Working Holiday Visa

Did you know there is a really awesome opportunity for persons under 30 or 35? It's called a working holiday visa and it allows a person to stay for up to a year in another country, sight-seeing and working around. There are many countries that offer this visa to encourage travel for younger people.

I wanted to share this because it seems like not a lot of people know about it and it's what I got to allow me to travel to New Zealand for a whole year! There is an age maximum so I'm going to take advantage of it until then. :) The really great thing about this visa is that it allows you to work and earn money while you travel. When you're gone for a year, it really helps to find ways to refill the coffers.

There are many ways to make some cash while travelling. WOOFing is really popular in Australia and New Zealand. WWOOFing stands for Willing Workers on Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. In other words, you put in a few hours of hard physical work for some pay, and sometimes, a place to sleep. With Woofing, you don't need a work visa. But what if you see a great opportunity to earn some cash waitressing or, say, baking? That's where the work visa comes in. No need for under-the-table deals. :D

My life in a backpack!

Working holiday visas generally last for a year and cannot be regranted, but there are some exceptions. New Zealand, for example, will grant a second one (for persons under the age max) if you go through SWAP.

I'll be heading to New Zealand soon and my plan is to continue posting about my adventures there. (Is anyone else excited to see what a kiwi grocery store looks like? No? Just me?) From reading around, it seems wifi in kiwi land isn't as reliable, nor as freely available, as it is here but I'm sure I can make it work. What are my plans? I have no idea! In fact, I only just confirmed a place to stay for my first two weeks in Auckland a few weeks ago. We'll just have to see from there. :P

I also want to share some resources I've been using to help prepare for this trip:

Nomadic Matt - a great travel blog from a professional traveller. Matt gives great tips, price brackets, and highlights for many destinations. He also gives really good advice on how to save up money to travel in the first place.

Work Away - one of many websites that helps to connect travellers with locals. Locals post an ad about what kind of help they need around their property in exchange for accommodation and sometimes food.

HelpEx - another help exchange website

Make Every Dollar Count - a great article about ways to save money while abroad, like using specific debt cards and credit cards for fewer fees

Working Holiday Starter NZ - a company that specializes in helping people through the working holiday process and supporting them throughout the year

To say I'm excited is a major understatement. This is going to be amazing and I want it to start right now! I hope you will enjoy a glimpse of New Zealand throughout my adventures. :)