A working holiday visa is applied for with the authority of the destination country, not in Germany. If you plan a year of travel and work, you first need to know which country is an option, because age limits, deadlines and the application route are set by each country. This checklist puts the steps in order and shows which details you need to verify for each one.
Short answer: The working holiday visa is issued by the destination country. For the partner programmes in which Germany is the destination, the Federal Foreign Office names an age range of 18 to 30 years, and 34 years for nationals of the Republic of Korea. For your trip, the rules of the destination country apply. Check the age limit, the length of stay and the application route on the website of the responsible authority. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- The destination country issues the visa. Germany does not set the conditions for your trip.
- Age limits differ from programme to programme. Figures from one partner programme cannot be transferred to another country.
- The application is made online or through a diplomatic mission, depending on the country. The authority website states which route applies.
- The fee, the length of stay and the conditions for an extension are set by the destination country.
- Start the application before departure. Many steps, such as evidence and insurance, need lead time.
What is a working holiday visa?
A working holiday visa allows young adults to live and work in another country for a limited period, in order to fund their trip. The Australian immigration authority describes the visa as one for young adults who want an extended holiday and to work to fund it. It is therefore not a classic work visa, but a programme with its own rules on work, duration and evidence.
This makes it different from a semester abroad, which is tied to a university, and from an internship, which requires a position. The German guide Auslandspraktikum oder Work and Travel: Was passt zu dir? (in German) helps you decide which option fits your situation.
Who can apply for the visa?
The most important question is whether your destination country offers a working holiday programme with Germany. The answer determines everything else: age limit, nationality, length of stay and application route. The table below lists the points to clarify before you apply.
| Check | What you should clarify | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Age limit | Whether you are within the age range at the date that the programme sets, for example application or arrival | Immigration authority website of the destination country |
| Nationality | Whether your passport is eligible for the programme | Website of the authority or diplomatic mission |
| Length of stay | How long the first visa is valid and under which conditions it can be extended | Programme conditions |
| Application route | Whether you apply online or at a diplomatic mission | Application page of the destination country |
The age limits show why a general answer is not enough. The Federal Foreign Office describes working holiday programmes from the perspective of partner countries that send nationals to Germany, and names 18 to 30 years, and 34 years for Korea. For a trip to another country, the list of that country applies. Taking Australia as an example, you check which age limit applies to your nationality on the Department of Home Affairs page on the Subclass 417 visa (last updated 9 December 2024).
How the application works
The following order has proven useful for most programmes. The details differ, but the core steps remain the same.
- Choose the destination country and the programme. Check whether a working holiday programme exists for your country and which conditions apply.
- Check the age limit and the cut-off date. Find out whether your age is measured at the time of application, arrival or grant of the visa.
- Collect your evidence. This usually includes a valid passport and the financial details that the country requires.
- Choose the application route. The application is made online or at a diplomatic mission, depending on the country.
- Check the fee, the processing time and the rules for refusals before you pay.
Deadlines and timing
Plan the application so that you have enough time for evidence, appointments and possible follow-up questions. Check on the website of the destination country whether there are application windows or limited quotas. Such rules change, so the information from the responsible authority is more reliable than any guide, including this one.
If you plan work, insurance and accommodation for the first weeks, book them only once the visa has been granted. The departure checklist is covered in the German guide Work and Travel Checkliste: Was du vor der Abreise erledigen musst (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the visa in Germany?
That depends on the destination country. Some countries accept applications online, others require an appointment at a diplomatic mission. Whether you may apply from Germany is stated on the website of the responsible body.
Do I need a job before I leave?
Many working holiday programmes do not require a fixed job, but conditions for work still apply. Check the destination country rules on permitted work and on activities that may count towards an extension.
Do I need travel health insurance?
Whether insurance is compulsory is set by the destination country. Regardless of that, it is worth checking the scope of cover before you leave. The German guide Auslandskrankenversicherung für Erasmus, USA und Work and Travel (in German) explains the points that matter.
What happens if I am just over the age limit?
Then the programme no longer fits you. What counts is the cut-off date of the programme, which can fall at application, arrival or visa grant depending on the country. Clarify it with the authority before you apply, because a later correction is often not possible.
Is the visa fee refunded if the application is refused?
The destination country sets this in its conditions. Read the notes on the fee on the application page carefully before you pay. A refund is not automatically provided.
What matters after approval
With the visa in hand, preparation is not yet complete. Many programmes require you to keep to the conditions during your stay, for example on working hours, types of work or a change of employer. Note these conditions directly after approval and keep the document safely with your passport.
It also makes sense to store digital copies of important documents. These include the visa, the proof of insurance and the contact details of the responsible diplomatic mission. If questions come up on site, you can then respond more quickly.
- Keep a copy of the visa and the conditions, digitally and on paper
- Save emergency numbers and the contact details of the diplomatic mission
- Note the conditions on work and extension in your calendar
What to do now
- List the countries that could work for you and check each programme on the website of its authority.
- Note the age limit, cut-off date, length of stay and fee separately for each country.
- Start the application in good time and prepare your evidence in advance.
- Clarify health insurance before you pay the visa fee.
Related guides
- Work and Travel: An overview of countries, visas and budget
- Work and Travel USA: Summer job visa J-1, costs and process
- Work and Travel United Kingdom: Visa, costs and process
- Work and Travel Budget: How much money you should bring
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, FAQ on the working holiday programme and Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs, Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417). The age figures of the Federal Foreign Office (page undated, retrieved November 2026) refer to partner programmes with Germany as the destination.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
