Imagine waking up in New Zealand, spending the day working on a vineyard, then using your days off to hike mountains or surf beaches. Or pulling pints in an Irish pub, making friends from around the world — and saving up for your next adventure.
A working holiday is the perfect blend of travel and income: a chance to live abroad, earn money, meet locals, and experience a country like no tourist ever could. But working holidays come with rules, paperwork, and decisions you’ll need to plan carefully to make it amazing (and legal).
This ultimate guide covers how to plan a working holiday abroad, step by step — from visas and job ideas to saving money and making friends.
Why Take a Working Holiday?
✅ Travel longer: Earning money means you don’t burn through savings.
✅ Deeper experience: Live like a local, not just a visitor.
✅ Skills & resume boost: Show future employers you’re adaptable and independent.
✅ Lifelong friends: Meet people from all over the world.
✅ Stories: You’ll have memories no ordinary vacation could give you.
1️⃣ What is a Working Holiday Visa?
A working holiday visa lets you live in a country for a set time (often 6–24 months) and work legally to fund your travels.
✅ Many countries have special agreements for young travelers (usually 18–30 or 18–35).
✅ You can do casual work: farming, hospitality, retail, seasonal gigs.
✅ Some visas limit how long you can stay with one employer.
2️⃣ Top Countries for Working Holidays
✅ Australia: The classic — farm work, bars, tourism, great weather.
✅ New Zealand: Vineyards, ski resorts, hostels, adventure tourism.
✅ Canada: Ski resorts, national parks, summer camps, cities.
✅ UK & Ireland: Pubs, cafes, festival gigs.
✅ Japan: Teach English, work in resorts or rural areas.
✅ South Korea: English teaching, seasonal tourism.
✅ Some EU countries: France and Germany offer options for certain nationalities.
Always check your country’s specific agreements — they vary!
3️⃣ Are You Eligible?
✅ Age: Usually 18–30 (sometimes 35).
✅ Funds: Proof of savings — often $2,500–$5,000 to support yourself at first.
✅ Health insurance: Many countries require proof.
✅ Clean criminal record: Some visas need background checks.
✅ Medical check: Some countries need proof you’re healthy.
4️⃣ Pick the Right Time
✅ Research seasons: ski resorts hire in winter, farms need pickers in harvest months.
✅ Some visas fill fast — Australia and New Zealand open new spots each year.
✅ Give yourself time for paperwork, savings, and planning.
5️⃣ Budget for Your Working Holiday
✅ Visa application fee.
✅ Flight tickets.
✅ Travel insurance.
✅ Proof of savings (you may not spend it, but you need to show it).
✅ First weeks’ accommodation.
✅ Money for initial food and transport.
✅ Gear — warm clothes if you’re working in winter.
6️⃣ Find the Right Job
Most working holiday jobs are casual, seasonal, or tourism-related:
✅ Farms: fruit picking, vineyard work.
✅ Ski resorts: lift operator, rentals, hospitality.
✅ Hostels: front desk, housekeeping.
✅ Cafes and pubs: barista, bartender, waiter.
✅ Events and festivals: ticketing, setup, service.
✅ Retail: shops in tourist towns.
✅ Teach English: if you have a degree and sometimes a TEFL certificate.
7️⃣ Where to Look for Jobs
✅ Job boards specific to working holidays: Backpacker Job Board (Australia), Seek, Jora.
✅ Facebook groups for expats or working holidaymakers.
✅ Hostel notice boards.
✅ Local newspapers and flyers.
✅ Word of mouth — travelers help each other!
✅ Recruitment fairs for ski resorts or camps.
8️⃣ Prepare Your Resume and Documents
✅ Simple, clear resume — highlight any relevant experience: customer service, manual labor, bar work.
✅ Add a local phone number and address once you arrive.
✅ Bring digital copies and prints.
✅ Get references ready — some employers check.
✅ Local bank account: open one early.
✅ Tax ID: many countries require this before you get paid legally.
