General information

The Working Holiday Visa Programme is based on a bilateral agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and Australia (also with Argentina, Israel, New Zealand, Japan, Chile and other countries) and aims at enabling young people to gain an insight into the culture and daily life of the Federal Republic of Germany, allowing them to travel to Germany for a stay of up to 12 months. To help finance the stay, jobs can be taken up with different employers of the visa holder's choice.

To be eligible for the Working Holiday visa you must:

• be an Australian (or Argentinian, Chilean, Uruguayan, Israeli, Japanese, New Zealand or Canadian) citizen,
• be between 18 and 30 years old (the visa has to be granted before the 31st birthday) with the exception of Canadian citizens, who can apply until the age of 35 years,
• not be accompanied by dependent family members (e.g. children) during your stay.

Employment is permitted throughout the validity of the visa but should remain of temporary character in order to facilitate additional financial means to your holiday travel intentions in Germany.
Conditions regarding length and type of employment are governed by the individual bilateral agreement:

• Citizens of Argentina may work for a total of six months only.
• Citizens of Chile and Uruguay may work for up to six months with the same employer. After that employment may be continued for a different or several other employers for the remaining time. Both fulltime and part-time employment are allowed.
• Citizens of Israel may work for up to three months with the same employer. After three months employment can be continued with a different employer.
• There are no restrictions for citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
• Self-employment or freelance work is only permitted for citizens of Chile, Israel and Uruguay.

Australian citizens as well as citizens of Canada, Israel, Japan and New Zealand can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand. However, we recommend to apply for the Working Holiday Visa in advance, because the visa issued is valid for the whole first year and it allows you to start working immediately after arrival.

Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan applicants have to apply for the necessary visa in advance, but can apply at the German Consulate in Sydney. All other nationals have to apply at the German representations in their home country.

Please note that until the Working Holiday Visa has been issued you will not be able to work yet.

The processing time for Working Holiday visas is approximately two weeks.

Necessary documents

Please do not staple the documents!

Argentinian applicants please refer to the list of necessary documents on the website of the German Embassy Buenos Aires

Canadian applicants please refer to the list of necessary documents on the website of the German Consulate General Toronto

All other applicants:

• Completed and signed application form
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Please ensure that the barcode is printed in high quality.
  Only if the online application form is not available, you can print out this application form and fill it out by hand.
  NOTE: You do not have to give a reference person in the application form, instead you can enter “not applicable”.
• Recent passport photograph (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• Your national passport (validity of which should still be for the whole duration of your stay and an additional 3 months) - original plus 1 copy of the data page
• Proof of visa status in Australia (VEVO) (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• Copy of your flight ticket
  • Alternatively proof of sufficient funds: approximately AUD 2100 for a round trip or AUD 1500 for a one-way ticket (if you already have a ticket for the flight to Germany)
• Proof of sufficient funds:
  • Bank statements (with your full name on it!) for the last 3 months with at least 7,100 AUD available funds.
  • If you will have free accommodation in Germany (for example with relatives or friends) for the full first 3 months, the necessary amount would be 1,800 AUD instead - in this case please also submit proof of your free accommodation (invitation letter + passport copy of the inviting person)
• Evidence of health/travel insurance valid in Germany for your whole stay (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs and including coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages)
• Prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• Visa fee: 75 EUR by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AUD). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) are not accepted.

Please note that all documents other than in German or English must be translated into German language.

Please note that we can process only complete applications. If you hand in your application with one or several documents listed above missing, you will have to come again for a new appointment.

Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents.

Additional information

• Applicants are requested to apply well ahead of their intended date of departure - however, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before intended travel dates. Processing of Working Holiday visa may take from one to two weeks. This may vary from case to case.
• Upon your arrival the border authorities may examine whether the requirements for your entry continue to be valid. Entry may be refused by the border authorities although you are in possession of a valid visa. We advise you to carry with you documents giving evidence to the purpose of your stay.
• Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the visa section immediately if there are any mistakes.
• Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area. However please be aware that you will be still subject to the 90 days within 180 days rule outside of Germany.

How and where to find a holiday job in Germany?

In all larger towns in Germany you can obtain information (e.g. on available jobs) from the local employment office (“Agentur für Arbeit”). However, this office can only be of assistance if you want to spend at least several weeks working for the same employer. Otherwise you are advised to establish direct contact with potential employers.

For general information on employment in Germany please contact:

“Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV) der Bundesagentur für Arbeit” in Bonn
Phone: (001149)/(0) 228 7131313
Fax: (001149)/(0) 228 2701111
​​​​​​​www.arbeitsagentur.de​​​​​​​

Appointment booking

Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to apply at the Consulate General in Sydney in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.