MANILA -- The Philippines and Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a “Work and Holiday” visa arrangement, allowing nationals of both countries to seek employment while on a holiday“ to supplement the cost of their stay.

In a seven-page MOU signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu, both countries agreed to issue multiple entry visa allowing its citizens to work during their stay for an non-extendable period of not over one year.

The MOU was signed during the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malacañang on September 8, Friday.

It is one of the MOUs signed during Albanese’s visit to the Philippines.

Under the MOU, both countries will grant eligible participants from both countries “Work and Holiday” visa which will permit them to stay and work in the host country for a period of 12 months.

“The Participants mutually decide to establish a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa arrangement, to allow nationals of both Participants to stay in the territory of the other Participant for the primary purpose of a holiday, during which they may undertake work to supplement the cost of their stay,” the MOU stated.

The work and holiday visa arrangement is open to Filipino and Australian nationals who are 18 to 31 years old at the time of the application and who are graduates of tertiary education or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study or post-secondary education. They must meet health, character and national security requirements and have medical and health insurance for the duration of their stay.

The 12-month period will commence from the date of first entry and eligible nationals may leave and re-enter the territory of the host Participant using the same visa.

All nationals under the arrangement will be required to comply with the respective laws and regulations of the host country during their stay.

“Each participant may deny any particular application for a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa it receives, in accordance with its domestic laws and regulations,” the MOU stated referring to the Philippines and Australia as participants.

“Nationals of one participant who have been granted a ‘Work and Holiday’ visa under this Memorandum of Understanding may be denied entry or removed from the territory of the other participant in accordance with the laws and regulations of that participant,” it added.

Applicants must pay any fees associated with the visa application.

It also stated that Work and Holiday visa holders will only be allowed to work during their visit subject to the employment condition.

“Work and Holiday visa holders who work during their visit pursuant to this arrangement will be covered by the same diplomatic labor laws of the host government as local workers, subject to the employment conditions,” the MOU stated.

The MOU will take effect on a date mutually determined by both parties and will be valid for an indefinite period of time unless terminated by written notice through diplomatic channels. (PND)