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How to apply for the Work and Holiday (462) visa from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and more

If you hold a passport from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador or Spain, the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa is your way into living, working and travelling around Australia for up to 12 months — with the option to extend. Here's how it works and what you'll need.

8 min readThe Luma team
A young Latin American traveller planning their Australia trip

Figures change. Always check the source.

Tax rates, visa fees, and day counts move year to year. When we quote them, we link the official source — treat that as the final authority.

What is the 462 visa?

The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) is a temporary visa built around cultural exchange between Australia and a list of countries, including several in Latin America. It lets you:

  • Live in Australia for up to 12 months from arrival.
  • Work full-time (with some per-employer limits).
  • Study for up to 4 months.
  • Enter and leave the country as many times as you like while it's valid.
  • Extend to a second and even third year, if you complete specified work.

Note: there's a similar visa, the Working Holiday (subclass 417), for a different list of countries (mostly European and English-speaking). If you hold a Latin American passport, the 462 is the one for you.

Who can apply?

The Spanish-speaking countries currently able to access the 462 include Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador and Spain. The list can change over time, so confirm your country is still eligible on the Home Affairs website.

The main requirements

These are the requirements usually asked for. All are mandatory, and failing even one can mean a refusal, so check them carefully:

  • Age: be 18 to 30 inclusive at the time you apply. (You can apply at 30 and enter Australia at 31 if it's already granted.)
  • Passport: valid and from an eligible country. At least 6 months' validity is recommended.
  • Be outside Australia when you apply.
  • Education: typically a tertiary or university qualification, or a set number of years of higher study. The exact requirement varies by country.
  • Functional English: many 462 countries must demonstrate functional English. How you prove it has its own nuances — we cover it in a separate guide.
  • Sufficient funds: show access to around AUD 5,000 to support yourself initially, plus enough for a departure flight.
  • Health and character: meet the health and character (criminal record) requirements.
  • No dependent children: you can't travel with dependent children on this visa.

Because the education and English requirements vary by nationality, don't assume what a friend from another country was asked for applies to you. Verify the specific requirements for your passport.

Caps and dates: key for Latin American applicants

Unlike the 417, the 462 has limited annual caps for several countries. When they fill, you have to wait until applications reopen, usually on 1 July each year.

Caps and opening dates change from year to year, so this is exactly the kind of detail to verify at the official source before planning anything. Don't commit to a number you read on a blog — check it on Home Affairs.

How the process works, in general

The application is 100% online through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs portal. Broadly:

  1. Create your ImmiAccount and confirm your email.
  2. Complete the 462 visa form and upload your documents (passport, proof of study, English, funds, etc.).
  3. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a translation, as directed by Home Affairs for your case.
  4. Pay the visa fee online.
  5. Wait for the decision. Don't buy flights or arrange travel until your visa is granted in writing.

The form isn't difficult, but it can take a couple of hours to complete. You can save it and come back to it.

A tip before you start

Before you begin, check that applications are open for your country, and have all your documentation ready and scanned in good quality. Being organised from the start is the difference between a calm application and a race against the clock when caps are about to fill.

The bottom line

The 462 is a huge opportunity for Latin American travellers, but it has more requirements and limited caps compared with other visas. Get your requirements sorted early, watch the opening dates, and always verify the information on Home Affairs, which is the final authority on your application.

Official sources