Indonesia, Australia agree work and holiday visa arrangement
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Young people from Australia and Indonesia will
benefit from a new reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement between the two
countries, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans
said.
The arrangement, which was signed in Jakarta by Senator Evans and Andi
Mattalatta, the Indonesian Minister for Law and Human Rights, allows
university-educated Australian and Indonesian travelers who are aged between 18
and 30 to work and holiday in each other`s country for up to 12 months, an
Australian embassy media release said here on Tuesday.
"The work and holiday visa arrangement allows young people from our two
countries who want to travel and experience a different lifestyle and culture
to work and subsidise their holiday," Senator Evans said.
The work and holiday visa differs from a working holiday visa as it requires
applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards
tertiary qualifications and speak functional English or Indonesian
respectively.
Applicants must also must meet health and character requirements and have no
dependent children. Work and holiday visa holders may do temporary or casual
work for up to six months with any one employer.
Indonesia has become the seventh country to agree to a reciprocal work and
holiday visa arrangement with Australia.
There will be an annual limit of 100 work and holiday visas for both countries
but this figure will be reviewed on an as-needs basis.
"Indonesia is a key partner for Australia and this new arrangement is an
investment in future relations with Indonesia. It will also help develop links
between people in both countries," Senator Evans said.
He said that it will provide a further incentive for young people from both
nations to deepen their understanding of our histories, cultures and economies.
Thailand was the first South East Asian country to agree to a reciprocal work
and holiday visa arrangement with Australia in July 2004. Australia also has
reciprocal work and holiday arrangements with Malaysia, Chile, Turkey,
Bangladesh and the USA.
Source : http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2009/3/3/indonesia-australia-agree-work-and-holiday-visa-arrangement/
