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In view of the enthusiastic response to the Hong Kong/France Working Holiday Scheme (WHS), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has agreed with the French Government to double the 2015 quota under the scheme from 200 to 400.
Welcoming the increase in quota, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said, "Since its commencement in 2013, the WHS arrangement between Hong Kong and France has provided an excellent opportunity for youths from both economies to enrich their global exposure and broaden their horizons by experiencing the local culture through living and working temporarily overseas while holidaymaking. We are encouraged to see that the WHS has been well-received. The HKSAR Government will continue to actively review the operation of the WHS with the French Government, and seek to increase future annual quotas if necessary."
Hong Kong youths aged between 18 and 30 holding a valid HKSAR Passport or a British National (Overseas) Passport and have not benefitted from the Hong Kong/France WHS before may apply for a Working Holiday visa to visit France under the Scheme. Successful applicants may stay in France for up to 12 months, during which they can take up short-term employment of not more than six months with the same employer, and/or engage in a study course(s) of up to six months.
Hong Kong applicants are welcome to visit the website of the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau for further details. French applicants may refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department's website at www.immd.gov.hk.
Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has established bilateral WHS arrangements with 10 economies. Apart from France our partners also include New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, the United Kingdom and Austria. So far, more than 50 000 Hong Kong youths have joined the aforementioned WHSs.
Hong Kong youths are welcome to join WHSs. At the same time, the HKSAR Government also reminds working holidaymakers to get fully prepared before departure from Hong Kong for safety reasons. These include taking out appropriate insurance policies, observing local laws and being cautious in dealing with the terms and conditions laid down in employment contracts in the abovementioned working holiday destinations. Should participants be involved in accidents or serious incidents during their stay in our partner economies, they should immediately approach the local government authorities for assistance. They may also approach the local Chinese Embassy or Consulates, or call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department on (852) 1868.
Ends/Thursday, May 21, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:01
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