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Work and Holiday Visa
MalaysiaMalaysia•Asia
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Work and Holiday Visa

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

MYR RM 90

Stay Duration

1 year

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Work and travel in Malaysia for 12 months with right to work up to 6 months per employer, available to Australian citizens aged 18-30.

The Work and Holiday Visa is a bilateral cultural exchange program for young adults aged 18–30 from Australia. It allows participants to travel and work temporarily, prioritizing holiday experience with work being incidental. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent tertiary qualifications and possess RM 3,000 in savings and valid health insurance.

The visa grants 12 months with temporary work authorization limited to 6 months per employer; prohibited roles include professional qualifications, entertainment, spa, and front-office positions. The fee is RM 90. No permanent residence pathway exists and the visa is non-renewable.

This visa is ideal for Australian gap-year travelers and recent graduates seeking cultural immersion and temporary work experience.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Eligible Nationalities (1)

AustraliaAustralia

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of a partner country (specifically Australia or New Zealand as per bilateral agreements).

Aged between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the time of application.

Must hold tertiary qualifications or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university studies.

Must possess a valid passport for the entire duration of the stay.

Must have sufficient funds for initial upkeep and a return ticket (or funds to purchase one).

Must be of good character (no criminal record).

Must be in good health (medical certificate may be required).

Must not be accompanied by dependent children.

Must be a first-time participant in the Work and Holiday programme.

Must intend primarily to holiday, with work being incidental to the stay.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Savings

3,000 MYR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed application form (e.g., IM.12 Form).

Valid passport.

Recent passport-sized photographs.

Proof of tertiary qualifications or university transcripts.

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements).

Return travel ticket or proof of funds to purchase one.

Medical certificate from a qualified doctor.

Police clearance certificate or Letter of Good Conduct.

Travel and health insurance (strongly recommended).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • 12-month working holiday visa ideal for young Australian adults seeking cultural exchange
  • Affordable visa cost at just RM 90 for the full year of stay
  • Flexible work authorization allows up to 6 months employment to fund travel
  • Dual activity approach: combine holiday travel with incidental work and study (up to 4 months)
  • No permanent job offer required; suitable for gap year or career break experiences
  • Access to broader international exposure while maintaining flexible employment status
  • Low barriers to entry for young professionals aged 18-30 with tertiary qualification

Worth Knowing

  • Work restricted to maximum 6 months per employer; requires job switching for longer periods
  • Prohibited from professional qualification roles, entertainment, spa, and front-office positions
  • Study or training limited to 4 months during 12-month stay, constraining skill development
  • Visa is non-renewable; one 12-month stay only per applicant lifetime
  • Only Australian nationals qualifying; New Zealand citizens no longer included
  • Not a pathway to permanent residency; purely temporary status for young adults

Application Process

1

Check qualification

Verify age 18-30 and Australian/NZ citizenship

2

Obtain application form

Get form from Malaysian embassy/high commission

3

Prepare documents

Gather passport, photos, and supporting documents

4

Submit application

Apply at Malaysian High Commission in Canberra or Consulate in Perth

5

Processing

Wait for visa decision

6

Receive visa

Work and Holiday visa issued

Application Forms

Work and Holiday Visa Application—

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