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Hong Kong–Italy Working Holiday Agreement

ItalyYouth mobility

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which nationalities and age range can participate?

The signed2019 agreement provides the following terms for the Italy-bound route; current application availability remains unconfirmed because the two official administrators do not present a reconciled status. Eligible participants are HKSAR permanent residents with a valid HKSAR passport, or another travel document mutually agreed for the scheme, aged18–30 inclusive on the application date. The reciprocal Italian-national route is for entry to Hong Kong.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Current availability remains unconfirmed: Italian Labour Ministry lists Hong Kong as operational, but the current Hong Kong scheme administrator lists13partners without Italy. Omission alone does not prove non-operation; the2019 Italian notice is historical, not a current negative. No later commencement notification or reconciliation was found. The signed terms below are conditional, not an assertion that applications are open.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (iii) Be between the ages of 18 and 30 inclusive on the date that the application is submitted pursuant to Article 2(a)(i); --- (iv) Be a citizen of Italy holding a valid Italian passport, or a permanent resident of the HKSAR holding a valid HKSAR passport or other valid travel documents as may be mutually agreed for the purpose of the working holiday scheme;
  • working-holiday-ministry
    A oggi, sono operativi Accordi vacanze-lavoro con in seguenti Paesi: Nuova Zelanda , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Corea del Sud e Giappone (questi ultimi due Accordi, stipulati, rispettivamente nel 2012 e nel 2025 ed elevati al rango di Trattato internazionale, derogano alla normativa regolamentare e consentono ai cittadini sudcoreani e giapponesi di svolgere attività lavorativa in Italia per un periodo di sei mesi, anche con lo stesso datore di lavoro).
  • hongkong-current-whs
    To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has established Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand , Australia , Ireland , Germany , Japan , Canada , Korea , France , the United Kingdom , Austria , Hungary , Sweden and the Netherlands . Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner economies, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the later written notification by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

What combination of travel, work, study or training does the programme permit?

The signed2019 agreement provides the following terms for the Italy-bound route; current application availability remains unconfirmed because the two official administrators do not present a reconciled status. The main purpose is an extended holiday and cultural exchange; employment and study are incidental. In Italy, permanent employment is prohibited; work is limited to three months with the same employer and six months overall, and study/educational courses to six months overall.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Current availability remains unconfirmed: Italian Labour Ministry lists Hong Kong as operational, but the current Hong Kong scheme administrator lists13partners without Italy. Omission alone does not prove non-operation; the2019 Italian notice is historical, not a current negative. No later commencement notification or reconciliation was found. The signed terms below are conditional, not an assertion that applications are open.
  • hongkong-agreement
    The Parties shall, in accordance with this Agreement, simplify and facilitate the administrative procedures applicable under the Working Holiday Scheme when persons from Italy and the HKSAR, qualified under this Agreement, intend to enter and remain in the jurisdiction of the other Party, primarily to spend a holiday there for an extended period with the possibility of taking up employment and study as an incidental aspect of their holiday so as to improve their knowledge of the other Party’s language(s), culture and society.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (i) In the case of Italy, qualified residents of the HKSAR who are benefiting from the application of this Agreement shall not be permitted to engage in permanent employment and/or engage in any type of employment or work activity for more than three (3) months with the same employer and up to a total amount of six (6) months as provided by the Italian Law (art. 40, paragraph 20 of Presidential Decree 394/1999 and subsequent amendments). They may also study or participate in educational courses in Italy for up to a total of six (6) months during their authorized period of stay.
  • working-holiday-ministry
    A oggi, sono operativi Accordi vacanze-lavoro con in seguenti Paesi: Nuova Zelanda , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Corea del Sud e Giappone (questi ultimi due Accordi, stipulati, rispettivamente nel 2012 e nel 2025 ed elevati al rango di Trattato internazionale, derogano alla normativa regolamentare e consentono ai cittadini sudcoreani e giapponesi di svolgere attività lavorativa in Italia per un periodo di sei mesi, anche con lo stesso datore di lavoro).
  • hongkong-current-whs
    To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has established Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand , Australia , Ireland , Germany , Japan , Canada , Korea , France , the United Kingdom , Austria , Hungary , Sweden and the Netherlands . Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner economies, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the later written notification by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

What are the defining limitations: quota, ballot, previous participation, employer limits, study limits or equivalent?

