Residence permit Working Holiday

Last update: 3 June 2025

Working Holiday (WHP or WHS) is a cultural exchange programme for young people aged 18 to 30 from certain countries. The main purpose is to get to know Dutch society and culture. Read what the requirements are and how to apply for the residence permit.

Who can apply for the residence permit?

You can only apply for the residence permit if you have the nationality or a passport of 1 of the following countries or territories:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Taiwan
  • Uruguay
  • South Korea

Do you have another nationality? Then you cannot apply for a residence permit Working Holiday.  

Maximum number of participants

Every year, a maximum of 100 young people per country from Argentina, Uruguay, Hong Kong and Taiwan can come to the Netherlands for a Working Holiday residence permit. And per country a maximum of 200 young people from Japan and South Korea. 

Requirements

These requirements apply to you:

  • You have the nationality of a country with which you can apply for a Working Holiday residence permit. Check who can apply for the residence permit.
  • You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
  • You are at least 18 and no older than 30 years old at the time of the application.
  • You previously did not have a residence permit in the Netherlands for an exchange residence purpose.
  • You have a return ticket. Or you can show that you have enough money to buy a ticket for the return journey.
  • You have enough money to pay for the first period in the Netherlands. You must estimate how much money you need. You may not receive social benefits from Dutch public funds.
  • You have insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in the Netherlands.
  • You are coming to the Netherlands for cultural exchange. The main purpose is to get to know Dutch society and culture. You may complete a short study or course during the exchange.
  • You meet the requirements set out in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or the Note Verbale of your country. For example, you must live in the country of your nationality when you submit the application. 

Japan and South Korea: extra requirement

Do you have the nationality of Japan or South Korea? Then you need to register. Read how to apply for a pre-registration in step 3 at Process and costs. 

Process and costs

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  • 1. Check requirements open minus
  • 1. Check requirements open minus
  • 2. Collect documents open minus
  • 3. Apply open minus
  • 4. Pay for application open minus
  • 2. Wait for decision on application open minus
  • 5. Wait for decision on application open minus
  • 3. Decision on application open minus
  • 6. Decision on application open minus
  • 7. Making an appointment for an MVV visa sticker and collecting the residence permit open minus

Application forms

Online application form Working Holiday

You can only use the online application form if you have the nationality of Australia, Canada or New-Zealand. And you apply for a residence permit for the first time in the Netherlands.

Written application forms

Do you have the nationality or a passport of Australia, Canada, New Zealand Japan or South Korea? Use the following written application form:
Do you have the nationality or a passport of Argentina, Uruguay, Hong Kong or Taiwan? Use the following written application form. This form is only available in English.

The residence permit

Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit:

Working with the residence permit

It says on the back of your residence permit: ‘Work permit not required for occasional work while on WHP/WHS, other work not permitted’ (in Dutch: TWV niet vereist voor incidentele arbeid in het kader van WHP/WHS, andere arbeid niet toegestaan). 

Occasional work means that you are allowed to work only to financially support your stay in the Netherlands. Then your employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for you. You may, for example work fulltime, but not the whole year for the same employer. Nor may you work as a self-employed person. This is because the main purpose of your stay is cultural exchange.    

Legal obligations

You have an obligation to provide information. This means that you must notify the IND of changes in your situation.

Read more about your obligation to provide information.

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may get an administrative fine

Validity of the residence permit

The residence permit for a working holiday is valid for a maximum of 1 year. 

Type of residence permit

The residence permit is type I, temporary regular residence permit.

Other applications

You cannot extend the working holiday residence permit. Has your residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have your residence permit replaced. Visit the web page residence permit damaged or change of details or residence permit lost or stolen.