{"id":422306,"date":"2026-02-01T08:13:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T07:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvtistes.net\/en\/?p=422306"},"modified":"2026-02-01T11:09:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T10:09:04","slug":"30s-best-time-whv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvtistes.net\/en\/30s-best-time-whv\/","title":{"rendered":"Five reasons why your 30s are the best time for a working holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s no better time for people in their 30s to go abroad on a Working Holiday Visa<\/a>, with many countries increasing the maximum age from 30 to 35. Yet there\u2019s still such a stigma around how old is \u201ctoo old\u201d when it comes to embarking on a working holiday, gap year or even travel in general. I\u2019m here, as a fellow \u201cgeriatric\u201d working holiday maker, to tell you why there\u2019s nothing to fear about a working holiday in your 30s. In fact, it\u2019s the perfect time to go!<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick here<\/a> to see all the destinations that are available to young adults from your country!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

1. More disposable income<\/h2>\n

Whilst backpacking is synonymous with budget travel, it\u2019s undeniably more fun without the stress of being strapped for cash. Statistically, you probably have more income after working for a decade than you did as a teenager. Whether it\u2019s upgrading to a private room instead of sharing a hostel dorm or eating out instead of instant noodles, you can make the most of exploring your new home. <\/p>\n

Some of my most memorable travel experiences were my Ningaloo reef snorkel tour in Australia and grizzly bear watching tour in Canada. Both excursions cost hundreds of dollars and wouldn\u2019t have been an option when I was younger and backpacking on a budget.<\/p>\n

2. More work experience<\/h2>\n

When it comes to the \u2018work\u2019 part of your Working Holiday Visa, age can be a positive thing. Having more years of work experience and potentially more senior roles on your CV will increase the variety of jobs to choose from. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s not guaranteed\u2014especially in cities where competition in the job market is tight\u2014but you might find something comparable to the position you had back home. On both my working holidays in New Zealand and Australia, once I had my foot in the door at a company, I moved from basic data entry into more senior roles because of my previous work experience.<\/p>\n

3. Easier to settle down abroad (if you want to)<\/h2>\n

Maybe you\u2019re using your working holiday as a way of testing the waters before a longer-term move. Applying for permanent residency in a foreign country often revolves around a points-based system: the more experienced you are in terms of educational studies or job title, the more points! Someone in their 30s will likely have more points than someone fresh out of school with no work experience or degree. An extended stay will help you build your contacts and work experience in that country, which could be beneficial for the process of settling there permanently.<\/p>\n

4. More confidence (in a different way)<\/h2>\n

One of the brilliant things about travel\u2014especially solo travel\u2014is the way it develops your confidence. In my early 20s, my time on working holidays gave me the confidence to be independent. Now, however, it\u2019s about feeling confident that it\u2019s never too late to start over and remembering that your 30s are still a time for being, acting and feeling young! <\/p>\n

Depending on where you grow up, there is often societal pressure to achieve milestones by a certain age. No wonder turning 30 starts to sound ancient… Ignoring the criticism and going on a working holiday will rewire the way you feel about yourself and those important goals in life. <\/p>\n

5. More appreciation<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m not saying you won\u2019t appreciate travel when you\u2019re younger; travel is for every age! However, I do feel more grateful to have taken part in multiple working holidays now I\u2019m approaching the age where I\u2019ll no longer be eligible. <\/p>\n

Plus, my first solo travels were more focused on meeting people\u2014I\u2019d prioritise booking social or \u201cparty\u201d hostels that ran bar crawls or bottomless brunches (and didn\u2019t always make it to the sunrise hike or walking tour the next day\u2026) Recently, I\u2019ve focused my working holiday plans more on getting off the beaten path, being welcomed by locals into their culture and marvelling at Mother Nature\u2019s ever-changing landscapes. <\/p>\n

I still get to meet like-minded travellers but this time our bond is special because of our shared experience of how lucky we are to be on a working holiday, unlike when I was in my early 20s and took the privilege for granted.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\nIf you still need convincing to take the plunge, check out:<\/p>\n