The signed2019 agreement provides the following terms for the Italy-bound route; current application availability remains unconfirmed because the two official administrators do not present a reconciled status. Participation is once only and dependants cannot accompany the participant. In Italy, permanent employment is prohibited; work is limited to three months with the same employer and six months in total, and study to six months. The signed agreement sets500participants per party per year, amendable by mutual written notes; this is the treaty quota, not a confirmed current allocation.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Current availability remains unconfirmed: Italian Labour Ministry lists Hong Kong as operational, but the current Hong Kong scheme administrator lists13partners without Italy. Omission alone does not prove non-operation; the2019 Italian notice is historical, not a current negative. No later commencement notification or reconciliation was found. The signed terms below are conditional, not an assertion that applications are open.
  • Any subsequent quota amendment or current allocation is not established.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (vi) Not be accompanied by dependant(s);
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) The Parties shall permit qualified persons to benefit from the application of this Agreement only once. The duration of the authorised period of stay may not exceed twelve (12) months.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (i) In the case of Italy, qualified residents of the HKSAR who are benefiting from the application of this Agreement shall not be permitted to engage in permanent employment and/or engage in any type of employment or work activity for more than three (3) months with the same employer and up to a total amount of six (6) months as provided by the Italian Law (art. 40, paragraph 20 of Presidential Decree 394/1999 and subsequent amendments). They may also study or participate in educational courses in Italy for up to a total of six (6) months during their authorized period of stay.
  • hongkong-agreement
    The Parties set the number of persons per year, based on reciprocity, who shall be permitted to benefit from the application of this Agreement at 500 for each Party. Either Party may alter the number of such persons per year with the written consent of the other Party, through exchange of Notes.
  • working-holiday-ministry
    A oggi, sono operativi Accordi vacanze-lavoro con in seguenti Paesi: Nuova Zelanda , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Corea del Sud e Giappone (questi ultimi due Accordi, stipulati, rispettivamente nel 2012 e nel 2025 ed elevati al rango di Trattato internazionale, derogano alla normativa regolamentare e consentono ai cittadini sudcoreani e giapponesi di svolgere attività lavorativa in Italia per un periodo di sei mesi, anche con lo stesso datore di lavoro).
  • hongkong-current-whs
    To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has established Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand , Australia , Ireland , Germany , Japan , Canada , Korea , France , the United Kingdom , Austria , Hungary , Sweden and the Netherlands . Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner economies, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the later written notification by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

What funds, insurance, onward travel or similar preparation is particularly important?

The signed2019 agreement provides the following terms for the Italy-bound route; current application availability remains unconfirmed because the two official administrators do not present a reconciled status. A departure ticket or sufficient funds to buy one and proof of funds for the authorised stay are required. A minimum may be specified by exchange of notes, but no current numeric threshold is established here. Before entry, insurance must be purchased for the whole authorised stay, covering medical and health care, hospitalisation, repatriation and liability.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Current availability remains unconfirmed: Italian Labour Ministry lists Hong Kong as operational, but the current Hong Kong scheme administrator lists13partners without Italy. Omission alone does not prove non-operation; the2019 Italian notice is historical, not a current negative. No later commencement notification or reconciliation was found. The signed terms below are conditional, not an assertion that applications are open.
  • A current numerical maintenance threshold, or notes setting it, was not demonstrated.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (v) Be in possession of a departure ticket or sufficient financial resources to purchase such a ticket and have proof of the financial resources necessary to provide for their needs during their authorised period of stay and the minimum amount of such financial resources required may be specified by exchange of Notes;
  • hongkong-agreement
    (viii) Accept to purchase, prior to entering the jurisdiction of the other Party, insurance for medical and health care, including hospitalisation, repatriation and liability, for their entire authorised period of stay;
  • working-holiday-ministry
    A oggi, sono operativi Accordi vacanze-lavoro con in seguenti Paesi: Nuova Zelanda , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Corea del Sud e Giappone (questi ultimi due Accordi, stipulati, rispettivamente nel 2012 e nel 2025 ed elevati al rango di Trattato internazionale, derogano alla normativa regolamentare e consentono ai cittadini sudcoreani e giapponesi di svolgere attività lavorativa in Italia per un periodo di sei mesi, anche con lo stesso datore di lavoro).
  • hongkong-current-whs
    To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has established Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand , Australia , Ireland , Germany , Japan , Canada , Korea , France , the United Kingdom , Austria , Hungary , Sweden and the Netherlands . Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner economies, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the later written notification by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

