Hi strangers,
I was granted my first year WHV at 30 years old. Would I be accepted onto a 2nd year extension providing I’ve completed the relevant work experience despite being 31 at the time of application? Or would 1 year be the most I could do?
Cheers!
What is 'WHV'?
WHV = working holiday visa
The limit is 30 for WHVs for most countries.. However, for some countries the limit is 35. As far as I can tell it is these 4
UK, Canada, France and Ireland
So if you're lucky enough to be in one of those,you could do it. And even a third one after that!
Or otherwise, maybe by the time you have finished the first one they might have added your country to the list.
I am not aware of the Australian rules on this issue...
However, I have come to know a lot of people on these visas, they have a 2-year visa IIRC and get their 'extension' for the additional year by working in a rural area/industry (picking and packing fruit, that sort of thing) for three months during their first period.
You would find the details on the Australian Government websites.
I also just assumed this was about an Australian WHV. But I guess it could also be about one to NZ. In which case I really have no idea.
I did look at the Australian immigration department's website. It mentions "some countries" can apply up to the age of 35, but I could not find a list of those countries. I ended up finding that info from news articles.
I found the countries...
Denmark, Republic of Ireland, Italy and France.
The age applies at the time of making the application.
It seems, though, that someone who has had a previous working visa and worked in rural areas (and didn't take the option to stay on?) can apply for a Section 417 Subclass working visa. It's difficult to interpret and maybe the 'Ask a Question' option is best.
Ah yes, I see now.. though you missed Canada
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/second-working-holiday-417#Eligibility (under the age section)
I found some more detail on the UK situation. A new trade deal was signed last year. As part of that deal, the age will be extended to 35 within two years. So the UK will also be added to the list shortly.
[ Edit: Edited on 9 Jul 2022, 06:27 GMT by Peter ]
Assuming you aren't lucky enough to be a citizen of one of those countries where the WHV is valid until age 35 (and assuming we're indeed talking about the Australian WHV) - what's important to note is that your age at the time you apply is what counts. So, if you do the full three months of specified work before you turn 31, and then also apply for your 2nd year before you turn 31 (even one day before is fine), you should be granted it, regardless of the time you still have left on your regular WHV. Your second year visa will only start once the time from your first visa will have expired.
However, you simply will not be granted the 2nd year WHV if you're aged 31 when applying, as it's a hard eligibility requirement to be aged 30 or below when applying.
So, assuming you enter Australia on your first WHV while aged 30 and 8 months, you then do specified work for 3 months, and apply for your second year WHV while aged 30 and 11 months. Your first WHV will continue to be valid until aged 31 and 8 months, and your second year WHV will then last you until you're 32 and 8 months.
Source How long you can stay:
You are in Australia on your first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa
You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months from the date your first Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa expired or would have expired.
[ Edit: Edited on 9 Jul 2022, 07:34 GMT by Sander ]