Application for a Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

This text is based on information given to and experiences made by the German Embassy Copenhagen at this particular time. We assume no liability whatsoever for the content provided.

Your application can only be submitted in person, after booking an appointment in advance via the Embassy’s website. Only complete applications with all necessary documents will be accepted and processed.
Please book an appointment here.

The Working Holiday Visa Programme is based on bilateral agreements between the Federal Republic of Germany and Argentina, Australia, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Uruguay. It aims at enabling young people to gain an insight into German culture and daily life, allowing them to travel to Germany for up to 12 months. The main reason to travel to Germany should be a vacation. To help finance the stay, jobs can be taken up.

Who can apply and where?

To be eligible to the Working Holiday Visa you must

• be a citizen either of Argentina/Australia/Chile/Israel/Japan/New Zealand/Uruguay
• be between 18 and 30 years old
• not be accompanied by any dependent family members during your stay

These nationals may lodge an application at any consular post of the Federal Republic of Germany in any country where they have their residence.

Australian, New Zealand, Israeli and Japanese citizens are encouraged to apply for a residence permit directly at the local immigration authority ('Ausländerbehörde') after entering Germany. But please note: Without a valid working-holiday visa you are not allowed to commence any employment.

The following documents are required

• A duly completed and signed application form
• A biometrical passport photo (see separate photo specifications on our website)
• A Passport that is valid for at least six months (original plus copy of main page).
• A valid Danish residence permit (original + a photocopy)
• Health Insurance: At the time of issue of a national visa, proof of a valid health insurance must be submitted. The insurance can be contracted by the traveller or by the host in Germany. You must be able to prove that you are actually insured, which can only be documented by the original policy. Should you wish to submit a printout, please include the payment receipt and mark the relevant passages in the insurance policy or submit a certificate of insurance by the provider. Regular travel health insurances are generally insufficient. So-called “incoming” health insurances are accepted. As a general rule, travellers must provide proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for the period of validity of the visa or until the traveller has contracted a German health insurance for his/her stay in Germany.
• Proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel confirmation) at least for the first week of your stay in Germany
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the first 3 months of your stay in Germany: bank statement from the last three months (with your full name on it and stamped by the bank - Danish or German bank) with at least EUR 2.000 available; if you will have free accommodation in Germany (for example with relatives or friends) for the full first 3 months, the necessary amount is 750 EUR instead . In this case, please submit proof of free accommodation (invitation letter + passport copy of the inviting person)
• A return flight ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket 1500 EUR (original + a photocopy)
• Curriculum vitae (table)
• Individual letter of Motivation
• For Argentinian applicants: Danish certificate of no criminal record from the police

• Visa fee 75 €, payable either by Visa/Mastercard or in cash in DKK, approximately 560 DKK, depending on the exchange rate
  

What else do I need to know?

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Applicants are requested to apply well in advance to the intended date of departure. Application processing may take up to two weeks. This time frame may vary depending on the individual application. The Embassy does not accept responsibility for applications handed in at too short notice. Please apply in person. The Working Holiday Visa includes the Work Permit for Germany.

There is no guarantee that a visa will be issued and we wish to point out that it is at the discretion of the Embassy to request additional documents at any time while processing the visa.

Upon arrival in Germany border authorities may assess whether the prerequisites to enter Germany are still applicable. This assessment is international practice. You might be refused entry although you are holding a valid visa. In order to facilitate admission formalities and avoid unnecessary delays we strongly recommend that you keep documents providing evidence about the nature of your stay with you (particularly proof of sufficient funds and medical insurance).

Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the Visa Section immediately of any errors.

How and where to find a holiday job in Germany?

You may obtain information on job availability from every local labour office (Agentur für Arbeit). However, this office can only be of assistance if you intend to work for the same employer at least several weeks. Or else you are advised to directly contact potential employers. For general information on employment in Germany you may contact:

Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV)
der Bundesagentur für Arbeit in Bonn
phone: +49 911 12031010 (charges apply)
Mo-Fr, 8am – 6pm