The age limit for the Australian WH Visa is now 35 years

Australia has raised the age limit for the Working Holiday Program to 35 years for Ireland. Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, made the announcement during his official visit to Australia.

 

The Working Holiday Visa allows Irish nationals to work for up to 2 years in Australia. The reciprocal agreement also allows Australian citizens to work in Ireland for the same duration.

 

Speaking about the agreement, Simon Coveney, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that it promotes cultural exchange. It also helps in strengthening people-to-people links. The extension of the age limit will now allow a diverse group to avail the Visa. He also said that it also helps strengthen the ties between the two countries, as per The Irish Times.

 

O’Donovan said that the extension of the age limit highlights the far-reaching success of the program.

 

The Working Holiday Program was started in the year 1975. Since its inception, more than 275,000 Irish nationals have spent up to 2 years in Australia through this visa.

 

8,653 visas under the Working Holiday Program were issued to Ireland in 2017 alone.

 

However, the number of Irish citizens moving to Australia has slowed down in recent years. As per the Central Statistics Office, 17,400 Irish nationals moved from Ireland to Australia in 2012. In the 12 months prior to April 2017, only 5,300 moved from Ireland to Australia. This is just a third of the number of people who moved in 2012.

 

With the increase in the age limit, both countries are hopeful that more people would avail this Visa scheme.

 

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If you are looking to Visit, Study, Work, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Consultant.

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