S. Koreans rank second in working visits to Australia

Sydney, Feb. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea was just second to Britain in the number
of foreigners visiting Australia on working holiday visas in the last fiscal
year, the Korean Consulate General in Sydney said on Tuesday.

The Korean Consulate General, citing data provided by the Australian Department
of Immigration and Citizenship, said the number of Koreans that entered Australia
with a working holiday visa reached 39,506, or 21.0 percent of all foreigners who
entered the country with the visa during the 2009 fiscal year between July 2008
and June 2009.
A working holiday visa is a travel permit that allows holders up to one-year of
employment in the country.
During the period, the number of British visitors to the country with the same
visa amounted to 40,182, or 21.4 percent.
Ireland and Germany followed with 22,786 and 20,319 visitors, respectively.
Working holiday visas are offered under mutual agreements between countries that
want to encourage two-way travel and cultural exchanges.
Korea and Australia introduced a working holiday visa program in 1995, which
allows tourists aged between 18 and 30 to live and work for a full year in either
country.
Applicants for such visas must prove that they hold round-trip air tickets and
have an adequate supply of funds to pay for living expenses during their time in
the country.
karenlee@yna.co.kr
(END)

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