WORK, HOLIDAY VISA AVAILABLE FOR YOUNG INDONESIANS, AUSTRALIANS

Jakarta, July 2 (ANTARA) - From July 1, young Indonesians and Australians can apply for new work and holiday visa that allow extended stays in each country supplemented by short-term employment, an official report said.

The new visas allow university-educated Indonesian and Australian travelers aged between 18 and 30 to work and holiday in each other's country for up to 12 months, the Australian embassy announced on its official website here on Thursday.

"I am delighted that this new visa is now available," Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said. "The work and holiday visa program is designed to encourage cultural exchange and closer ties between young people from Australia and Indonesia - a key objective of both governments."

The new visa follows the signature of a work and holiday visa arrangement by Senator Chris Evans, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and the Indonesian Minister for Law and Human Rights, Andi Mattalatta, in Jakarta on 3 March.

In the first year of the program, one hundred young Indonesians and Australians will be eligible to receive work and holiday visas.

The program requires Indonesian applicants to have a letter of support from the Director-General for Immigration, to either hold a university degree or have completed two years of a university degree and to speak functional English. Applicants must also meet health requirements. Similar criteria apply to young Australians wanting to take up the opportunity to work and study in Indonesia.

Work and holiday visa holders may work for up to six months with any one employer and study or train for up to four months. ***