Chile and Australia agree to increase the number of Working Holiday visas available to Chilean young people
Beginning this year, 3,400 Chilean young people will be able to participate in this program, an increase of 1,400 from 2018. This reflects Chile’s positive image, says Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Ampuero.
In the context of the development of the Working Holiday program, the Chilean and Australian governments agreed to increase the number of visas available to Chilean citizens in 2019.
Thus, as of this year, 3,400 young Chileans will be able to participate in the program—up 1,400 from in 2018.
Furthermore, they agreed upon a series of measures to simplify the application process, including eliminating the requirement that each applicant submit a letter of support from the Chilean Foreign Relations Ministry to Australia authorities. Also, beginning this year, the online system ImmiAccount will be set up for submission of applicant background information.
In regard to these developments, Foreign Relations Minister Roberto Ampuero said, “The increase in the number of visas is very good news as is the use of the online system, which will certainly make the process easier”.
He added, “This agreement reflects our close relationship with Australia and Chile’s positive image in the community, which has been built over time and we must work to preserve”.
Minister Ampuero also indicated that the agreement with Australia “demonstrates that the ministry is working to make foreign policy have concrete benefits for citizens. In this case, the Working Holiday agreement with Australia allows thousands of Chilean young people to travel, experience a different culture and strengthen their development in a holistic way”.
The agreement was signed at the Australian Embassy in Chile via an exchange of notes between Chile’s Director of Consular Policy, Francisco Devia, and Australian Ambassador Robert Fergusson.