How to apply for a 2nd or 3rd WHV to Australia (full guide)

Processing times

Most applicants receive their e-visa within a few hours or days, but it may take longer if additional proof of specified work or a medical examination is requested. Second and Third WHVs often take longer to process than the First WHV, so try not to worry if it takes longer than you’re used to.

Past applicants have reported that it can take at least a month to receive their WHV after the extra step of a medical exam or request for additional proof.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your spam folder to make sure you don’t miss any important emails while waiting for your WHV approval.

If you still haven’t heard any news on your visa after a few weeks, send an email to [email protected] or a message through the Working Holiday maker application enquiry form asking for an update.

If you’re applying from outside Australia, always wait until your visa has been granted to buy your plane ticket!

Checking the status of your visa

Hopefully, you will shortly receive an approval email that reads like this:

This is to advise that you have been granted a Working Holiday Visa, Subclass XXX, on XX XXXX 20XX.

The visa grant number is XXXXXXXXXXXXX. This is the unique number assigned to the visa. You should keep this visa grant number with you, as you may have to provide it to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) during the life of the visa.

Many applicants never receive an email, however, so don’t panic! You can also check your visa status on your ImmiAccount. If your application is approved, you will see a Grant Letter and that your visa status is “granted”.

Normally, you don’t need to show a physical copy when you arrive in Australia, as your visa is linked to your passport. However, you may wish to take a screenshot or print a copy of your e-visa for peace of mind.

Next steps

If you applied for your visa from within Australia, you don’t have to do anything. Your next WHV will start automatically when your current visa expires. If you apply outside of Australia, you have 12 months to enter the country from the date your visa is granted.

Whether you apply from within or outside Australia, once activated, your WHV will be valid for 12 months.

What do I do if my current visa is about to expire and my application is still being processed?

If you are applying from within Australia and your current WHV is due to expire but your application for your Second or Third WHV is still being processed, don’t worry. You will automatically be granted a bridging visa until your application is processed, so that you can stay in Australia legally.

If you move from your initial WHV onto a bridging visa while your Second WHV is being processed, you can count any days of specified work completed on your bridging visa towards the 179 days for the Third WHV.

Do I need to get a new Tax File Number?

The good news is your TFN does not change, so there’s no need to reapply for a new TFN at the start of your next WHV.

You can find your TFN on your pay slips, on your tax return documents, and on your superannuation. If you need help locating your TFN, you can call the Australian Taxation Office.

Read Everything you need to know about the Australian Tax File Number (TFN) for more info.