I need some "been there, done that" opinions.

My 21-year-old son wants to live here for a year with my Dutchie and I and will be applying for a working holiday visa. We've been reading and researching, but would be interested in any input experienced WHV people have had, specifically:

- the amount of money the IND assumes is adequate to cover 6-weeks of expenses. Considering that he'll be living with us rent-free, perhaps the amount would be less than say, a single person wanting to set up a homebase in Amsterdam?

- work prospects. I am assuming most of you did a WHV after university. My son has a performing arts certificate from Sheridan, but no degree. He is fluent in English and French and will sign up for Dutch lessons here. He has food service and retail experience. Will finding at least part-time work in Amsterdam be difficult for him?

- opening a bank account. My Dutchie just added me to his account, so I have no idea how or whether my son can set this up relatively hassle free.

- is there anything else about the process that he should be aware of that isn't necessarily mentioned on official websites? Experience has taught me that reality is often quite different than the theory!

I look forward to hearing your stories! Thank you!

There is a discussion thread about this on the australian forum, think will answer some of your questions.

I dont think there is a specific amount that they specify, i think as a guide they indicate $AU3000. I just showed them an internet print out of my bank statement in which my boyfriend had transferred in $AU3000 so it was obvious it wasnt mine and they didnt say anything about it. Although, i also had an open ended return air ticket.

If he is not worried about the type of work he does I dont think he will have any problems. i think the fact he can speak French will be more valuable than a degree. A lot of jobs say that you should speak english and another european language.

I opened a bank account at ABN Amro with no problems at all, they just needed to see the sticker in my passport from the foreign police and my sofi number.

From what I hear of other peoples experiences I think that people applying for the WHV are treated alot better than those applying for other types of visas.

That's probably because the IND knows that they're leaving at the end of their year!

According to the Dutch Consulate Website, proof of at least $75 to start you out and either the price of a return plane ticket or a copy of the ticket itself is needed. We're taking care of the plane ticket(s), so any money he can save up by May is his. Plus he won't have to worry about rent or utilities as he's staying with us (we're fixing up our attic as a guest room).

He's got the long-form birth certificate...he just has to get it legalised in Ottawa, then sent to the Dutch Embassy for approval (along with a $39 money order)...They ship the kit and kaboodle (along with the MVV which is free) to the Dutch Consulate in Toronto where he will pick it up in person and bob's yer uncle. At least according to the lady at the Consulate in Ottawa that my Dutchie was speaking to (in Dutch) yesterday.

Yeah, it's all looking good! Good to know that the second language will be such a benefit....Thanks for replying!

When is your son going over to the Netherlands? I'm thinking of going over in late spring early summer on a working holiday visa, and it would be interesting to hear some first hand experience. Although, the issue(housing) that is causing me most stress won't be an issue for you son I guess.
Was the embassy much help when you called? Do they really know much about the visa?

My son is coming at the beginning of May...

Here is the information from the website:

http://www.netherlandsembassy.ca/exchange_...working_holiday

My husband called there and spoke to the woman in charge of the visas and she was very helpful (albeit, she might have been thrilled to talk to someone in Dutch! ). The money order should be for about $39.50 (you can confirm that with them) btw. And you'll have to pick up your visa in person (showing ID) once it is ready.

So far it's all going smoothly...Although don't attempt to go through any airline except Air Transat for your flight. You can't book a return online because there's nothing available past December. Air Canada has no one-way economy fares (or direct flights) and Martinair one-way flights are over $600. Air Transat in May is about $400 one way including taxes...

Thanks for the help. I just called them and they told me $38.85. Maybe i should just send them $40 and tell them to keep the change.
The airtransat tip is really useful. They're starting up a flight this summer from Fredericton(where I live) direct to Gatwick, London, and the price is only around $300 one way. The problem with that is, i need to be in toronto to pick up the visa. But, I guess they fly from toronto too.
Is your son doing anything to prepare for the trip that's not listed on the website? Like, i've read on some forums here that it might be a good idea to get your police report or whatever it is called.

Might be a good idea...Just in case...

Would also advise a Paypal account. In fact, two: a Dutch one and a Canadian one. From what I've read here, the cheapest way to transfer money that you may earn here to your Canadian bank account to pay any bills there (my son has a student loan and a couple of cards still to pay off). Otherwise, you're looking at €12 theresabouts to transfer from an ABN Amro account to a Canadian one.

Hi Canucky,
I'm so happy for you that your son will be able to visit and work while he's here with relatively little trouble! That is really faboo!!!!
I might try that trick with my friend who wants to come for an extended stay.

I agree about the Paypal account. I have a prem. (master card debit card) one from way back, but I can't set up a new one for Euros because I already have one, it's the damndest thing!

It's ok because I rarely need to put money from my Euro account into my dollars account anyway, and my family knows to deposit into that account.

I would also recommend him getting an account at a local bank for several reasons. it'll be easier for him to receive pay if he does to any white (as opposed to zwarte cash) work, and he'll be able to access it from Canada, and any money you want to put on his account, as a B-day gift, etc, is easier if it's a dutch bank account - also the exchange rate is still in the Euro's favor.

that aside, GRATZ again!

Your friend isn't American though is s/he? Working holiday visas aren't available in the US...

I was wondering, CanuckyWoman, what does your son plan on doing for medical insurance?

Yeah, this is interesting...

I looked into Omverzekeringen because they insured me while I waited for my residence permit. Thing is, I could pay monthly for mine; they want it all up front for him. Over €600.

My son says that when you apply for the permit, all the requirements say is that you must show INTENT to get health insurance. Hopefully they won't insist on seeing proof right there and then when he applies for the visa.

So we're still shopping around...might see if Zilveren Kruis will add him to our coverage for a year...A colleague of mine also recommended some cheap backpackers insurance she took out when she did a Working Holiday Visa in Australia a couple of years ago...When she sends me the link I'll pass it on...

I dont get why do the Canadians have wHV for the UK and NL and the Americans have no such agreement with anybody in the world.
What did the canadians do to be so beloved?

they gave them maple syrup for free???

Well the UK one is understandable...there is a WHV program for citizens of Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia and New Zealand.

As for the Netherlands (and Germany apparently)...I think it's a reciprocal program. The US doesn't have any such reciprocity with any other countries.

It sucks I agree...

Its just weird I think that we have this Friendship Treaty. Then just make it WHV instead because the dutch make it too complicated as it is. In any case, I was being a bit facetious in my complaint. If you are Canadian, then take advantage of the benefits and this is one of them. The USA clearly thinks/thought from being a superpower that it didn't have to come up with any such agreements with other countries. Because after all, everyone is trying to come to the USA, what every country thinks when it comes to immigration so it wasn't going to encourage it with no WHV reciprocity agreement.

Actually the WHV emphasizes the "H" over the "W"...you only have one year to live and work here, but your primary purpose is supposed to be the holiday, not the work. And you have to be under the age of 30 and can't be married or have kids.

In those respects it's not really the same in intent and privileges as the Friendship Treaty.

yeah but that's all most people want the ability to work to see what life is like in another country
there are really no privileges in the friendship treaty, it is barely usable by most americans because of the obstacles the dutch agencies impose. They can keep the friendship treaty, i'd take WHV over it anyday