Gap Year Visas - The Basics

Everything you ever wanted to know about applying for a Work and Travel Visa.

If you need a visa to visit a country, then it will probably be one of the following types, depending on what you what to do and where you want to do it:

Tourist Visa
If you just want to travel and are not interested in working, then you will only need to apply for a tourist visa. These generally allow you to travel around a country for a set period of time, there are usually conditions which you will need to meet but the process is generally not as complicated as the other 2 types we feature here.

Note: If this is what you are planning to do, make sure you stick to those plans - if you are caught working on a tourist visa then you'll be chucked out of the country, and you may never be allowed back in!

Working Holiday Visa
This kind of visa allows you to work in a country for a specified amount of time. The number of different kinds of "working" visa for some countries is mind-boggling, depending on what kind of work you can do or would like to do. The application process for this type of visa is often quite complex - we recommend you contact a reputable company to arrange the visa for you or go through a sponsoring agency who will not only arrange a visa for you but also help you find a job!

Student Visas
Many governments operate overseas student programmes that allow you to study in their country for a set period of time. Obviously you need to be willing to undertake a registered course at an educational establishment in the country to be eligible. This type of visa will sometimes also allow you to find work, although the hours each week you can work is often limited.

So, now you know the basics! To give you even more information, in this guide we've covered the major gap year and backpacker destinations - just select the country you are interested in!

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