(Jan. 31, 2011) Bangladesh has become the latest country to join a reciprocal “work and holiday” visa agreement with Australia. Other countries with such agreements with Australia include Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States.
Under this agreement, which took effect on December 31, 2010, citizens of Bangladesh or of Australia between the ages of 18 and 30 can work in the other country through a work and holiday arrangement. Participating individuals are expected to either have higher education degrees or to be currently pursuing them. The program requires fluency in the English language. Selected individuals may participate in this program for up to 12 months. The number of participants from Bangladesh is limited to 100 per year, but this figure will be reviewed every year. (New Australian Work and Holiday Agreement with Bangladesh, Australian Visa Bureau website, (Jan. 4, 2011), http://www.visabureau.com/australia/news/04-01-2010/new-australian-work-
and-holiday-agreement-with-bangladesh.aspx.)
The “work and holiday” visa is not to be confused with Australia's “working holiday” visa. Under the “working holiday” visa, applicants must support themselves independently, while under the “work and holiday” visa, applicants are supported by their respective governments for their education, but are also allowed to supplement their incomes through temporary employment. (Australia Working Holiday Visa, Australian Visa Bureau website, http://www.visabureau.com/australia/working-holiday-visa.aspx (last visited Jan. 27, 2011).)