How to Enjoy Multiple Working Holiday Adventures (Yes, You Can!)

Working Holiday adventures are addictive, aren’t they!

Many of you are asking if it’s okay to apply for different Working Holiday permits for different countries, hold two Working Holiday permits at the same time or apply for two Working Holiday permits for the same country.

Let’s answer all of these questions—and if you’re wondering why this topic comes up so often, read 16 Good Reasons to Apply for a Working Holiday Visa!

Can I participate in the Working Holiday program more than once?

Depending on your country of citizenship, you could be eligible for about 30 different Working Holiday destinations—check the requirements here! 

So if you’re hesitating between spending a year in France, Canada or New Zealand, you could technically apply for a Working Holiday for each of these countries and spend three years on the road, gaining work experience abroad and discovering new cultures.

Each participating country sets their own eligibility requirements and application process so it may take a bit of prep work if you want to move seamlessly from one country to another but it’s doable.

Can I hold two different Working Holiday permits at the same time?

Technically, yes. 

However, in most cases, there’s no point in securing multiple Working Holiday permits at the same—take it one destination at a time. 

There’s one exception to this. It does make sense to secure two Working Holiday permits if you’re eyeing a popular destination with a very limited number of spots available. A few participating countries set an annual Working Holiday permit quota and the number of applicants often exceeds the number of permits available for the year—for instance, Canada is often insanely popular and now applicants are randomly drawn from a pool to ensure fairness. 

And while most destinations do cap the number of Working Holiday permits issued annually, the first-come first-served basis system works just fine for many, many participating countries.

You should also keep in mind that it takes some serious Working Holiday permit management skills to have two permits in your passport.

First, there’s usually a deadline to activate your Working Holiday permit. It varies but this is something to keep in mind if you’re planning to spend 12 months in your first Working Holiday destination—make sure to make it to the next country before this second Working Holiday expires!

Second, you may have to apply for the Working Holiday from your home country. Again, this depends on your country of citizenship and the Working Holiday destinations—sometimes it’s okay to apply from anywhere in the world, but sometimes you have to complete the process at home. For instance, you can even apply for a Working Holiday to Canada from within Canada!

Can I apply for a second Working Holiday for the same destination?

Repeating the Working Holiday experience in another country is usually pretty straightforward but very few countries let you have a second Working Holiday permit. For instance, you can have a second Working Holiday in Mexico or Argentina but you won’t be issued two Working Holiday permits for Japan or Uruguay.

Note that being issued a Working Holiday permit counts as participating even if you don’t end up travelling to the country and activating the permit. The only exception is Australia—if you’re issued a Working Holiday but can’t travel to Australia for whatever reason, you can apply again for another Working Holiday permit. 

The following countries only let travellers participate in their Working Holiday program once: Argentina, Brazil, Canada (but other IEC permits may be an option and dual citizens can apply with each passport!), Chile, Colombia, Equator, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay.

You may be eligible to spend a second and even a third year in Australia as a Working Holiday holder if you meet specific requirements, including six-months of specified work in a specified regional area during the previous Working Holiday.

In New Zealand, you may be able to get a three-month Working Holiday permit extension if you have completed at least three months of seasonal work.

So, where in the world are you planning to go?