Australia and Uruguay sign work and holiday deal
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Young Australians and Uruguayans will now be able to enjoy an extended holiday in each other's countries thanks to a new work and holiday agreement, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.
Mr Bowen and the Uruguay Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Alberto Fajardo, signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the work and holiday visa at Parliament House in Canberra today.
'The agreement provides for university educated Australian and Uruguayan travellers aged between 18 and 30 years old to work and holiday in each other's country for up to 12 months,' Mr Bowen said.
'This work and holiday agreement will enable young people to immerse themselves in a new and different cultural experience, while also fostering dialogue and economic ties between Australia and Uruguay.
'The agreement reinforces our mutually beneficial relationship with Uruguay, which is based on shared interests, greater economic cooperation, and growing trade and tourism links.'
There will be an annual limit of 200 work and holiday visas for both countries.
'In the coming months, my department will work with the Government of Uruguay to bring this agreement into effect so that young people from both countries can begin to enjoy the benefits of this visa program,' Mr Bowen said.
Uruguay is the latest country to agree to a reciprocal work and holiday visa agreement with Australia, joining countries including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey and the United States of America.
The work and holiday visa (subclass 462) differs from a working holiday visa (subclass 417). It requires an applicant to have the support of their government, hold or be studying for tertiary qualifications, and to speak functional English.
More information on work and holiday visas is available.
See: Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192100.htm
Last update: Thursday, 29 November 2012 at 14:01 AEST