The Philippines and Australia agreed to issue multiple-entry visas that will allow citizens of both countries to seek short-term employment while on holiday to help fund their trips, PhilStar Global reports. The Philippines’ Presidential Communications Office said that Manila and Canberra signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a ‘work and holiday’ visa arrangement, which will allow eligible Filipino and Australian nationals to stay and work in the host country for a non-extendable period of 12 months.  

The visa arrangement is available to Filipinos and Australians aged 18 to 31 at the time of the application. Eligible candidates should have either completed tertiary education or finished at least two years of undergraduate or post-secondary education. They must also meet health, character and national security requirements, and have medical insurance for the duration of their stay. The 12-month period will commence from the date of the first entry into the host country. Eligible individuals may leave and re-enter using the same visa. 

Both Filipino and Australian nationals are required to comply with the laws and regulations of the host country during their stay. The memorandum also stated that work and holiday visa holders who work during their visit ‘will be covered by the same diplomatic labour laws of the host government as local workers, subject to the employment conditions.’