Since last year, over 98,000 individuals from India have submitted their applications for the Australian Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa, which was initially made available to 1,000 Indian citizens.
Nevertheless, data indicates that up until now, only 988 of those visas have been granted, as reported by VisaGuide.World.
This is the first instance where Indian nationals can live, work, and experience Australia through the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462), commonly referred to as the backpacker visa.
Visa System for Pre-Application Ballot
On October 1, 2024, Australia's government rolled out a pre-ballot visa system aimed at applicants from China, Vietnam, and India.
According to a recent statement from the Administration of Immigration and Citizenship Programs, the Department of Home Affairs has gathered a total of 139,633 valid entries from China, India, and Vietnam, with 98,019 of these from Indian applicants alone.
Exceptional Interest from Indian Nationals
Migration consultant Vaibhav Patel shared with SBS Hindi that the enthusiasm from young Indians for this opportunity has been exceptional.
Patel remarked that since the visa became accessible to Indian nationals for the first time last year, there has been a notable wave of excitement in India.
This type of visa for Australia was predominantly available to European countries in the past, but now India has earned its place on that list due to the free trade agreement. This signifies that the relationship between the two nations is certainly thriving.
To take advantage of this program, applicants need to possess an Indian passport, display proficiency in English, fulfill certain educational criteria, and be able to show at least $5,000 in savings.
These requirements are fairly manageable for youthful professionals or graduates seeking international exposure.
The Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) in Australia is specially designated for young adults aged 18 to 30 who aspire to explore Australia while undertaking temporary jobs to financially support themselves.
To be eligible for this initiative, applications must be lodged from outside the country, and no family members may be included as secondary applicants. Currently, the visa fee stands at $650.
The Work and Holiday visa scheme has progressively attracted more international travelers, with a count of 206,187 holders of the visa by the end of 2024, reflecting a significant rise from the 170,437 recorded in 2023.
Fonte: Visa Guide World
