Working Holiday Scheme Hong Kong: countries, ages, quotas

Hong Kong’s Working Holiday Scheme lets young people from 13 partner countries spend up to 12 months here, mainly on holiday, and take temporary jobs to help fund the trip. You must hold a national passport of a partner country and be aged 18 to 30. Each country has an annual quota, and ImmD approves qualified applications first come, first served.

Who can apply

ImmD’s Working Holiday Scheme page says the scheme is open to national passport holders of a participating country who:

• are aged between 18 and 30
• ordinarily live in their home country
• mainly intend to holiday in Hong Kong
• can show funds to support themselves here.

Partner countries and annual quotas

ImmD lists 13 partner countries for the scheme:

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Japan
• Korea, Republic of
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Each country has its own annual quota, and the numbers differ widely between countries and change over time. Check the current quota for your country on ImmD’s Working Holiday Scheme page before you apply. If your country is not on the list, this scheme is not open to you.

Funds you need to show

ImmD asks for proof that you can support yourself in Hong Kong, and the amount depends on your nationality. For example, it asks Australian, Austrian, Dutch, German, Irish, Japanese, Korean and Swedish citizens for not less than HK$20,000, Canadian citizens for HK$15,000 and New Zealand citizens for HK$14,000. Check the figure for your own nationality on ImmD’s page or on the application form.

How to apply

1. Check the scheme is open to you. Confirm your country is listed and that you are within the 18 to 30 age range.
2. Complete the application form, ID(E) 940A, Application for Working Holiday Visa. It sets out the documents and conditions for each nationality.
3. Gather proof of funds at the level set for your nationality.
4. Lodge the application as ImmD’s scheme page directs, and check the current fee and processing time there. Applying early in the quota year gives you the best chance, because qualified applications are approved first come, first served.
5. Travel within the visa’s terms. ImmD issues a Working Holiday visa allowing entry for not more than 12 months, subject to normal immigration requirements and to conditions on work and study.

What you can and cannot do

• Holiday first. The main purpose of the stay must be a holiday.
• Temporary work only. You may take temporary jobs as an incidental part of your holiday. You may not take permanent employment.
• Extra limits for some nationalities. For example, ImmD says Australian citizens may not work for the same employer for more than three months. Read the conditions for your nationality on the form.
• Study. The visa carries conditions on study too. Check them before you enrol in any course.

How it compares with other ways to come

The visit figures come from ImmD’s visit visa requirements page. A working holiday suits a long trip with some casual work. It is not a route into a permanent job.

Common mistakes and next steps

• Applying when you are over 30. The age range is 18 to 30.
• Treating the visa as a job visa. A permanent role needs an employment visa.
• Arriving without the funds ImmD asked you to show.
• Waiting until late in the quota year, when your country’s quota may already be used.

If you want to stay on and work after your working holiday, that is a separate application. Our guide to work visas and talent visas compares the main routes, and the General Employment Policy guide covers sponsored jobs. ImmD decides every application. For help with a later move, compare the visa firms on our list.