europe's oldest university, University of Bologna; more than 4500 museums

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation with minimum coverage of 30,000€)

Savings requirement: 2400€ (proven by showing bank statements from past 3 months or credit card with sufficient credit)

Visa length-time: 12 months (applicant can only work 6 months, 3 months max per employer)

Renewable: No

Application fee: 100€

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: 1,250

Processing time: 10 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Italy or sufficient funds; proof of accommodation; CV along with application

Find more information here

Latvia

Capital: Riga

Population: 1.9 million souls

Official language: Latvian

Main attractions: Widest waterfall in Europe; the Art Nouveau architecture of Riga; endless pine forests throughout half the country

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Must state that the applicant does not carry an active form of tuberculosis

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 429.71€ x 3 months (enough to finance the beginning of your stay)

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 12-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: 100€

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: Only a measly 50 Canadians per year!

Processing time: Within 30 days

Extras: Must be living in Canada when applying; upon arrival in Latvia, applicant must present a valid Canadian passport and health insurance policy at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs; pre-paid round-trip ticket from Latvia or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Lithuania

Capital: Vilnius

Population: 2.8 million souls

Official language: Lithuanian

Main attractions: The Scent of Lithuania; beautiful national parks; famous spa resorts; one of the world's oldest languages; largest moving sand dunes in Europe

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation with minimum coverage of 20,000 litas)

Savings requirement: 2400-4800 litas (depending on visa category)

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 3-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: 60€ plus a duty visa stamp of 120 litas per year to issue visa

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 7 days

Extras: Must be living in Canada when applying; pre-paid round-trip ticket from Lithuania or sufficient funds

Find more information here

The Netherlands

Capital: Amsterdam

Population: 17 million souls

Official language: Dutch

Main attractions: World-famous tulip festivals; windmill-sprinkled countryside; canal-filled cities

Age restrictions : 18-30

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A (may have to go under tuberculosis test once in country)

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: N/A

Visa length-time: 12 months (applicant may only work 12 consecutive weeks per employer)

Renewable: Yes* (can switch from working holiday visa to young workers exchange program)

Application fee: 57€

Applicant interview: No (can apply online)

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Within 90 days

Extras: Can apply from abroad

Find more information here

Norway

Capital: Oslo

Population: 5.2 million souls

Official language: Norwegian

Main attractions: Midnight sun; captivating fjords and moutain ranges; a perfect place to see the Northern Lights

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: No* (applicant must include signed declaration that they will purchase medical insurance once in country)

Savings requirement: 30,276 NOK* (depending on visa category)

Visa length-time: 12 months (applicant may only able to work 6 months per employer depending on visa category)

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $290

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 1-2 weeks

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Norway or sufficient funds ($1000); due to a representation agreement, Denmark represents Norway in Canada under this visa type and all applications must be submitted to either the Danish embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Find more information here

Poland

Capital: Warsaw

Population: 37.9 million souls

Official language: Polish

Main attractions: Bialowieza Primeval Forest; picturesque landscapes; one of the world's oldest salt mines

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation, repatriation death and pregnancy with minimum coverage of $50,000)

Savings requirement: 800 PLN per month of stay

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 6-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: $150

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 1-2 months

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Poland or sufficient funds; CV

Find more information here

San Marino*

Capital: San Marino

Population: 33,400 souls

Official language: Italian

Main attractions: World’s 5th smallest country; national parks and trails offering various free rock climbing experiences; Mount Titano

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: N/A

Savings requirement: N/A

Visa length-time: 12 months (applicant may only able to work 6 months per employer)

Renewable: Yes (must be 12-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: ----

Applicant interview: ----

Applicant limit: ----

Processing time: ----

Extras: Application must already in possession of a working holiday visa from another country in the Schengen area in order to apply for a work permit in San Marino; applicant must apply for a letter of introduction at the San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs, and once given, this must be submitted to the Foreigners’ Office of the Gendarmerie to receive a stay permit; applicant must then register at the Labour Office in San Marino to receive a work permit

Find more information here

Slovakia

Capital: Bratislava

Population: 5.4 million souls

Official language: Slovakian

Main attractions: The only capital in the world that borders two independent countries; over 6000 caves; High Tatras National Park; Slovak National Park; highest amount of castles per capita; over 1000 mineral springs

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 1785€

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 3-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: FREE

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 30 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Poland or sufficient funds; applicants can only apply to the Slovak Embassy in Ottawa

Find more information here

Slovenia

Capital: Llubljana

Population: 2 million souls

Official language: Slovene

Main attractions: Hundreds of castles and manors; natural thermal baths; more than 10,000 caves; a stunning riviera; world's largest ski jump

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $206

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $120 for a visa and $110 more for a work permit

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 15-30 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Slovenia or sufficient funds; work permit must be picked up from the government employment office in Slovenia

Find more information here

Spain

Capital: Madrid

Population: 48 million souls

Official language: Spanish

Main attractions: 5000 km of coastline; more Blue Flag beaches than any other country; endless nightlife; unarguable affordability

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: Normal

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: $2580* (depending on visa category)

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes (must have 3-month discontinuance between visas)

Application fee: $150

Applicant interview: No (applicant is able to give power of attorney to someone else on their behalf)

