Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-06-12
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Young adventurers are trading routines for fun abroad, working to fund their trips. But watch out for risks like illnesses or injuries—grab the right insurance for peace of mind. What should you pay attention to when selecting insurance?
14 Countries for Working Holidays from Hong Kong
Here are the 14 countries that have working holiday bilateral agreements with Hong Kong:
|
New Zealand |
Australia |
|
Canada |
South Korea |
|
Ireland |
Austria |
|
France |
Hungary |
|
Germany |
Netherlands |
|
United Kingdom |
Sweden |
|
Japan |
Italy |
6 Working Holiday Application Conditions
Each country has different application conditions for working holiday visas, but generally, you must meet the following:
- Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application
- Cannot bring any dependents during the trip
- Must normally reside in Hong Kong and hold a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport
- The primary purpose of the visit must be tourism
- Must hold a return ticket or have sufficient funds to purchase one
- Must provide financial proof showing that personal finances can support initial living expenses in the country
Why You Need Working Holiday Insurance
You Need Protection When Unexpected Situations Arise
During your travels, working holiday participants might face unexpected situations, such as getting injured at work or while sightseeing, or contracting an infectious disease. Plus, with varying levels of safety and local customs around the world, the risk of harm from illegal activities can’t be ignored.
Back in 2015, there was a report about a Hong Kong woman on a working holiday in Western Australia who drowned at the beach during a tour. Sadly, stories of assaults, murders, or work-related deaths abroad aren’t uncommon.
That’s where working holiday insurance comes in—it’s your safety net for various risks you might encounter overseas.
Agreement Countries Require Participants to Buy Overseas Medical and Personal Liability Insurance
To keep travelers safe, aside from Australia, the other 13 agreement countries mentioned require working holiday participants to purchase insurance, such as Overseas Medical Insurance and personal liability insurance. Even the Hong Kong Labour Department strongly encourages those heading to Australia for a working holiday to get suitable medical, hospitalization, and liability coverage.
Can You Use Travel Insurance Instead of Working Holiday Insurance?
No, you can’t, because typical Travel Insurance only covers up to 60 to 90 days, and its scope doesn’t fully meet the real needs of working holiday participants (for example, expenses from work-related accidents aren’t covered). That’s why many insurance companies have rolled out specific products tailored for working holidays.
3 Major Coverage for Working Holiday Insurance
1. Overseas Medical Coverage
Covers the insured’s medical expenses arising from illness and accidental injury during travel, generally including overseas outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up medical fees after returning to Hong Kong (be sure to check the time limits). Coverage amounts typically range from HK$200,000 to HK$1,200,000.
Beyond basic medical coverage, policyholders should verify if the policy includes emergency assistance services , such as providing medical guidance, emergency medical transport, transfer back to Hong Kong after treatment, and repatriation of remains for the insured in case of an urgent accident.
This coverage is usually on an actual cost basis and may have no upper limit.
2. Personal Accident Coverage
Covers the insured for death, permanent disability, or severe Burn due to an accident during travel within a specific period (usually 90 days to 12 months).
Some plans also cover accidents while using public transport, vehicles arranged by travel agencies, private vehicles, or while driving a private vehicle yourself, as well as other accidents. Depending on the plan, coverage amounts range from HK$50,000 to HK$1,500,000.
3. Personal Liability Coverage
Covers the insured’s legal liability for causing bodily injury to others or damage to their property during travel, but excludes loss of property belonging to the insured or their employer; it also excludes liability from owning or using vehicles, aircraft, boats, or animals. Coverage amounts generally range from HK$500,000 to HK$2,000,000.
Compare 5 Working Holiday Insurances
|
Insurance Company |
Company P |
Company A |
Company Z |
Company F |
Company S |
|
Coverage Period |
Six months / One year |
One year |
Six months / One year / Two years |
One year |
One year |
|
Overseas Medical Coverage Limit (HK$) |
1,200,000 |
Basic Plan: Not applicable Superior Plan: 780,000 |
Simple Plan: 250,000 Comprehensive Plan: 750,000 |
Plan A: 1,000,000 Plan B: 500,000 |
Plan A: 200,000 Plan B: 500,000 Plan C: 1,000,000 |
|
Overseas Outpatient Coverage Limit (HK$) |
20,000 (1,000 per day) |
Not applicable |
Simple Plan: 500 per day (up to 10 visits) Comprehensive Plan: 800 per day (up to 20 visits) |
Calculated together with overseas medical coverage limit; no specified per-visit limit |
Plan A: Not applicable Plans B and C: Calculated together with overseas medical coverage limit; no specified per-visit limit |
|
Emergency Medical Transport Coverage Limit (HK$) |
No limit |
Basic Plan: 780,000 Superior Plan: 1,950,000 |
Actual expenses |
No limit |
No limit |
|
Personal Liability Coverage Limit (HK$) |
1,500,000 |
Basic/Superior Plan: 1,950,000 |
Simple Plan: 1,000,000 Comprehensive Plan: 2,000,000 |
Plan A: 1,500,000 Plan B: 750,000 |
