If you’ve been waiting with bated breath to visit Australia, the wait is now over. The country has just launched a program that will bring in up to 1,000 Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 to work and holiday there for a year.
Official Launch of the Program:
This initiative is part of the Australian Working Holiday Maker program, which India officially joins on September 16, 2024, as stated by Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Immigration of Australia.
Benefits of the AI ECTA:
The AI ECTA provides Indian citizens with an opportunity to spend time working and studying in Australia. Selected individuals can stay for a full year, with eligible applicants invited to apply for a second-year visa. This landmark step aims to enhance social and economic ties between the two nations.
India Joins the Global Initiative:
India is the 50th country to join this Australian scheme. Starting from October 1, 2024, Australia will issue up to 1,000 multiple-entry visas annually for young Indian citizens. The visa allows participants to stay for up to 12 months, during which they can work, holiday, or engage in short courses of study. Successful participants may also apply for an additional Work and Holiday visa.
Government Support and Optimism:
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed satisfaction with this development following his three-day visit to Australia. “This program is a major commitment under AI-ECTA, which will enhance mobility between our countries and strengthen people-to-people connections,” he stated.
Application Process:
The registration period for the Work and Holiday visa will be from October 1 to October 31, 2024. Interested Indian citizens must register through a ballot process for pre-application. Random selections will occur between October 14, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The application fee is approximately $25, with the visa costing around $650.
High Interest in the Program:
According to Thistlethwaite, this initiative marks another step in consolidating Australian cooperation with India in the economic sector. With over 40,000 applications already submitted, the strong interest in this opportunity is evident.
