Australia and the Philippines have signed a new reciprocal work and holiday visa agreement that will allow nationals of the two countries to seek employment in each other’s territory while on vacation.
The deal on the new reciprocal work and holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos was signed during an official visit of the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, to Manila on September 8, VisaGuide.World reports.
During this visit, Prime Minister Albanese and the President of the Philippines, Bongbong Marcos, said that this agreement comes as part of their efforts to increase the economic, cultural, and people-to-people links between the two countries.
As the authorities have explained, the work and holiday visa will permit all eligible Australians and Filipinos to stay in the host country for up to 12 months. However, in order to be able to obtain the visa, applicants must meet certain requirements.
The work and holiday visa will be available only for citizens of the two countries between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of application.
Moreover, in order to be eligible for the visa, applicants will be required to present proof of having completed tertiary education or having finished a minimum of years of undergraduate education.
In addition to the above-mentioned, as the authorities have revealed, the work and holiday visa applicants will also be required to meet health and national security requirements. They will also be required to submit proof of having purchased medical travel health insurance valid for the duration of their entire stay.
“Nationals of one participant who have been granted a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa under this Memorandum of Understanding may be denied entry or removed from the territory of the other participant in accordance with the laws and regulations of that participant,” a part of the agreement reads.
The agreement also notes that citizens of Australia and the Philippines working on each other’s territory on this type of visa will be covered by the same labor and employment law.
The Australian Embassy in Manila said that Filipinos will be able to apply for the work and holiday visa from next year. The same noted that this type of visa will help Filipinos to have an extended stay in Australia and do short-term work to help fund their trip.
The work and holiday visa costs around $635, and on their initial stay, Filipinos will be able to make enough to support their stay and purchase a return ticket to leave the country.