Finally, after slaving to complete regional work, the entire 88 days is finished! This means it’s time to work on, and submit a second Working Holiday Visa application.
For this, head back to the Australian Government’s ImmiAccount for another visa application. Since your previous application, the format may have changed, or you may be faced with unusual questions. This is why I’m sharing tips on what to know for a successful application.
After recently working on my second Working Holiday Visa application and having it granted, I had a few questions of my own.
Overall I didn’t find the second Working Holiday Visa application difficult, it’s relatively standard. My application was granted within hours, however it can take weeks or longer.
These tips aren’t to cheat the visa application system, it’s just to clarify some possible misunderstandings that may arise during the second and third Working Holiday Visa application.
Table of Contents
Double Check Employer’s Information
Before starting the second Working Holiday Visa application, it’s important to make sure all the information is correct. Thankfully, filling in personal information isn’t too difficult (ex. birthdate, surname, passport number…) However, something out of your control is other peoples’ information more specifically for this visa, your employer’s information.
Some of the information needed is the ABN, business name, trading name (yes, this may be different from the business name) business address and employers contact, among others. Most of this information should be on your payslip, but otherwise double check with your employer for the information. And, triple check the postal code in an allowed area: 417 postal codes and 462 postal codes.
Each Job is Recorded Separately
Many people on Working Holiday Visas have to go through multiple jobs to complete the 88 days regional work. There’s no problem with this, however it does lead to more work on the visa application. Aside from having employers information ready, make sure to have start and end dates from each job.
Most of the visa application can be saved throughout the process. But, what’s important about filling in each job separately, is there’s a time limit to what can be saved. When adding employers information, the section can’t be saved until all information about the job is complete. This is why it’s good to be prepared.
If you’re still working on your regional days, check out my other post on tips for finding non-exploitive jobs and beware of controversial jobs ads when searching for work.
Record the Total Days and Hours Worked
A key takeaway which may lead to this visa application taking longer than expected is working out the total days and hours worked. Recording or counting up these quantities can add a lot of time, if it hasn’t been done before. Total days worked is different from total days at the job, it’s not counting any rest days or vacation days. It’s just the days you were paid to work. It’s okay if the total days worked doesn’t add up to 88 days. This is where rest days come in!
Next, is total hours worked. This is the total hours from the entire period that’s reported on the visa. For those with clear payslips and regular hours throughout the work period this is really easy to calculate. However, when payslips don’t state the hours or days worked, you must go through and figure it out. Take the time to add up the days and hours worked before starting the application—or at least the work information.
Have Documents Ready for Upload
Previously, on the second Working Holiday Visa application, it wasn’t necessary to upload proof of funds to stay in Australia or payslips from a job. That’s changed. For current applications, it’s mandatory to upload an certain documents.
This includes, a scan of your passport (scan, clear photo, or official copy). Proof of funds to stay in Australia (A$5000) and the cost of a return flight to your home country. This is likely pulled from bank statements. It’s possible to take a screen shot, but if you do make sure your name is visible. This way the government can verify the who’s account has the money available.
And, it’s necessary to add some type of proof of completing the regional work. This could be payslips (yes, all of them), tax information (pulled a personal account on Australian Tax Office’s site), bank statements showing payments or another form.
Triple Check Everything
Same as your first Working Holiday Visa application, these are legal documents and cannot have errors. Making mistakes counts as lying, and could result in losing a visa or even being deported. Many of the questions are easy to go through, but it’s important to read each one carefully. Then, triple check everything—especially the fine print.
If all the information on your application is correct and you successfully worked the 88 days regional work, there’s no reason for your visa not to be approved.
If you haven’t finished your regional days yet, check out tips on how to survive regional work, tips for completing regional work and a few of the best jobs.
