Studying during and after a Working Holiday Visa

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Studying during a Working Holiday Visa

Studying during your Working Holiday Visa depends on the regulations of the country you are visiting. In many cases, Working Holiday Visas have restrictions on education, often limiting the duration and type of study program you can pursue. In Canada, South Korea, and New Zealand, you can take language courses for a maximum of 6 months during your Working Holiday Visa stay. In Australia, the maximum is 17 weeks. Therefore, it is not possible to undertake higher education while on a Working Holiday Visa.

Taking English courses is the most popular and accessible option during your Working Holiday Visa stay. Typically, our participants take 4 to 12 weeks of language courses at the beginning of their stay, either part-time or intensive.

Language course destinations

Do you want to stay in the country and pursue higher education?

Congratulations on your decision to study after your Working Holiday! It's a great way to continue exploring the world, gaining new skills, and improving your job prospects. If you'd like to stay in the country where you're on your Working Holiday Visa and you can't extend it, as is the case in Australia (maximum 3 Working Holiday Visas), this is often the best option to remain in your adopted country.

Your options

Taking English courses:
It is possible to enroll in long-term English courses and obtain a student visa that will allow you to work outside of language courses (maximum duration of 24 hours/week in Australia and 20 hours in New Zealand and Canada).
You can choose between intensive courses or part-time courses, business English courses, English test preparation courses (IELTS, etc.).
Many language schools offer programs tailored to the needs of Working Holiday Visa holders. Visavacancestravail.be can advise you on this. Many schools are listed on this website.

To pursue professional training
Several countries, including Australia and Canada, offer professional training programs lasting one semester or one year with relatively few class hours, giving you the opportunity to work on the side. These programs are generally offered in the following fields: Digital Marketing, Business, Tourism, Project Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Communication, etc.
Applying to
a university is often a daunting task when you want to study abroad. You need to start the process well in advance and not wait until the last month of your Working Holiday Visa. You'll also need to consider the academic year start dates (February and July in Australia, August/September and January in Quebec, etc.).
For university applications, you'll need to submit documents such as your high school diploma (or equivalent) for a bachelor's degree, your bachelor's degree for a master's degree, a letter of motivation in most cases, one or more letters of recommendation, and sometimes a CV.

Study Experience: Visavacancestravail.be's partner.
Study Experience is an agency specializing in supporting students with their study abroad projects. Study Experience can assist you, even remotely, throughout the university admissions process, whether in your current country or another. More than a dozen destinations are available, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and more.
We recommend starting to plan your project at least six months before your Working Holiday Visa expires, but Study Experience can also help if you're planning at the last minute.

Tips for choosing the right option:

Define your objectives: what training do you want to pursue as a student after your WHV? What career are you aiming for?
Research the different options: Compare the available study programs before you commit.
Create a budget: Take into account tuition fees, the cost of living, and visa fees. What is your available budget, knowing that you can cover part of your expenses by working legally outside of your studies?
Prepare your application: Gather all the necessary documents to complete your registration file and to obtain your student visa.

Studying during and after a Working Holiday Visa

Studying during a Working Holiday Visa

Do you want to stay in the country and pursue higher education?

Your options

Tips for choosing the right option:

Useful resources