All about the working holiday in Thailand!

Thailand is a popular backpacker destination with diverse landscapes from jungles and beaches to temples and mountains. Relax in the Phi Phi Islands or settle in bustling Bangkok—Thailand has it all.
Wherever you are in the process of working holiday preparation, pvtistes.net provides free information and resources to help with your planning and big move.
Working Holiday Visa travel insurance

We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…)

1 Eligibility requirements
Age limit

Between 18 and 30 years old

Read more

Valid passport

A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday

Read more

Sufficient funds

Specific amount depends on nationality

Read more

First participation

This must be your first participation

Read more

Mandatory health insurance

Comprehensive health insurance

Read more

Qualifying citizenship

Must be a citizen of a partner country

Read more

Contents
2 FAQ

01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?

WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.

02. Which nationalities are eligible?

Young adults from Australia and New Zealand can apply for the WHV in Thailand.

03. What is the application fee?

The application fee is AU$300 for Australians and NZ$1,000 for New Zealanders.

04. What documents are required for the application?

  • Completed application form (Australians)
  • Passport
  • Recent passport-sized photograph of yourself
  • Chest X-ray report and medical examination
  • Proof of sufficient funds and return ticket or additional funds to purchase one
  • Proof of medical insurance
  • Proof of tertiary education
  • 05. How long is the visa good for?

    The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Thailand.

    06. Are there any other requirements I should be aware of?

  • You cannot bring dependents.
  • To be eligible, you must hold tertiary qualifications (full-time courses with at least three years of study).
  • 07. Are there any work restrictions?

    You are not allowed to work with the same employer for longer than three months.

    08. Do I need to buy health insurance?

    Yes. You must have comprehensive insurance that is valid for the full duration of your stay. You should purchase a policy that covers at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    09. Can I leave and re-enter at any time?

    Yes, your WHV includes multiple entries, so you can leave and re-enter Thailand as many times as you’d like during the 12-month visa period.

    10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?

    We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Thailand and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.

    We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.

    11. Where can I apply?

    Australians must submit their application to The Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra.

    New Zealanders must submit their application to The Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington.

    Contents
    3 Buying health insurance

    As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their WHV. Your insurance should cover at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.

    Learn more about Globe WHV
    Useful links
    Contents
    4 Opening a Thai baht account

    Thailand’s currency is the baht (฿, THB). As a foreigner/temporary resident, it will be difficult to open a traditional bank account in Thailand. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country and will expect to see a long-term visa.

    If you want a way of making payments as soon as you arrive, consider getting a THB debit card from an online neo-bank like Wise. Wise is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs and make payments in THB. You can top up your card using one of the supported currencies and it will auto-convert into THB when making purchases in Thailand.

    You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Thailand. Learn more about Wise.

    Learn more about Wise
    Contents
    5 Finding housing in Thailand

    Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Thailand before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.

    For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.

    Find a hostel on Hostelworld
    Useful links
    Contents
    6 Getting ready for departure

    After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!

    Useful links
    Contents
    7 Read up on other important topics

    As you prepare for your working holiday in Thailand, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.

    Library of free articles and guides on the working holiday
    Useful links
    Contents
    8 Check out language courses and other deals

    This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.

    Learn more about Babbel (-20%)
    Our special offers
    Take advantage of our special offers for flights, banking, money transfers, and language courses.
    Read more
    Contents
    Age limit

    All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive, i.e. until the day before their 31st birthday).

    Valid passport

    You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday.

    Sufficient funds

    The specific amount depends on your nationality. You must show you can support your stay with at least AU$5,000 if you are Australian or NZ$7,000 if you are a New Zealander.

    If you don’t have a return ticket, you should show additional funds to prove you can purchase one later on.

    See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.

    First participation

    This must be your first participation. If you have already been granted a Thai WHV before, then you cannot apply again.

    Mandatory health insurance

    All working holiday makers must prove they have medical and comprehensive health insurance for duration of stay. We recommend choosing one that covers at least medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

    Qualifying citizenship

    You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Thailand currently has bilateral accords with Australia and New Zealand.