Embassy of Belgium in the Republic of Korea
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Working Holiday in Belgium

What is the Working Holiday program?

A working holiday visa is a specific visa for young people (18-30 years), who want to combine tourism with short-term employment. The visa is valid for a period of 12 months.

The Working Holiday Program between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of Korea entered into force on July 1st, 2016. This program enables young Koreans to have an extended holiday of one year in Belgium and supplement their funds with short-term employment. The main focus of the agreement is discovering the life and culture of Belgium. While in Belgium, it is possible to work or to study, for a maximum of 6 months.

5 good reasons to go to Belgium with a Working Holiday

  • Belgium is centrally located in Europe, so travelling to other countries is easy
  • Brussels is one of the most globalized cities in the world, with many job opportunities for foreigners
  • You can practice and learn English, French, German and Dutch, all in the same country
  • A working holiday gives you the opportunity to try different kinds of work and boost your CV
  • You will get to know the local culture, cuisine and art scene and have the chance to make international as well as local friends

More information

If you check the following requirements, you can apply for a Working Holiday Visa.

  • You are between the age of 18 and 30 years (inclusive)
  • You have not not participated in the Working Holiday Program for Belgium before
  • You are residing in the Republic of Korea at the time of the visa application
  • You travel without dependents
  • You have sufficient financial resources at the time of departure, i.e. a minimum of 2.500 €
  • You possess a valid return ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket

On the visa section of our website, you find all concrete information on how to apply for the Working Holiday Visa.

Testimonials

Kim Sehwi (28) went to Belgium in 2019:

Hello! I’m Kim Se Hwi, I went to Belgium for a year on working holiday. I brought back so many memories from Belgium in a year. There were unforgettable, happy moments and also difficult experiences, but now they are all precious memories of my life. To be honest, it wasn't easy to make my own living by working abroad. From finding a job with my poor language skills to adapting to a completely different culture from Korea, I had to face many obstacles. But in retrospect, every single day was worth it. Thinking about it now, the hard times are actually more memorable!

I lived in a shared flat, where I was able to meet people of various nationalities, especially since in Europe there is a lot of mutual interaction. I think that the level of happiness during your working holiday is determined by the people you hang out with. The quality time I spent with good friends is one of the biggest reasons why I feel satisfied with my stay in Belgium. Making new friends, going to their place to enjoy a nice party… I had a great time with no regrets.

In Europe there is freedom of movement between countries, so it's very convenient to travel around. Belgium, in particular, faces the Netherlands to the North, France to the South, the United Kingdom to the left and Germany and Luxembourg to the right, so it’s very easy to travel to these neighboring countries. Using my spare time, I travelled to a total of 22 countries during my working holiday period.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Belgium is chocolate, beer, and waffles. Indeed, these three specialties represent Belgium. I especially enjoyed drinking Belgian beer. The price is so cheap, and there are so many different varieties that I never got tired of drinking. There are only 12 places in the world that produce Trappist beer, six of which are from monasteries in Belgium. And by the way, not many people know about Belgian fries… they are really delicious. With Belgian fries and beer, you really feel on top of the world, haha!

Another great thing about being in Belgium is that you can watch European soccer leagues in local time! The four major European leagues (EPL, Primera Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A) used to be difficult to watch because most of the games were held early in the morning in Korean time, but in Europe, I could watch them in local time. Also, I was able to directly watch the games of the Belgian national team, 1st in the FIFA rankings, and see many star players such as Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku with my own eyes. I think it's a great opportunity for soccer fans like me!

I could list so many memories from Belgium. Even though I went on working holiday at the late age of 28, it was year without regrets. I invite you all to enjoy the Belgian life before it's too late!

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If you have any questions or would like more information about life in Belgium, please feel free to contact me!

Kim Myeongki (25) went on a working holiday to Belgium in 2018:

If you are interested in experiencing a unique culture, come to Belgium. Belgium is situated in the center of the EU, bordering with the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg. Due to its geographical location, in Belgium they speak various languages such as French, Dutch, and German. They have a unique culture and music, as well as world-renowned food and diverse festivals.

Belgium is divided into Dutch-speaking Flanders in the North, French-speaking Wallonia in the South, and the capital region, Brussels. If you decide to spend one year in Belgium, you can visit the town of Namur in the South to taste its strawberries; walk along the Meuse river and go to the Strawberry Museum; learn about the history of music in Dinant, the city of saxophone and jazz; or visit Waterloo, where Napoleon fought his last battle.

If you are interested in fashion, stop by Antwerp, the city of arts and design, then go on to Ghent, the largest city in the East Flanders region, to take a look at its canals or walk along its monasteries in deep reflection. If you are more of a foodie, you can try the Liège waffles and Brussels waffles, or go on a food tour to taste Belgium's sweet chocolates, many different types of beer, and its famous fries. 

Or how about the Brussels Flower Carpet Festival, a biennale event that covers the Grand-Place with a million flowers? First started in 1970, it takes place every 2 years, so make sure to check before you go! Your various activities in Belgium, such as admiring the Atomium in Brussels or visiting Bruges, considered one of the most beautiful parts of Belgium, will give you a deeper experience.