Looking to plan your first working holiday? Here’s a step-by-step guide and checklist to help you carefully plan for your working holiday.
Travellers often find themselves short of time and money when they desire for a longer trip. Hence, a working holiday is a great way to gain extra time to explore a country while having a steady income.
Here’s a comprehensive guide and checklist to help you plan your working holiday:
1. Decide Your Destination
Somewhere nearby like Thailand? Or a further country like Spain? Decide firmly on the destination that you want to have a working holiday, so that you can focus on the rest of the 99% planning.
2. Plan Your Savings and Expenditure
Ensure that you have sufficient savings to fund your working holiday, because your overseas salary may not be able to cover everything like rent and daily necessities. You should have at least 3 to 6 months worth of salary in your savings to cover your working holiday expenses.
3. Plan Your Annual Leave
Should you be taking a sabbatical with your company or taking no pay leave, always plan it in advance to avoid schedule clashes.
4. Apply for Working Holiday Visa
An ordinary passport stamp usually permits a maximum 30-day stay, so you’ll need a visa or permit if you’re staying for more than a month. Be diligent in your visa application research to avoid illegal overstaying!
5. Secure An Overseas Job
Even if you plan to only look for a job after you arrive at your destination, start scouting for potential industries or companies that you’ll like to complete your stint at. Going into it well-informed will give you brownie points!
6. Book Accommodation
Always book your accommodation in advance, especially if you’re travelling during the peak seasons. If you’re looking for low cost accommodations, consider capsule hotels from SGD $31 a night or even travel hostels from SGD $10 a night. Plus, here’s 7 best booking hacks to help you score good deals.
7. Check Driving Eligibility
If you’re working in the city, you may also want to explore the countryside during your free time. Knowing if you’re able to drive in that country will allow you to plan your transportation options and purchase public transport passes in advance.
8. Buy Travel Insurance
When you’re overseas for an extended period of time, there’s always a certain amount of danger that you may be exposed to, including tourist scams. Protect yourself with a comprehensive travel insurance plan for your working holiday, but always compare the different plans first before making an informed decision.
9. Set Up Overseas Bank Account
Once you arrive at your working holiday destination, open a bank account with a local bank to store your cash and credit your salary.
10. Purchase a Local SIM Card
It’s important to have a local mobile number to stay connected, especially when you’re staying in the country for months. For matters regarding your accommodation, finances, and employment, you’ll be easily contactable.
Inspired to work and travel? Here’s some popular working holiday options
• Be a farmer in Taiwan, Australia or New Zealand
Slow down and enjoy the organic lifestyle when working with agriculture and animals. You can easily find farms to work for in Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and many others through WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms).
• Work at tourist attractions, factories, or hotels in New Zealand
The New Zealand-Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa allows individuals aged 18 to 30 to embark on a working holiday in New Zealand for 6 months. Jobs usually include places of accommodation, farms, tourist attractions and even factories. Note that you must have at least NZD $2,250 (~SGD $2,035) to live on while embarking on a working holiday in New Zealand.
• Work at a cafe, restaurant or farm in Australia
Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement costs around SGD $464, and requires proof of functional English. A working holiday in Australia typically consists of jobs in a cafe, restaurant or farm.
• Be a volunteer in Southeast Asia
The Singapore International Foundation offers various programmes such as Water For Life in Cambodia, Word on Wheels in Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as many specialist projects across Southeast Asia. These programmes range from a few days to a few months!
• Be an intern anywhere in the world
If you’re curious to experience office cultures across the globe, you don’t have to find out through a permanent posting. There are many global internship platforms that allow you to submit your resume and match you with suitable internships around the world – England, France, Italy, China, Turkey, Thailand and more!
Working holidays are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Plan one before it’s too late! To reduce currency exchange headaches, bring your YouTrip card along to enjoy Wholesale Exchange Rates with zero fees.
Read: What Can (and Can’t) I Take from Hotel Rooms?
Read: 7 Best Holiday Booking Hacks to Score Best Deals
Read: Cheapest Travel Wifi Router Rental in Singapore
Read: How to Avoid Credit Card Scams and Frauds Overseas
Read: 12 Travel Hacks To Become a Smarter and Better Traveller
Enjoy a worldwide fees-less travel experience!