Singapore Work Holiday Programme: who qualifies

This page is for undergraduates and graduates of universities in ten specific countries and regions who are considering a short working stay in Singapore. The data shows the main eligibility rules for the Work Holiday Programme. You must be aged 18 to 25 when you apply. If you are still an undergraduate, you must have been a full-time resident student for at least 3 months before applying.

The pass is valid for 6 months and is not renewable. The total capacity for this programme is limited to 2,000 pass holders at any one time. The pass costs S$175 when issued. If you need a Multiple Journey Visa, that costs an additional S$30. Family members cannot get passes. Processing time is within 4 weeks for most cases.

Program: Work Holiday Programme
Passports listed: 10
Age ranges: 18 to 25

General rules

Aged 18 to 25 when applying; an undergraduate or graduate of a government-recognised university in one of the ten listed countries or regions. Undergraduates must have been a resident full-time student there for at least 3 months before applying.
6 months; not renewable.
Capacity of 2,000 pass holders at any one time.
No passes for family members.
S$175 per pass when issued, plus S$30 for a Multiple Journey Visa if applicable.
Within 4 weeks for most cases (MOM also says around 3 weeks).
After holding a Work Holiday Pass, you can reapply only 12 months after the day you last held it.
Regulated professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture or law require local registration to practise.

Passports accepted: Work Holiday Programme

10 passports, checked October 21, 2026
Passport	Age	Stay	Places / status
Australia	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
France	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
Germany	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
Hong Kong	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
Japan	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
Netherlands	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
New Zealand	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
Switzerland	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
United Kingdom	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country
United States	18 to 25	6 months	2,000 pass holders at any one time (all countries); Based on university country

What stands out

Unlike many similar programmes, Singapore’s Work Holiday Programme has a specific educational requirement. You must be an undergraduate or a graduate of a government-recognised university in one of the ten listed countries or regions. For undergraduates, there is an extra condition: you must have been a resident full-time student for at least 3 months before applying.

The programme has a cap of 2,000 pass holders at any one time. Also, if you have held a Work Holiday Pass before, you can only reapply 12 months after the day you last held it.

How to apply, step by step

Confirm your university is in one of the ten listed countries or regions and that you are 18 to 25.
Apply online no more than 3 months before you plan to travel.
After in-principle approval, get the pass issued in Singapore within 3 months and pay S$175.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official government pages:

Last checked October 21, 2026 (Oct 2026). Rules, fees and quotas can change after this date.