Indians! You can soon go backpacking to Australia, work, earn money and also explore the gorgeous nation in style. Yes you read this right! Australia is offering a special Backpacker Visa to Indians. This news comes after India and Australia signed a Free Trade Agreement. The agreement shared by the Australian government states that Work and Holiday visas will be implemented for Indian citizens within a span of two years. This shall in turn boost cultural and economic ties between the two nations. Well, read on to know all the deets of Australia’s new backpacker visa for Indians.
What Is Work & Holiday Visa To Australia?
According to a report by SBS AU, the Work and Holiday visa for Indians would permit 1000 travellers from India to work and travel in Australia for a year. They will be eligible for a Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) with a validity of 12 months. During this time, Indian travellers can leave and re-enter the country as many times as they please. Moreover, the visa allows them to do any type of work in Australia. But there’s a catch. They can only work for the same employer for 6 months. The Work and Holiday visa also lets Indians study for 4 months.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njt4aDLiQU4
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Different From Working Holiday Visa
Now, one thing to be noted is. Don’t confuse the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) with Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417). While the former requires a certain qualification and proficiency in the English language, the latter doesn’t. Currently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed an agreement for the Work and Holiday Visa. After the agreement was signed, Morrison prepared PM Modi’s favourite khichdi to celebrate the signing of the agreement.
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Indian Backpackers Eligible For Work & Holiday Visa To Australia
Now, here’s how you can find out if you’re eligible for the new Work and Holiday Visa or not. Firstly, applicants must complete two years of study after their secondary education and obtain a functional level of English proficiency to be eligible for this visa.
Requirements for Work and Holiday Visa
- Must be 18 to 30 years of age at the time of application
- Must hold a valid Indian passport
- Not have previous visa application cancelled or visa cancelled
- Must meet required health and character
- Have adequate funds to depart from Australia and for personal needs
- Traveller has to be outside Australia at time of application and grant of visa
- Shouldn’t have entered the country on Working Holiday Visa or Work and Holiday Visa