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
Austria
China
Chile
Costa Rica
Ecuador
France
Germany
Ghana
India
Italy
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
South Africa
Spain
Thailand
Turkey
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days for tourism but a valid visa is required. Prior to arrival in Argentina, U.S. citizens must pay a $160 reciprocity fee by credit card online through the Provincia Pagos website. Once paid, you must print out the receipt and present it to the Argentine immigration officer at the time of entry. The fee is valid for ten years from the date of payment and multiple entries.
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.
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Austria and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
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Work and Holiday Visa (462 Visa): Applicants must meet the following requirements:
As a U.S. 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.
Au Pair in Australia
Volunteer in Australia
Work & Travel Australia
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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.
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In order to allow adequate visa processing time, applications for Teach English Chile should be submitted at least 2-3 months prior to your desired start date. Participants of our Teach English Chile program will enter the country on a temporary residence visa, for which an FBI background check is necessary. For 2013, the visa processing fee of $470 will be waived by the Ministry of Education and you will not have to pay a reciprocity fee upon entering the country. More information will be provided regarding the specific visa process upon your acceptance into the program.
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 U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Santiago are located at 2800 Andres Bello Avenue, Las Condes,Santiago (tel. 562-330-3000; fax: 562-330-3710).
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Americans do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. However, they must have a current passport valid for at least 90 days from the date of entry into Costa Rica and an airline ticket to exit Costa Rica. When you leave Costa Rica you will have to pay a departure tax of $28 USD.
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy.
Teach English in Ecudaor - Conversation Partner Program
Teach English in Ecuador - Language Tutor Program
Volunteer Summer Camp Assistant in Ecuador
Volunteer Camp Assistant in the Galápagos Islands
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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 Visa before entering France. It is important that you do not leave the U.S. before obtaining this visa! The fee for the visa is currently 99 Euros (approximately $130).
The French Ministry of Labor requires au pairs to take language courses while in France. Your host family will pre-enroll you and provide a certificate for your visa application. You will decide on a schedule and level of coursework after your arrival in France.
Before departing the U.S., you will need to make an appointment to physically appear at your nearest French consulate or embassy to submit your visa application. Your passport will be mailed back to you within 2-3 weeks of your visa appointment.
When you arrive in France, you will have to validate your visa at the French immigration office before the end of the first three months of your program. You must pay a tax to the immigration office, which is currently 58 Euros (approximately $75).
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter France and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Au Pair in France
Teach English in France
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. 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.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Germany and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Au Pair in Germany
Teach English in Germany
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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.
Teach English in Ghana
Volunteer in Ghana
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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.
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Italy and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
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Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. 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.
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Working Holiday Visa: The Working Holiday visa allows you to work and holiday in New Zealand and is available for 18 to 30 year olds from select countries.
You must:
Au Pair in New Zealand
Work & Travel New Zealand
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Working Guest Program
Once you receive your placement, you must apply for a residence permit as a working guest, which will be granted for a maximum of three months. You must begin your application and pay the visa fee online here: https://selfservice.udi.no/ and book an appointment at your nearest Norwegian consulate. More information will be provided once you have received your placement. Interested in working in Norway? Check out our program:
Work in Norway
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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.
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No visa is required for stays under 90 days. Volunteers will receive a letter from our South African cooperating agency, which must be presented at the first point of entry into South Africa, and which will allow for an endorsement to do "voluntary/unpaid work."
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For Teachers
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay. U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter Spain and are permitted to stay for up to 90 days.
Au Pair in Spain
Teach English in Spain
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Once you receive your placement, we will ensure that you receive all necessary documents from the school where you will teach, which will allow you to apply for a non-immigrant B visa (currently approximately $70).
Our cooperating agency in Thailand will assist you with all visa extensions and the applications for your teaching license and work permit.
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