The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has agreed with the Government of Ireland to double the reciprocal annual quota under the Hong Kong/Ireland Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) from 100 to 200 with effect from March 1, 2016, in response to its popularity.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed the expansion of the annual quota. He said, "We are encouraged by the positive response to the Hong Kong/Ireland WHS, which provides an excellent opportunity for youths from both economies to enrich their global exposure and broaden their horizons, through living and working temporarily in a foreign culture while holidaymaking."

The visiting Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton, also welcomed the increase of the reciprocal quota. He said, "The Working Holiday Scheme provides a great opportunity for our young people to gain valuable cultural and work experience during their travels. I encourage them to take the opportunity that the expansion of the scheme provides to travel to Ireland and Hong Kong to experience all that our respective economies have to offer."

Hong Kong youths aged 18 to 30 holding a valid HKSAR passport or a British National (Overseas) passport and who have not benefited from this WHS before may apply for a Working Holiday visa under the Hong Kong/Ireland WHS. Successful applicants may stay in Ireland for up to 12 months, during which they can take up short-term employment of not more than three months with the same employer. Similarly, Irish passport holders who meet these conditions can apply to stay in Hong Kong for the same duration.

Hong Kong applicants are welcome to visit the website of the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong for application details. Irish applicants may refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department's website at www.immd.gov.hk for further information.

Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has established bilateral WHS arrangements with 10 economies. Apart from Ireland, Hong Kong has also partnered with New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, the United Kingdom and Austria. So far, more than 60 000 Hong Kong youths have joined various WHSs.

Hong Kong youths are welcome to join WHSs. At the same time, the HKSAR Government also reminds working holidaymakers to raise their safety awareness abroad, for instance by taking out appropriate insurance policies and abiding by local laws. For good preparation, WHS participants should acquire a better understanding of their destinations (including the employment situation and living conditions) before departure. In case of accidents or serious incidents during their stay in partner economies, WHS participants can, in addition to approaching the local government authorities for assistance, contact the relevant Chinese Embassies or Consulates, or call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.

Ends/Friday, September 18, 2015