Applicant limit: 1000 visas per year

Processing time: 3-6 weeks

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Spain or sufficient funds

Find more information here

Sweden

Capital: Stockholm

Population: 9.9 million souls

Official language: Swedish

Main attractions: One of the only few places in the world where you can experience 24 hours of daylight; almost 4000 nature preserves; ice hotels; glacier-filled national parks; world's largest Ikea

Age restrictions : 18-30

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: 15,000 SEK

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: $155

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: Up to 3 months

Extras: Must live in Canada when applying; pre-paid round-trip ticket from Sweden or sufficient funds ($2300); applicants who don't file their applications online will have to pay an extra processing fee at the consulate or embassy if they submit their application in person

Find more information here

Switzerland

Capital: Bern

Population: 8.4 million souls

Official language: French, German, Italian, Romansch

Main attractions: The Swiss Alps; world-famous chocolate boutiques; stunning lakes throughout the country

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: Yes* (applicant's training/field of study must correlate with the focus of their employment in Switzerland)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: Yes

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation)

Savings requirement: N/A

Visa length-time: 12-18 months

Renewable: Yes* (applicants cannot spend more than 18 months in country under both participations)

Application fee: 60€* (technically the application is free but this cost must be paid to issue an entry visa, which is separate from the working permit)

Applicant interview: Yes

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 6-8 weeks

Extras: N/A

Find more information here

Ukraine*

Capital: Kiev

Population: 44.8 million souls

Official language: Ukrainian

Main attractions: Home to 5% of the world's natural resources; endless sunflower fields; the Tunnel of Love; the Carpathian Mountains

Age restrictions : 18-35

Educational certification needed: No* (depending on visa category)

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No* (depending on visa category)

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: 12 months (including hospitalisation and repatriation with minimum coverage of 30,000€)

Savings requirement: $2500

Visa length-time: 12 months

Renewable: Yes

Application fee: ----

Applicant interview: ----

Applicant limit: 200 visas per year

Processing time: ----

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from Ukraine or sufficient funds

Find more information here

At the time of this writing the working holiday scheme between Canada and Ukraine had been put on hold*

UK

Capital: London

Population: 66 million souls

Official language: English

Main attractions: Stonehenge; numerous live rock music venues; famous educational institutes; historic castles and houses; free national museums

Age restrictions : 18-30

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: N/A

Mandatory insurance policy: Applicant must pay immigration healthcare surcharge to the government when applying (there's a calculator based on applicant's circumstances); £600

Savings requirement: £1890

Visa length-time: 12-24 months

Renewable: No

Application fee: £244

Applicant interview: No (applicant must submit online)

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 3 weeks

Extras: Applicants have to get their fingerprints and photograph taken at a local visa application centre in order to apply for their biometric residence permit; biometric residence permits must be collected in the UK within 10 days of applicants’ stated arrival; applicants aren't allowed to work as a professional sportsperson, doctor or dentist unless they have UK qualifications; applicant's can't have equipment worth more that £5000 if self-employed

Find more information here

OCEANIA

Australia

Capital: Canberra

Population: 24.6 million souls

Official language: English

Main attractions: World-class surfing and diving; temperate year-round climate; kangaroos and wallabies

Age restrictions : 18-35 years old

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: Must be examined by a certified Medical Officer of the Commonwealth

Mandatory insurance policy: For duration of stay

Savings requirement: $5000AUD

Visa length-time: 12 months (study up to 4 months, work up to 6 months at any job)

Renewable: Yes (applicant has to be willing to do specified outdoor work in regional Australia)

Application fee: A whopping $450AUD!

Applicant interview: No* (but the applicant may have to complete a character assessment form)

Applicant limit: N/A

Processing time: 15-44 days average

Extras: Sufficient funds to leave Australia; signing of the Australian Values Statement; not owing (along with any member of your family) any debt to the Australian government

Find more information here

New Zealand

Capital: Wellington

Population: 4.7 million souls

Official language: English

Main attractions: Hobbit movie set; rock slide and sand dune boogie boarding; dormant volcanoes; unebatable kayaing opportunities; glowworm caves

Age restrictions: 18-35 years old

Educational certification needed: No

Necessary pre-arranged work contract: No

Health certification: Must provide General Medical Certificate

Mandatory insurance policy: For duration of stay

Savings requirement: $4200NZ

Visa length-time: 12-23 months (study or train for up to 6 months)

Renewable: No (but 12-month visas can be extended to 23-month visas)

Application fee: $425NZ (one of the most expensive)

Applicant interview: No

Applicant limit: Unlimited

Processing time: 20 days

Extras: Pre-paid round-trip ticket from New Zealand or sufficient funds; must leave New Zealand before visa expires

Find more information here

FINAL THOUGHTS

No matter where you decide to settle down for a season or two, just make sure to have all your required documents ready well ahead of submitting your visa application. All fees are non-refundable so if you goof on one step, don’t expect your money back. Applying for a working holiday visa might be a stressful affair for those moving to countries not known for being great with bureaucracy (ahem, Spain) but, in the end, it’s worth all the struggle to make your ex-pat dreams come true!

Whether you make your new home in the Tuscan countryside or in a Chilean beach town, I wish you luck with your move. Write me when you get there!

May you get lost in the wonder,

M