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The "Working Holiday Programme”

Programme objective

The ‘Working Holiday’ Programme (Work and Travel Programme) is a very interesting opportunity for young citizens of the Republic of Poland and partner countries, allowing them to combine travelling and learning about other cultures with the opportunity to gain professional experience. By participating in this Programme, beneficiaries can significantly improve their language skills, establish international contacts and, at the same time, finance their stay themselves through additional work. The Programme therefore offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional development in an atmosphere of exploring the world.

Foreign trips under the Programme are very popular among young Polish citizens. Participants, aged 18 to 30, have the opportunity to spend a year discovering the culture and language of countries on the other side of the world, while also taking advantage of the opportunity to work, which complements the main goal of getting to know the host country.

Poland has been participating in the ‘Working Holiday’ Programme since 2010, when the first agreement was signed with New Zealand – a global pioneer in this type of bilateral agreement. To date, bilateral agreements have been signed between Poland and the Republic of Chile, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Peru. Thanks to these agreements, young Poles receive both a visa and the opportunity to work, which allows them to combine business with pleasure – leisure and travel with gaining professional experience.

Rules of Participation

Detailed conditions for participation in the programmes are set out in agreements signed with individual countries. It should be noted that the conditions may vary depending on the specific agreement, so it is important to pay close attention to them when applying for a visa to partner countries. Differences include annual limits on visas for participation in programmes, but also the required language proficiency and minimum education.

In addition to specific conditions, such as the need to obtain a certificate for participation in the ‘Work and Travel’ Programme in Australia, there are a number of conditions that apply to all programmes. Applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • Indicate that the main purpose of the trip is to stay in the host country for leisure, while taking up employment will be of a supplementary nature and will not constitute the main purpose of the visit;
  • Hold a valid passport, issued no more than ten (10) years prior to the visa application, containing at least two (2) blank pages and valid for at least ninety (90) days after the end of the planned stay;
  • Have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one;
  • Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay, in an amount determined by the competent authorities of the host country (Parties to the Agreement);
  • Meet the health requirements specified in the legal regulations of the host country;
  • Purchase comprehensive health insurance, including hospital care, in accordance with applicable regulations;
  • Have not previously participated in the ‘Work and Travel’ Programme organised by the host country;
  • Be at least 18 years of age, but not yet 31 years of age at the time of applying for a visa;
  • Not travel with dependants during their stay in the host country.

Visa procedures

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is the institution supervising cooperation with partner countries under the ‘Working Holiday’ agreements and does not directly mediate in the procedure of issuing visas to citizens interested in participating in the programmes.

Polish citizens wishing to travel under the ‘Working Holiday’ Programme shall apply for visas at the relevant embassies of partner countries or via the relevant websites. Citizens of partner countries shall submit their applications to Polish embassies or consulates.

Working Holiday Agreements with partner countries

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