PARTNERSHIP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shake hands after the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership after their bilateral meeting held at the Reception Hall of Malacañan Palace on Sept. 8, 2023. Under the memorandum of understanding, the Philippines and Australia will grant eligible participants from both countries “Work and Holiday” visa, which will permit them to stay and work in the host country for a period of 12 months. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)
PH | Australia will give 200 Filipinos “work, holiday” cards each year | MANILA – The Australian Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday that 200 Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 30 will be able to get “work and holiday” visas starting in 2024. This is part of an agreement between Manila and Canberra to exchange visas.
In a statement, the Embassy said that the Philippines will be able to join the program next year, but that the exact date hasn’t been set yet.
“Prime Minister (Anthony) Albanese and President (Ferdinand R.) Marcos (Jr.) announced a new reciprocal Work and Holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos for up to 200 young people in each direction a year, which will help strengthen economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” it said.
“The date and details on how to apply will be announced in due course,” it said.
People between the ages of 18 and 30 can use this visa to stay in Australia longer and work to help pay for their trip.
The Australian Embassy said that if you have this visa, you can:
- Work in Australia for a short time to help pay for your trip.
- spend up to four months studying
- You can go to and from Australia as often as you like
One of the requirements is that you have enough money to live on while you are in Australia.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs said this could be about 5,000 Australian dollars (about PHP180,900) for the first stay and enough extra money to buy a flight ticket to leave Australia at the end of the stay.
The work and holiday visa costs about 635 Australian dollars, which is about PHP22,974. It lets the user stay in Australia for at least 12 months.
During the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malacaang on September 8, the Philippines and Australia signed an agreement to set up a “Work and Holiday” visa program.
Under the MOU, people from either country will be able to get a “Work and Holiday” visa that will let them stay and work in the host country for a year.
“The participants agree to set up a “Work and Holiday” visa arrangement,” the MOU said. “This will allow nationals of both Participants to stay in the territory of the other Participant for the main purpose of a vacation, but they can also work to help pay for their stay.”
The MOU will be in effect for an unspecified amount of time, unless it is ended through diplomatic means with a written notice. (via PNA)
