Another country has been added to the Work and Holiday visa program (sc462) which will enable up to 200 young Australians and 200 young Slovaks to experience each other's culture through the exchange programme.

Young Aussies and Slovaks can now explore and work in each other's countries under a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement announced recently by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash.

Minister Bishop, who met and signed the agreement with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák during his three-day visit, said the new arrangement demonstrated the constructive and positive relationship between our two countries.

"This agreement will provide the opportunity for a culturally rich experience for the young adults of Australia and Slovakia and strengthen our already warm people-to-people links," Minister Bishop said.

"The new arrangement will allow up to 200 young people from both countries to enjoy a holiday in each other's country each year, during which they may undertake short term work and study," Minister Cash said adding,"Both countries will be working closely over the coming months to implement these changes and to complete all necessary legal and administrative processes to bring this visa into effect."

The date the change to the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa comes into effect will be made available on the Department's website atwww.immi.gov.au.

Similar agreements already exist with Israel, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Poland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, Uruguay and Vietnam.

The Work and Holiday visa differs from a Working Holiday visa as it requires applicants to have the support of their government, hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak functional English.

The programs grew by close to 16% last year with the grant of over 258,000 visas. DIBP is reportedly looking to expand the program further saying that the program significantly benefits the economy in general and is of particular importance to the hospitality and tourism sectors. DIBP is currently in the process of negotiating new and more liberalised program with 12 new partner countries including Mexico, Hungary, San Marino, the Czech Republic, Latvia,  and Andorra.

The programs have been a popular stepping stone to the 457 visa and subsequently a permanent residence visa. Many skilled visa holders on this program with carefully prepared and planned migration pathways have successfully made the transition.