INDONESIA, AUSTRALIA AGREE WORK AND HOLIDAY VISA ARRANGEMENT
03 Maret 2009
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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.
