Australian passport / Working Holiday

Working Holiday in the Netherlands for Australians (2026)

Check the essential requirements, then follow the five stages to prepare your application and trip.

Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

Key facts at a glance

Age: 18–30 at applicationLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Length of stay: Up to one yearLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Initial funds: Enough for your stay and return travelLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Visa fee: EUR 85Learn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Annual quota: To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Application dates and timing: Online applications from abroad: no earlier than 90 days before travelLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Language: Foreign official documents require accepted translationsLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Study: A short study programme or courseLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END
Work: Occasional work to support the exchangeLearn moreReferences: AU-NL-END

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Step 1

Check requirements and language preparation

Age

Australian citizens are eligible for the nationality branch without an MVV entry visa. Other conditions still apply.

References: AU-NL-END

Length of stay

The Working Holiday residence permit cannot be extended.

References: AU-NL-END

Initial funds

IND asks applicants to estimate their living needs and hold a return ticket or money to buy one. It does not give a fixed Australian amount on this page; public benefits are excluded.

References: AU-NL-END

Visa fee

Follow the payment letter issued by IND, usually through its secure email service.

References: AU-NL-END

Annual quota

The checked IND guidance does not state an Australian allocation. Consult IND for programme information; no remaining-place information is provided here.

References: AU-NL-END

Application dates and timing

Australians may also apply by post or at an IND desk in the Netherlands by appointment. No Australian annual opening date is established here.

References: AU-NL-END

Language

IND accepts Dutch, English, French or German translations, with legalisation where required. This does not establish a proficiency test.

References: AU-NL-END

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Passport

Use the Australian application branch. The six-month passport margin shown for an MVV sticker is not transferred to Australians who do not need an MVV.

References: AU-NL-END

Insurance

The applicant must have insurance covering healthcare costs in the Netherlands.

References: AU-NL-END

Documents and participation

IND also excludes applicants who previously held a regular Dutch residence permit and lived there with it. The restriction is broader than a previous Working Holiday alone.

References: AU-NL-END

Step 2

Apply through the official route

Apply directly to IND through the Australian online branch, the correct written form, or an appointment at an IND desk. An Australian does not need the MVV procedure used for other nationalities.

Check the prior Dutch residence restriction, cultural-exchange purpose, funds, return travel and healthcare cover.
Gather the Australian-branch form and supporting documents. Arrange any required legalisation and accepted translation.
Submit online, by post, or at an IND desk by appointment. If applying online from abroad, stay within the 90-day advance limit and pay when IND sends its instructions.
After approval, supply biometrics if still required and book residence-document collection. IND says collection can follow about a week after approval and biometrics.

Read the official instructions ↗

Step 3

Read your approval and entry conditions

Read the entire approval notice: identity, dates, entry deadline and conditions. Keep it available offline. Do not assume the visa starts on your preferred date.

Step 4

Get ready for the trip

Budget from your own accommodation and living needs rather than a guessed official minimum. Keep access to IND’s secure messages and allow for a longer decision if documents are incomplete.

Passport, visa and requested evidence accessible offline.
Initial funds, insurance and departure costs checked separately.
First accommodation and airport transport arranged.

Step 5

Start your Working Holiday

Collect the residence card by appointment and read its work endorsement. Notify IND of relevant changes; a submitted application alone does not establish that work is authorised.

Work

An employer does not need a work permit for permitted occasional work. Full-time work can be possible, but not for the same employer for the entire year; self-employment is prohibited.

AU-NL-END

Study

Cultural exchange must remain the main purpose. The checked page gives no numeric short-course maximum.

AU-NL-END

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Language courses · commercial service

Plan a language course for your trip.

Through ViveCampus you can request language-course quotes with international-student discounts. Offers may vary by your country of origin and destination. A personalized quote confirms available discounts and the final price. Booking a course does not guarantee a visa.

Cultural exchange must remain the main purpose. The checked page gives no numeric short-course maximum.

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Frequently asked questions

Do Australians need an MVV?

No. IND directs Australians to a direct residence-permit application, with online, postal and in-country desk options.

References: AU-NL-END

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Is there a fixed savings threshold?

The checked page requires enough living money and return travel but asks applicants to estimate their own needs. It does not give an Australian numeric minimum.

References: AU-NL-END

Can I work full time?

IND allows full-time hours within occasional work, but not the whole year for the same employer. The main purpose remains cultural exchange.

References: AU-NL-END

Can I freelance?

No. IND expressly excludes self-employment under this permit.

References: AU-NL-END

Can I extend after a year?

No. IND says the Working Holiday permit cannot be extended.

References: AU-NL-END

Can I travel while an online application is pending?

IND allows applicants abroad to come and await the decision, but a negative decision requires immediate departure. This does not itself authorise starting work.

References: AU-NL-END

Official sources

Research consulted: 17 October 2026. Check current requirements with the issuing authority before applying.

2026-10-18 · Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.

AU-NL-END · IND - Residence permit Working Holiday

Read the official instructions ↗