Hong Kong, Italy sign working holiday agreement

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Hong Kong and Italy have signed a working holiday visa agreement.

What does the change mean? Under the agreement, applicants ages 18 through 30 will be able to apply for visas that will allow them to stay in Hong Kong or Italy for up to 12 months. During this time, they will be allowed to work to pay for their stay or enroll in short-term academic courses. The annual quota will be 500 visas for each side.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing. Additional information is expected in the coming weeks and months.
• Visas/permits affected: Working holiday visas.
• Who is affected: Young people in Italy or Hong Kong interested in working and/or studying abroad; employers in Hong Kong or Italy interested in hiring Italian or Hong Kong passport holders for short-term work.
• Next steps: Additional information is expected to be published soon on the websites for the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Background: Officials from Hong Kong and Italy signed the agreement on July 5. The agreement with Italy is the fourteenth agreement of its type that Hong Kong has signed since 2001. Hong Kong also has working holiday arrangements with Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Analysis & Comments: The working holiday agreement will provide new work and study opportunities for applicants ages 18 to 30 in Hong Kong and Italy.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.