Working Holiday Scheme

To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has implemented Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, the United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary, Sweden and the Netherlands. Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner countries, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.

Under the Scheme, participants may stay in the partner country for an extended period. They are also allowed to take up short-term employment as an incidental aspect of their stay, or enrol in short-term course(s) (except for Ireland) so as to acquire a better understanding of the cultural and social developments of the partner country. The Scheme aims to enable Hong Kong youths to gain invaluable experience while holidaying, which would help strengthen their self-confidence, resilience and interpersonal skills.

According to the bilateral working holiday scheme arrangements, each side may provide a fixed annual quota for eligible applicants of the other side (the schemes with Australia and Sweden which the quota is unlimited for Hong Kong applicants).

For detailed eligibility criteria of individual working holiday scheme, please refer to the Working Holiday Scheme website and updates from the respective host Governments and Consulates. Hong Kong applicants may approach the relevant Consulates for application forms and enquiries about details of the Scheme. Applicants are reminded that the eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions of individual working holiday scheme are subject to review and change by the host Government without prior notice. Applicants are advised to check with the Consulate before application.

Working Holiday Scheme participants are reminded to take out appropriate medical, hospitalization and/or liability insurance and plan ahead before departure. They must stay vigilant while travelling abroad, always observe local laws and be cautious in dealing with the terms and conditions laid down in employment contracts to protect themselves. In case of accident or serious incident, they should immediately approach the local government authorities for assistance. They may also approach the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.

While Hong Kong youths can go overseas for working holiday, youths of our partner countries can also come to Hong Kong for holidaying under the Scheme by applying to the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.

Enquiries
Working Holiday Scheme
Website: www.whs.gov.hk