Singapore’s two different working holiday programmes EXPLAINED

You may have heard of Singapore’s Work and Holiday Visa Programme that is available only to Australians and New Zealanders, but there is actually another similar programme that is available to many more nationalities. It is called the Work Holiday Programme. The similar name can be very confusing, but let us explain!

Intro to the Work Holiday Programme

The Work Holiday Programme is one that Singapore established to admit students and recent graduates from other countries who want to work and holiday in Singapore temporarily. As you’ll see, this programme is not quite like the working holiday agreements of other countries:

1. The age limit is more restrictive: only for those aged 18–25
2. The programme duration is shorter: maximum of 6 months
3. Most importantly, participants must either be university graduates or currently enrolled in a university.

Who can participate?

Eligible are young adults aged 18 to 25 from the following countries: Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Programme information

• The Working Holiday Pass costs S$175.
• There is a quota of 2,000 spots per year (across the 10 eligible nationalities).
• You can participate in this programme more than once, as long as there is a 12-month gap between each participation.

To start the application process, visit the website of Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.

Required documents

• A valid passport
• University degree or proof of current enrollment

The processing time is about 3 weeks. Once your visa is approved, you must travel to Singapore within 3 months to activate your Work Holiday Pass.

While it’s not mandatory for the application, we strongly recommend purchasing travel medical insurance before you leave for Singapore, to cover yourself in case of health issues (minor or serious), hospitalization, or repatriation (which can cost tens of thousands of dollars).