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Visa & Work Permit Requirements
The following is general information about visa and work permit requirements in various countries where we offer working abroad programs. If you have specific questions, feel free to call InterExchange Working Abroad at 1-800-597-3675 or email us.
Argentina
Australia
China
Chile
France
Germany
India
Italy
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Spain
Turkey
Argentina
A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter Argentina. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. U.S. citizens who arrive in Argentina with expired or damaged passports may be refused entry and returned to the United States at their own expense.
Interested in volunteering in Argentina? Check out our programs:
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Australia
For Au Pair and Work & Travel Programs
Working Holiday Visa (462 Visa): Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be aged 18 to 30 years (inclusive) on the date of application
- Hold a United States Passport
- NOT be accompanied by dependent children
- Have not previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday Maker (417) or Work and Holiday (462) visa.
- Have graduated from high school
- Provide a certified copy of a bank statement showing access to appropriate funds, generally at least AUD$5,000, to support the initial stage of the holiday. This amount will vary depending on the proposed length of stay and the extent of travel.
- Provide evidence of a return or onward ticket or the funds for a fare to leave Australia.
- Meet health and character requirements
For Volunteer in Australia Programs
As a US citizen, you will need an ETA Visitor Visa 976 to volunteer in Australia. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay in Australia.
Interested in working in Australia? Check out our programs:
Au Pair in Australia
Volunteer in Australia
Work & Travel Australia
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China
Participants will apply for an “F” visa to participate in the Teach and Travel cultural exchange program in China. The “F” visa is linked to the program and is not a visa to work in China; therefore, participants will not be able to undertake other teaching positions or work while in China.
Once applicants are accepted to join the Teach & Travel China program and placement is made, they will receive a letter of invitation. The letter will be taken to the local Chinese Embassy with 2 passport photos, passport and visa application. The Embassy usually issues the visa between 3-7 days after their visit.
Interested in working in China? Check out our programs:
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Chile
For Teaching English in Chile
Teaching English program participants will enter the country as a tourist. In most cases there is no need to have a visa but a valid passport is a must. Passports should be valid for at least 8 months from the arrival date.
US citizens must pay a US $131 entry reciprocity fee (cash or credit cards) upon arrival at the international airport in Santiago City. This fee is paid only once and is valid until the passport expires.
During orientation sessions with the Ministry of Education in Chile participants will be provided with instructions on how to apply for a one-year visa. The applicant will be responsible for collecting the required items for the visa application and payment.
There are no fees for US citizens to obtain the 1-year temporary Residence Visa
Please visit the Ministerio del Interior’s web site for the most up-to-date visa fees in order to ensure that no changes are overlooked.
The US Embassy and Consulate in Santiago are located at 2800 Andres Bello Avenue, Las Condes,Santiago (tel. 562-330-3000; fax: 562-330-3710).
Interested in working in Chile? Check out our program:
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France
For Au Pairs
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. Once placed with a host family, you will need to obtain a Long-Stay Au Pair Visa before entering France. The French Ministry of Labor requires au pairs to take language courses while in France. Your host family will enroll you in classes, and obtain a Pre-Enrollment Certificate. (You can decide on hours and level once you arrive in France.)
We will then send you the Pre-Enrollment Certificate and an approved Accord de Placement from your host family. The Accord de Placement is the contract of your engagement as an au pair. Your host family will obtain its approval from the French Ministry of Labor once both parties have agreed on the placement. As soon as you have received these documents from us, you will need to send or bring them to the nearest French consulate or embassy, along with your valid passport, completed visa application form, and a copy of your most recent diploma. It is important that you do not leave the US before obtaining this visa! The fee for the visa is currently 99 Euro (approximately $125).
When you arrive in France, you will need to obtain a residential permit from the local police authorities. Details on how to obtain this permit will be given to you by our international cooperator office in Paris after a 1-week trial period with your host family.
For Teaching English in France
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter France and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Interested in working in France? Check out our programs:
Au Pair in France
Teach English in France
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Germany
For Au Pairs
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter Germany. Upon your arrival, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit that allows you to live and work in Germany as an au pair for a maximum of 12 months. Your host family will assist you with this procedure.
For Teachers
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter Germany and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Interested in working in Germany? Check out our programs:
Au Pair in Germany
Teach English in Germany
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Ghana
You will need to enter Ghana on a tourist visa. You must apply for your visa by mail one month in advance from the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC. For an application and instructions, please visit www.ghanaembassy.org.
Interested in working in Ghana? Check out our programs:
Teach English in Ghana
Volunteer in Ghana
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India
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay in India. You will be required to obtain a tourist visa from the Indian Embassy or Consulate General prior to your departure from the US. The fee for a 6-month multiple-entry tourist visa is currently USD 60 and the processing time is 1-10 business days.
Interested in volunteering in India? Check out our program:
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Italy
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter Italy and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Interested in teaching in Italy? Check out our program:
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Netherlands
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter the Netherlands. However, within 3 working days after your arrival, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit that allows you to live and work in Holland as an au pair for a maximum of 12 months. You must bring your passport and an original, certified copy of your birth certificate with you. You will also be asked to show proof of being unmarried. Your host family will assist you with this procedure and pay for the cost of the permit.
Interested in working in the Netherlands? Check out our program:
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New Zealand
Working Holiday Visa: The Working Holiday visa allows you to work and holiday in New Zealand and is available for 18 - 30 year olds from select countries.
You must:
- Have a passport from the United States of America that‘s valid for at least three months after your planned departure from New Zealand
- Not bring children with you
- Hold a return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket
- Have a minimum of NZ$4,200 (approximately $2,860 USD) available to meet your living costs while you’re there
- Meet New Zealand's health and character requirements (link to http://www.visabureau.com/newzealand/permit-requirement.aspx)
- Hold medical and comprehensive hospitalization insurance for the length of your stay
- Be coming to New Zealand on holiday, with work being a secondary intention for your visit
- Not have been approved a visa or permit under a Working Holiday Scheme before.
Interested in working in New Zealand? Check out our programs:
Au Pair in New Zealand
Work & Travel New Zealand
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Norway
Before you depart you must receive your work permit for Norway. This contract is enclosed in the application package. Once in Norway, your family will help you to register at the local police station in order to receive your final residence permit. This must be done during your first week in Norway. You must also arrange for a personal number at the Registration Office. The Social Security Office must be notified of your presence in Norway so you will be able to receive medical help while in the country. Lastly, you must be registered at the Tax Office.
Interested in working in Norway? Check out our program:
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Peru
U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need visas to enter Peru and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. You will be required to provide evidence of return or onward travel.
Interested in volunteering in Peru? Check out our program:
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Spain
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. US citizens do not need visas to enter Spain and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. For longer placements you must be enrolled in language classes for 20 hours per week during the duration of your stay and obtain a Student Visa before your departure from the US This process can take more than 60 days. You will be provided with additional information when you apply.
Interested in working in Spain? Check out our programs:
Au Pair in Spain
Teach English in Spain
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Turkey
- For summer au pairs (any 3 months between May - September) you can buy a tourist visa at the airport in Turkey upon arrival for $20 cash. The visa is valid for 90 days.
- For stays longer than 3 months, au pairs must be enrolled in part-time or weekend Turkish language courses and will apply for a student visa. Student visas must be obtained from your nearest Turkish Consulate, before you travel to Turkey. The language school provides a Letter of Acceptance which the au pair will take to the consulate along with a Letter of Invitation from the prospective host family as proof of residence and a Student Visa Application Form.
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