Plan A: 500,000 Plan B: 1,000,000 Plan C: 1,500,000 |
|
Personal Accident Coverage Limit (HK$) |
Personal Accident: 1,200,000 Severe Burn: 500,000 |
Accident on Transport Basic/Superior Plan: 780,000 Other Accidents Basic/Superior Plan: 390,000 |
Accident on Transport Simple Plan: 500,000 Comprehensive Plan: 1,500,000 Other Accidents Simple Plan: 250,000 Comprehensive Plan: 750,000 |
Personal Accident Plan A: 600,000 Plan B: 300,000 Severe Burn Plan A: 100,000 Plan B: 50,000 |
Personal Accident Plan A: 200,000 Plan B: 300,000 Plan C: 600,000 Severe Burn Plan A: 50,000 Plan B: 100,000 Plan C: 100,000 |
|
Deductible |
No deductibles for any coverage |
Policy documents do not list deductible information |
Policy documents do not list deductible information |
No additional deductibles for all coverage |
No deductible |
|
Premium (HK$) |
One year $4,000 Six months $2,400 |
Basic Plan: $1,857 Superior Plan: $5,850 |
Six months Simple Plan: $2,280 Comprehensive Plan: $3,480 One year Simple Plan: $3,780 Comprehensive Plan: $5,680 Two years Simple Plan: $7,480 Comprehensive Plan: $11,280 |
Plan A: $3,500 Plan B: $4,500 |
Plan A: $1,800 Plan B: $3,800 Plan C: $5,600 |
|
Excluded Occupations |
Pilots or crew in any aerial transport work, tour guides, or group leaders |
Sea, land, or air services or armed operations; Traveling or piloting aircraft as airline cabin crew; Participating in offshore activities such as commercial diving, oil field drilling, mining, aerial photography, or handling explosives; Employed as drivers of any vehicle, animal trainers, divers, jockeys, war correspondents, security guards, or stunt performers; Working in casinos, dance halls, construction sites, or nightclubs |
Offshore activities such as commercial diving, oil field drilling, mining, or aerial photography, handling explosives, actors, construction workers in high-altitude or underground work, or engaging in sea, land, or air services or armed operations; Serving as crew or operators of any aerial vehicle |
Serving as crew or operators of any aerial vehicle; Offshore activities such as commercial diving, oil field drilling, mining, or aerial photography, handling explosives, construction workers, or military service |
Serving as crew or operators of any aerial vehicle; Sea, land, or air military services or operations; Armed forces service; offshore activities such as commercial diving, oil drilling platforms, mining, handling explosives; Or working as high-altitude personnel, animal trainers, jockeys, armed security, stunt performers, construction workers, fishermen, or sailors |
|
Extreme Sports Covered? |
Coverage includes various sports and activities; Excludes professional sports, formal competitions, and racing |
Big wave surfing, whitewater kayaking, cliff jumping, equestrian jumping, extreme marathons, and stunt performances are defined as extreme sports, along with racing, competitions, and professional sports, all excluded |
Coverage includes skydiving, bungee jumping, mountain biking, skiing, diving, and water skiing; Excludes losses from hiking above 5,000 meters or diving below 40 meters |
Excludes racing, competitions, professional sports, and paid sports; Rope climbing, hiking above 5,000 meters, or diving below 30 meters are also excluded |
Excludes racing, professional sports, and paid sports; Coverage includes amateur sports like hot air ballooning, diving, and skiing, with no height or depth limits |
Should You Buy VHIS Before Your Working Holiday?
When you head out for your Working Holiday, you’ll definitely need to get travel insurance, but did you know that buying comprehensive VHIS in Hong Kong first (for example, Bowtie Pink VHIS ), can provide extra protection, making your trip safer and more worry-free? Here are 3 reasons:
1. VHIS Covers Worldwide
VHIS coverage extends globally, so even if you’re on a Working Holiday abroad, your policy won’t go to waste. If you unfortunately need hospitalization overseas, you’ll still be covered; plus, Bowtie Pink VHIS offers generous coverage limits, serving as a strong backup to your travel insurance.
2. Protection Continues After Returning to Hong Kong
While some travel insurance policies cover follow-up consultations after you return home, they often have time limits—for instance, only within 30 days. If you experience complications from an illness or accident during your Working Holiday and need surgery or hospitalization back in Hong Kong, Bowtie Pink VHIS can step in to help.
3. Health Issues Can Make Future Insurance Harder to Get
Even a minor accident or illness abroad might be seen by insurers as a pre-existing condition, making it tougher to get health insurance later—with potential premium hikes or even denials. That’s why it’s smart to apply for coverage while you’re healthy and before your Working Holiday.
Calculate Your Premium!
Working Holiday Insurance FAQs
1. When should you apply for insurance—before or after getting the visa?
Most countries with Working Holiday agreements with Hong Kong require a valid insurance certificate when applying for a visa, so it’s recommended to get insured before submitting your application.
However, some insurers specify that you need a valid Working Holiday visa to apply. If you’re planning a trip, check with the insurance company for your destination first.
2. If your visa application is denied after buying insurance, will you lose the premium? How can you handle it?
If your Working Holiday visa is denied, not all insurers will refund the premium, so check with them beforehand. Even if they do refund, there might be an admin fee of around HK$300 to 400.
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