Applications will be accepted from January 1 (Monday) for the Hong Kong/Sweden bilateral Working Holiday Scheme which allows young people from the two places to broaden their horizons and to gain living and working experience in a foreign culture.

The working holiday visa will allow young people from Hong Kong and Sweden to stay in the host economy for up to 12 months. During the period, they may work to finance their stay and/or to take up short-term study courses.

Details of visa application procedures for applicants from Hong Kong can be found on the website of the Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong at www.swedenabroad.com/en-GB/Embassies/Hong-Kong. Applicants from Sweden may contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department by telephone on 2824 6111 or obtain the necessary information from the Department's website www.immd.gov.hk.

Since 2001, Hong Kong has established working holiday schemes with New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Canada, Korea, France, the United Kingdom, Austria and Hungary. So far, some 82 000 Hong Kong youths have participated in these schemes.

Ends/Friday, December 29, 2017