Age
The age range applies at application. Also check residence, previous participation and all other conditions for your passport.
References: HK-WHS
Irish passport / Working Holiday
Working Holiday in Hong Kong for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements and practical preparation for your Working Holiday in Hong Kong. Start with the summary, then follow the five stages.
Governments can change visa requirements at any time. Always check the official government pages before applying.
Key facts at a glance
- Age
- 18–30 inclusiveLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Length of stay
- Up to 12 monthsLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Initial funds
- At least HKD 20,000Learn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Visa fee
- No visa fee under the Irish special arrangementLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Annual quota
- 200 per yearLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Application dates and timing
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Language
- To be confirmedLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Study
- Study and training not permittedLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
- Work
- Maximum 3 months with the same employerLearn moreReferences: HK-WHS
Ireland →Hong KongWorking Holiday in Hong Kong for Irish citizens (2026)
Requirements, application steps and preparation before departure.
Step 1
Check requirements and language preparation
Length of stay
The consulted Immigration Department page says up to twelve months and normally no extension. Follow the conditions on your own visa.
References: HK-WHS
Initial funds
Prepare at least HKD 20,000 for initial living expenses, plus a return/onward ticket or separate money to buy one. This is not the whole cost of the trip.
References: HK-WHS
Visa fee
No visa fee under the Irish special arrangement
References: HK-WHS
Annual quota
200 per year
References: HK-WHS
Application dates and timing
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: HK-WHS
Language
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: HK-WHS
Explore language courses →Passport
This point has not yet been confirmed in our research for your passport. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before booking or applying.
References: HK-WHS
Insurance
Medical, hospital, repatriation and liability cover
References: HK-WHS
Documents and participation
You must ordinarily reside in your country and cannot participate again under the same scheme. Dependants cannot join under this permission.
References: HK-WHS
Step 2
Apply through the official route
Apply through Immigration’s online Working Holiday service and upload the supporting documents. Follow the approval and eVisa instructions, remembering the Irish special fee exemption. The annual allocation does not show remaining places.
- Check Irish citizenship, ordinary Irish residence, age and no previous participation.
- Prepare passport, maintenance and separate departure evidence, and insurance including liability and repatriation.
- Submit the official online application and supporting documents. Respond to any Immigration request.
- After approval, follow the Irish fee-exempt eVisa instructions and check entry and stay conditions before travel.
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
Arrange whole-stay medical, hospital, repatriation and liability insurance. Keep HKD 20,000 maintenance evidence separate from return arrangements. Do not buy a language course under this Irish Working Holiday permission: study and training are excluded.
- 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
If you are permitted to stay more than 180 days, register for a Hong Kong identity card within thirty days of arrival, subject to official exemptions. Book through Immigration and attend personally. The Irish visa allows no study or training and limits work with one employer to three months.
Work
The Irish limit is three months with one employer. This is not a three-month limit on all work combined.
Study
The Irish annex explicitly says study or training courses are not allowed. Do not book a language course under this Working Holiday permission. A different immigration permission would need separate checking.
Explore language courses →Hong Kong does not permit Irish Working Holiday participants to take study or training courses. A course would require a separately suitable immigration permission; this page does not offer a course on the Working Holiday permission.
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.
The Irish annex explicitly says study or training courses are not allowed. Do not book a language course under this Working Holiday permission. A different immigration permission would need separate checking.
Other destinations to compare
- Working Holiday in Australia →
- Working Holiday in New Zealand →
- Working Holiday in Canada →
- Working Holiday in Japan →
- Working Holiday in South Korea →
- Working Holiday in Taiwan →
- Working Holiday in Argentina →
- Working Holiday in Chile →
- Working Holiday in Andorra →
Frequently asked questions
Can Irish participants study in Hong Kong?
No. The Irish annex prohibits study and training under this permission.
How long can I work with one employer?
Up to three months with the same employer. This is not a three-month limit on all work.
Is the visa free for Irish citizens?
The scheme has a specific Irish visa-fee exemption. Follow the approval instructions.
Do HKD 20,000 include return travel?
No. Prepare maintenance funds and a return ticket or funds for it separately.
Can my dependants join on this permission?
The scheme does not allow dependant spouse or child applications to join participants.
Do I need a Hong Kong identity card?
New arrivals permitted over 180 days must register within thirty days, subject to exemptions.
Official sources
Source research includes checks from 16 and 18 October 2026. Check current requirements with the official government authority; individual check dates appear below.
HK-WHS · Hong Kong Immigration - Working Holiday Scheme
Source checked: 2026-10-16. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗IE-HK-ID-18 · Hong Kong Immigration · Identity-card registration
Source checked: 2026-10-18. Check current requirements with the official government authority.
Read the official instructions ↗