Greece added to Work and Holiday visa program

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Australia has announced that it has agreed to a reciprocal Work and Holiday visa program with Greece.

What does the change mean? The arrangement will allow 500 young people from each country to take up short-term work and limited study while on holiday in the other’s country.

• Implementation timeframe: Australia and Greece have agreed to the reciprocal visas but have not set an implementation date.
• Visas/permits affected: Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visas.
• Who is affected: Australian and Greek nationals between the ages of 18 and 30.
• Impact on processing times: None.
• Business impact: Individual employers can hire those on Work and Holiday visas for short-term employment up to six months.

Background: Australia is actively expanding its Work and Holiday program. Greece is the 12th country to enter into reciprocal agreements with Australia. The others are Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, the U.S. and Uruguay.

BAL Analysis: Expansion of this program may benefit companies with global training programs because it will allow them to train and hire young student interns on Work and Holiday visas.

This alert has been provided by BAL Australia. For additional information, please contact australia@bal.com.

MARN: 9683856

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