Ever since the first time I learned about working holidays, I always knew that it was absolutely something I needed to do. Which meant I spent a lot of time looking into it after the fact.
I mean the concept sounds pretty ideal. Rather than spending tons on short trips between flights, accommodation, food… just the lack of a routine. Instead, you get to move to a new country for a few months to a year (or years sometimes!).
The best part is that you can work there too, which allows you to actually experience living life in another country.
After researching it over the years, it’s been really easy to put off since the whole process is usually super complicated. Between figuring out visas and filling out the applications properly to find a job and housing in a country I have never visited, it becomes a LOT… and don’t even get me started on taxes.
That curiosity is what drove me to be so interested in Global Work & Travel, which is a company that helps with all the stuff that makes it difficult. If you’ve ever seriously looked into working abroad, you might have heard of them before.
Between conversations with people who have done working holidays and my own research, I thought it best to weigh the pros and cons of Global Work & Travel.
I dug into how their program works, what is included, and who it works best for, and now I want to share what I’ve learned.
TLDR: Global Work & Travel at a Glance
Best for: People in their 20s who want help planning a working holiday abroad
Programs available: 100+ work abroad experiences in more than 30 countries
Most popular destinations: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, Japan
Biggest advantage: Guaranteed job matching once your visa is approved
Potential limitation: Working Holiday visas are government-regulated and typically limited to travelers under 35, though other programs are available.
Curious?: Book now for only $1 and talk to a travel professional to learn more.
Discount: My code LGP gives you $100 off your program
Website: www.GlobalWorkandTravel.com
What is Global Work & Travel?
If you’re here, you might already know what Global Work & Travel is… but just in case you don’t, let me explain. They are a company that helps 20 somethings (or just people under 35 in general) to organize experiences abroad.
They are most well known for helping people work and live abroad for an extended period of time.
The company has been helping travelers (over 115,000 as we speak) to work and travel abroad since 2008.
They offer programs like work holidays, finding jobs in general like teaching English or au pairing, as well as volunteering positions, internships, and more. There are over 100 programs in over 30 countries. Some of the most popular experiences are working holidays in places like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, Japan, and South Korea (many of which you can explore directly through their program pages).
Working holidays are a big favorite since they make it possible for travelers to live abroad for up to a year (sometimes two!) while working. These roles are usually entry level or seasonal jobs in industries like hospitality, tourism, farms, resorts, and outdoor recreation to name a few.
Rather than dealing with the daunting process of figuring out visas, finding jobs, housing, etc., Global Work & Travel helps instead. Their teams help you apply for your visa, prepare your resume, job match you, and even help you choose a program in the first place if you need it.
The main reason people tend to choose this route is because it is a lot more structured than figuring it out on your own. Moving abroad is incredible, but it is definitely a complicated thing to figure out on your own, and in my experience, you are bound to make mistakes.
Programs like this aim to avoid those mistakes and make this process easier.
One feature I really like
While researching Global Work & Travel, the first thing I noticed was their customer service/care.
In my experience dealing with visas and other avenues, the biggest issue I had is that there is rarely someone available to answer your questions… but not here.
Global Work & Travel have dedicated team members available to speak all about the program and your specific needs and eligibility for just $1 before you commit to anything.
During that call, they consider where your passport is from, age, and where and why you want to travel. Then, they explain which working holiday visas and other programs you qualify for. Since visa rules are very different depending on nationality and age, this process helps avoid wasted time on programs you don’t qualify for.
Rather than trying to figure it out yourself and spending hours on research before you even start the visa application process, you can ask someone who does this every day. Plus, you won’t have to wait days or weeks for an email back.
When you decide to move forward with the program after that conversation, make sure to use my code LGP to get $100 off your program.
I personally think this step is a huge plus since it avoids a lot of the uncertainty before the bigger commitment.
What you should know before signing up
Like pretty much anything, Global Work & Travel is not the right fit for everyone.
One of the biggest drawbacks comes from the working holiday visa age restrictions. While that isn’t in their control, it is worth noting that most of these visas are designed for younger travelers and are typically only available to people under 30 years old.
There is some flexibility depending on passport, like how Canadian citizens are eligible in New Zealand until 35. This upper age limit is less commonly available since only specific traveler’s nationalities and countries are eligible.
As a result, the program is definitely more geared towards travelers aged 18-30.
However, travelers outside the working holiday age range still have options. Global Work & Travel also offers programs available for all adults regardless of age, such as international TEFL/TESOL teaching placements and volunteer programs in destinations across the world.
These programs involve destinations such as Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America. They are available for anyone over 18, which makes them a great option for people who still want to live abroad but don’t qualify for a working holiday visa.
If working abroad during this time in your life is something you’re thinking about, check out my guide on how to work abroad in your 20s. You’ll find details on visa options and strategies, plus other pros and cons of working abroad in your 20s without experience.
Another thing I want to clarify about Global Work & Travel is that visa fees are not included in the program cost. Travelers still need to pay those directly when they are submitting their visa application. The company can only help you apply, they can’t actually apply for you.
That being said, they do help you with each step of the visa application process such as answering questions as you go. Plus, if you need even more help, you can talk to your own dedicated trip coordinator on a call to walk you through the whole process to make sure you submit everything correctly.
The most important thing to note here, is that it is possible to organize a working holiday independently. Some travelers would rather do it themselves, rather than paying for a program.
But doing it that way often means arriving without a job lined up and spending several weeks job hunting while paying for accommodation and food.
In reality, these travelers usually spend over $2,000 in the first month looking for a job. That is also time where they aren’t earning, so it tends to cost more overall. I will talk about this in more depth in the next section.
That’s a big reason this program is so beneficial for many people, since the support and structure helps avoid these sunk costs.
