According to online news reports, Australia and the Philippines have recently signed a reciprocal work and holiday visa agreement. Under this agreement, the nationals of both countries will be allowed to work while on vacation in the other country. The agreement was inked between the two governments during an official visit of the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese to Manila on September 8th. During this visit, both premieres – Prime Minister Albanese and President Bongbong Marcos of the Philippines expressed their desire to enhance cultural, economic, and people-to-people links between the two countries. Let’s find out more details about the work and holiday visa agreement signed by the two governments.
Work and Holiday Visa Agreement Between Australia and the Philippines
The reports reveal that the authorities have mentioned that the work and holiday visa will allow eligible Australians and Filipinos (nationals/citizens of both countries) to stay in the host country for a period of up to 12 months. However, applicants will be required to meet specific requirements to obtain the visa.
Visa Requirements
It is worth noting that the visa will only be available to citizens of the two countries (Australia and the Philippines) who are between the age group of 18 and 30 at the time of application. In addition to the above, the applicants have to present evidence of completion of tertiary education or finishing a minimum of years of undergraduate education to be considered eligible.
According to the disclosure of authorities, the applicants for work and holiday visas have to fulfill the criteria of health and national security. Apart from that, they are also required to provide proof of having bought medical travel health insurance that should remain valid throughout their entire stay.
More Details About the Work and Holiday Visa Agreement
The agreement says that the individuals who possess a work and holiday visa under this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) could be refused entry or deported from the territory of other participant depending on the laws and regulations of that participant.
According to this agreement, the citizens of Australia and the Philippines, who are working on each other’s territory using this type of visa, will be covered under the same labor and employment law. The Australian Embassy in Manila has recently made an announcement saying that Filipinos will be able to apply for work and holiday visas from next year.
This visa is packed with benefits. One of them is that it will help Filipinos get a long stay (an extended period) in Australia and do short-term work to fund their trip.
Cost of the Visa
The work and holiday visa will cost approximately $635. On the initial stay of Filipinos, they would be able to earn enough to support or manage their stay and buy a return ticket to leave the country. Reports have it that Australia has inked similar agreements with 26 countries including Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The people of both of these countries are all set now to get benefits from this visa opportunity.