Peru and Czechia nearing agreement for working holiday arrangement

Negotiations are underway to establish a working holiday program between the Czech Republic and Peru, which would allow young citizens of both countries limited work opportunities during extended cultural exchanges. The Czech cabinet approved pursuing such an agreement earlier this month, according to information posted on the Foreign Ministry website.

If finalized, the pact would join similar accords the Czech Republic maintains with Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Chile, and Japan. Under a working holiday, people could spend up to a year in the host country working to fund their travels without a formal work permit, Foreign Ministry sources said.

Peruvians would receive visas valid for 12 months upon entering Czechia, while Czechs could stay in Peru for the same period with their documentation.

A visa for a stay longer than 90 days (a long-term visa) for a working holiday is intended for citizens of third countries with which the Czech Republic has a correspondent bilateral agreement.

According to the Czech government, "The objective of a working holiday is to improve one’s language skills or to get to know the culture and the society of the target country and to work there temporarily."

The program could be limited initially to 200 participants from each nation annually, mirroring caps included in an agreement with Chile. In addition to contractual exchange programs, the Czech Republic also facilitates informal working holidays with Taiwan and Australia.

Negotiations are also reportedly underway with Argentina, while discussions may soon begin with the United Kingdom.

Peru currently has comparable accords with major destination countries like Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, France, Portugal, and Poland, strengthening the case for a new Czech partnership, according to Foreign Ministry records.