Can US legal residents get a working holiday visa? How long does it take?

Question

I plan on traveling to Australia in Jan of 09, but I need to have a Working Holiday Visa in order to do so. However, you must be 18 to apply for a visa and I will not turn 18 until November of this year. Will it be possible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (as a legal resident, not a citizen) and be granted a visa before January of 09?

Answer 1

as you are not a US citizen you may not qualify for a working holiday visa, it all depends on what country issued your current passport

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-...

Answer 2

As you say, you cannot apply until you are 18.

If you apply online on your 18th Birthday, but get EVERYTHING ready beforehand, the question comes down to how long the application will take.

You will be wanting the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462).  I suggest you call the Dept of Immigration, and ask if the time frame is possible or not.

PS: This does not give you residency, just visiting, work and study rights for the time allowed.

Answer 3

Your time frame should work out OK. When working holiday applications from US passport holders are complete and in order, they usually take only a week or so. If you want to be completely sure, contact the Australian Embassy in the US and ask.

http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas...

Note that you must be a US passport holder for a US WH visa. If you do not hold a US passport, the situation may be very different from what I've stated in my answer. If that's the case, definitely contact our Embassy.