Delegates are silhouetted in the venue of a conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 11. [AP/YONHAP]
Canada and Korea have agreed to accept an additional 2,000 applications in 2023 for their annual working holiday program, giving a total of 8,500 young Koreans and Canadians the chance to work and study in their respective countries while throughout the year.
“The Korean and Canadian governments have decided to expand the program, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and to support exchanges between young adults,” Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Friday’s announcement was the second expansion of the program this year. The two countries had already expanded the program from its initial quota of 4,000 to 6,500 in February.
Working holiday programs allow young people to visit a country for a longer period of time than the average tourist and also to take up part-time employment during their stay. Korea and Canada have had this agreement since 1996.
The age limit, currently between 18 and 30, will also be increased to 35 from 2024.
Starting next year, the two governments will also launch additional exchange programs, aimed at helping some 12,000 young adults from both countries visit each other’s countries, find internships or part-time experiences , as well as to participate in other programs.
Further information can be found at whic.mofa.go.kr.
BY ESTHER CHUNG [[email protected]]
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