The Working Holiday Visa Program (WHP) is based on bilateral agreements between the Federal Republic of Germany and Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, SAR Hong Kong, Taiwan and Uruguay, as well as a Youth Mobility Program (YMP) with Canada. These programs aim at enabling young people to gain insight into culture and daily life in the Federal Republic of Germany. The intention is to promote increased mutual understanding and the applicant’s primary aim should be to visit Germany. The Working Holiday Visa includes the Work Permit for Germany. The duration of the work permit depends on the nationality of the participant.

Who can apply and where?

Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Uruguay can apply for Working Holiday Visa, citizens of Canada can apply for Youth -Mobility Visa at the German Embassy.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Israel can also apply for the WHV/YMP directly at the local aliens’ authority (Ausländerbehörde) after having entered Germany.

Without a valid Working-Holiday Visa you are not allowed to commence any employment.

To be eligible for the Working Holiday Visa you must:

• be between 18 and 30 years old (for Canadian citizens: 35)
• not have previously stayed in Germany as part of the Working Holiday/Youth Mobility program
• not be accompanied by any dependent family members (e.g. children) during your stay

Required documents

To be submitted in German or English

• 1 completed and signed application form for a residence permit plus including declaration pursuant to Section 54 Residence Act
• 2 recent biometric passport photos (see specimen photos)
• Passport, valid until at least 3 months after planned departure from Germany – 1 copy of the passport’s data page
• Norwegian residence permit (card)
• Health Insurance for Germany (valid for all Schengen-countries) for entire duration of stay. The insurance must have a minimum cover of €30,000 for all medical costs and be inclusive of all costs of an emergency repatriation to your home country.
• Evidence of sufficient funds, equivalent of a minimum of €2,000 in form of bank statements in applicant’s name covering the last 3 months. If the details on the account statements are not in euros, please enclose a conversion with a screenshot of a currency converter.
  If you will have free accommodation in Germany (for example with relatives or friends) for the full first 3 months, the necessary amount is €750 instead. In this case, please submit proof of free accommodation (invitation letter + passport copy + proof of residence of the inviting person)
• Proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel reservation) at least for the first week of your stay in Germany
• A return flight ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket €1,500 (original + copy)
• Curriculum vitae (table)
• Individual letter of motivation

The special requirements and documents to be submitted for the Youth Mobility Program for Canadian nationals can be found on the website of the German diplomatic missions in Canada (https://canada.diplo.de/).

Additional information:

In individual cases, you may be required to provide additional information

Processing time for complete application is usually 2 weeks.

Please note that you cannot apply more than 3 months before your entry to Germany.

You have to pick up the visa personally at the embassy.