9️⃣ Book Accommodation for the First Weeks
✅ Hostels are social and good for networking.
✅ Some hostels help find jobs in exchange for a few shifts of cleaning or reception.
✅ Airbnb or short-term rentals for privacy.
✅ Farm stays: some farms provide free room and board if you work for them.
🔟 Health and Travel Insurance
✅ Many visas require proof of insurance.
✅ Make sure it covers work — some policies exclude manual labor or adventure jobs.
✅ Covers medical, lost gear, trip changes.
✅ Good options: World Nomads, SafetyWing, or local plans.
1️⃣1️⃣ Make Friends and Stay Social
✅ Hostels and shared houses make it easy.
✅ Join Facebook groups for your city or town.
✅ Local events: pub quizzes, free walking tours, sports leagues.
✅ Don’t be shy — everyone is in the same boat.
✅ Respect local culture and coworkers.
1️⃣2️⃣ Real Working Holiday Stories
Maya, New Zealand:
“I picked kiwifruit in the North Island for three months — hard work but good pay. I made friends from Germany, Japan, and Chile. We rented a van and road-tripped the South Island after harvest.”
Dylan, Australia:
“I pulled pints in a Sydney pub and saved enough for a diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef. The pub became my second family — we partied, surfed, and explored together.”
Priya, Canada:
“I did a season in Whistler working at a ski rental shop. Free lift pass! On days off I learned to snowboard. Now I work in adventure tourism full-time — it started with that job.”
1️⃣3️⃣ Legal Tips: Stay Out of Trouble
✅ Don’t work under the table — getting caught can get you banned.
✅ Stick to the visa rules — don’t overstay.
✅ Keep copies of job contracts and pay slips.
✅ Pay local taxes — it’s required!
✅ Follow health and safety rules at work.
1️⃣4️⃣ Sustainable Working Holidays
✅ Choose ethical farms — avoid ones with bad reputations for worker treatment.
✅ Support local businesses.
✅ Use public transport or bike when possible.
✅ Respect wildlife and local nature — leave no trace.
✅ Spread money around — stay in small towns, buy local.
1️⃣5️⃣ When to Take Breaks
✅ Many travelers do 2–3 months of work, then travel for a while.
✅ Farm jobs pay well but can be exhausting — plan rest days.
✅ Big cities can drain your budget — mix urban jobs with rural gigs.
✅ Listen to your body — burnout kills the fun.
1️⃣6️⃣ Working Holiday with a Partner or Friend
✅ Many couples do working holidays together — you can find jobs at the same resort or farm.
✅ Some employers prefer pairs for farm or hospitality work.
✅ Traveling with a friend makes housing cheaper.
✅ Be flexible — sometimes you’ll work different shifts.
1️⃣7️⃣ Working Holiday for Digital Nomads
✅ Some countries’ working holiday visas allow remote work — double-check the rules.
✅ Good Wi-Fi? Stay in cities or co-living spaces.
✅ Mix part-time jobs with freelance gigs.
✅ Many people build remote careers that started on working holidays.
1️⃣8️⃣ Packing Checklist
✅ Weather-appropriate clothes (layers!)
✅ Good work shoes or boots.
✅ Waterproof jacket.
✅ Universal adapter.
✅ Small lock for hostel lockers.
✅ Backpack or suitcase that’s easy to carry.
✅ Copies of all visa and insurance documents.
✅ Laptop if you plan to freelance.
✅ Reusable water bottle, tote bag.
✅ Small first aid kit.
✅ Journal — working holidays make great stories!
Final Words: Earn, Explore, Grow
A working holiday is more than just cheap travel — it’s your chance to grow, try new things, make lifelong friends, and see parts of the world most tourists never do.
Plan well, stay legal, keep an open mind — and be ready for hard days and amazing nights. One good season picking apples or pouring beers could lead to a whole new life path.
So pack your bag, print that resume, and go earn your adventure.
Happy working holiday! ✈️🌍💪