Applications for the Hong Kong/Ireland bilateral Working Holiday Scheme, which enables young people aged 18 to 30 from the two places to take up short-term employment while on holiday in each other's territory, will be accepted starting tomorrow.

The scheme provides invaluable opportunities for young people to gain exposure to a different culture and broaden their horizons.

Under the scheme, young people may stay up to 12 months in each other's territory for holidays and take up temporary jobs for not more than three months with any one employer during their stay. There will be 100 places per year for both sides.

To be eligible for an Irish working holiday visa, young people must meet the following criteria:

*be ordinary residents of Hong Kong aged 18 to 30, with a valid Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport;

*be able to pay for the return journey and to maintain a living while in Ireland; and

*have medical and comprehensive hospitalisation and liability insurance for the stay in Ireland.

Details available online

Application details for an Irish working holiday visa can be obtained from the office of the Honorary Consulate of Ireland at 6/F, Chung Nam Building, 1 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. Enquiries can be made by telephone at 2527 4897, by fax at 2520 1833, or by email to ireconhk@netvigator.com, or online here.

Details about applications for a Hong Kong working holiday visa can be obtained from the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.