Obtained Visa and Spent 88 Days: Details Revealed
Working Holiday Visa AU: All You Need to Know About the 88 Days, 2nd, and 3rd Year Visas
Preparing for an epic journey Down Under? Gear up! The Working Holiday Visa in Australia is a goldmine for young travelers willing to explore and work at the same time. But the buzzwords like 88 Days, 2nd, and 3rd year visas can often leave you baffled. Fret not! Former Working Holidayer here, sharing the nitty-gritty details to help you navigate the Aussie adventure with ease.
To apply for the Working Holiday Visa, any German citizen aged between 18 to 30 (some countries have a maximum age limit of 35) with no hefty criminal background is eligibile. Simply fill out the online application, submit a valid passport, and prove you have at least 5,000 AUD (approximately 3,000€) in the bank. No need to be in the country while applying, and the approval process generally takes 4-6 weeks, costing around 400€.
So, what can you do with the Working Holiday Visa? The permit lasts for one year from the entry date, allowing you to work anywhere except for one employer for more than six months. Plus, study for up to four months, and enter and exit Australia as many times as you please within that year. Ready for a break? Fly to Fiji or Indonesia, and return to Australia without a hitch.
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If you're aiming for a second year, brace yourself for a bit of elbow grease. Complete 88 days of specified work, and voila! You're eligible for another year. But what on earth is "specified work"? Don't worry; I tried my best to decipher it. In Australia, they refer to it as "88 days of specified work." Okay, but what is "specified work"? Let me break it down.
Typical "specified work" involves farmhand jobs, but the options have expanded over the years. For example, tourism and hospitality in remote and very remote Australia, construction, and bushfire recovery and disaster work all count. Refer to the official government website for a complete list of jobs that qualify for a second-year Work & Holiday visa.
Regrets and Lessons Learned
You might find yourself reminiscing about your time in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa. But hey, you never know what life might bring! I, for one, wish I had completed the 88 days before leaving the Land Down Under.
Why? Well, I returned to Germany feeling unfulfilled with my studies and job. With a sudden tsunami of regret, I realized I had missed out on the chance to extend my visa for another year. Luckily, I discovered the Covid visa just in time, leading to another chance to apply for the 1st year Working Holiday Visa again. Moral of the story: think twice before giving up on the 88 days.
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What about work? I've been working as a roofer (without previous experience) on the Sunshine Coast for almost two months now. Living with two friends in a shared house just a stones throw from the nearest surf spot is a bonus! The job not only provides a wage but also qualifies me for next year, as it meets the specified work requirements.
The Controversial 88 Days
It's no secret that the question surrounding how the days are calculated for the 88 days is a sensitive topic. Personally, I chose the simple approach and downloaded the "88th day" app to keep track of my hours and find out when I would hit the 88 days. I recommend playing it safe, just like I did, and aim to complete the required hours in at least four months instead of three, to account for non-working days like weekends and holidays.
Once you've completed the 88 days, jumpstart your next adventure, change jobs, or simply relax. Just make sure to hang on to your payslips, essential documents needed for the second-year visa application.
I hope this post clears the air a bit! If you have any specific questions or additional knowledge on the topic, feel free to drop a comment below. Until next time - Cheers!
Jesko
- After completing 88 days of specified work such as farmhand jobs, construction, tourism, hospitality, or bushfire recovery, you can qualify for another year of the Working Holiday Visa in Australia.
- Expanding your lifestyle with a Working Holiday Visa not only allows you to work, but also provides the opportunity to travel to other countries, like Fiji or Indonesia, and return to Australia without any issues.