How long can the person stay, can the programme be extended or repeated, and what happens when it ends?

The signed2019 agreement provides the following terms for the Italy-bound route; current application availability remains unconfirmed because the two official administrators do not present a reconciled status. Permission to remain in Italy is for at most12months from first entry, with multiple re-entry; participation is once only. The participant must apply for the residence permit within8days of arrival. That permit is neither extendible nor convertible to another permit and does not give a right to family reunification.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Current availability remains unconfirmed: Italian Labour Ministry lists Hong Kong as operational, but the current Hong Kong scheme administrator lists13partners without Italy. Omission alone does not prove non-operation; the2019 Italian notice is historical, not a current negative. No later commencement notification or reconciliation was found. The signed terms below are conditional, not an assertion that applications are open.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) The Parties shall permit qualified persons to benefit from the application of this Agreement only once. The duration of the authorised period of stay may not exceed twelve (12) months.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (ii) upon their arrival in Italy pursuant to Article 3(a)(i), grant the permission to remain in Italy for the maximum period of twelve (12) months with multiple re-entry from the date of first entry into Italy.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) Residents of the HKSAR holding a permission to remain in Italy deriving from the working holiday visa, who shall like to find a temporary employment in Italy, must follow the relevant procedures upon their arrival in Italy. Residents of the HKSAR shall, within eight (8) days after arriving in Italy, apply for a permit of stay on the basis of the entry working holiday visa issued by the Consulate General of Italy in the HKSAR. The permit of stay for the working holiday visa is neither extendible nor convertible into a different kind of permit of stay. The issuance of a permit of stay on the basis of a working holiday visa does not entitle the holder to obtain a family reunification visa. The employer must, following the procedures concerning the compulsory communication of the employment, notify the employment to the competent Italian Authorities. Italian legislation relating to work and social security shall apply to residents of the HKSAR working in Italy under this Agreement.
  • working-holiday-ministry
    A oggi, sono operativi Accordi vacanze-lavoro con in seguenti Paesi: Nuova Zelanda , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Corea del Sud e Giappone (questi ultimi due Accordi, stipulati, rispettivamente nel 2012 e nel 2025 ed elevati al rango di Trattato internazionale, derogano alla normativa regolamentare e consentono ai cittadini sudcoreani e giapponesi di svolgere attività lavorativa in Italia per un periodo di sei mesi, anche con lo stesso datore di lavoro).
  • hongkong-current-whs
    To provide an opportunity for Hong Kong youths to broaden their horizons by experiencing foreign culture through living and working overseas while holidaying, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has established Working Holiday Scheme (the Scheme) with New Zealand , Australia , Ireland , Germany , Japan , Canada , Korea , France , the United Kingdom , Austria , Hungary , Sweden and the Netherlands . Apart from facilitating cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and our partner economies, the Scheme also enhances bilateral cooperation and promotes tourism and development between the two places.
  • hongkong-agreement
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of receipt of the later written notification by which the Parties inform each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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