Immigration to UK - Working Holidaymakers

The Working Holidaymaker category enables citizens of Commonwealth countries aged between 17 and 30 (the upper age limit having recently been increased from 27) to come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years and also gives permission to work. All intending Working Holidaymakers must obtain an entry clearance (visa) prior to travelling to the UK and this must be obtained in their home country (or other country in which they are lawfully resident).

This visa is for young commonwealth citizens. On this visa, you can do any type of work while you are in UK.

Basic Requirements and Conditions

You have to be a Commonwealth Citizen between the ages of 17 and 30. You can come to the UK for an extended holiday for up to two years and can take up any form of work. This two year period starts as soon as you enter the UK on this status and will last exactly two years. For example, if you enter the UK for six months and then decide to spend the following one and half years outside the UK you will have used up your two years as a working holidaymaker.

You will be expected to be on holiday for at least part of your time in the UK over two years. You should take a holiday at some point during the two year period. If you are an employee under employment law you will have to take a holiday anyway!

You can take on any type of work in the UK. Previously, you were only supposed to work half of the time during the two years and only in quite low level jobs. Now you can take on any part-time or full-time job.

You should have planned your employment so that it is an integral part of your working holiday. For example, you may have decided that you wish to spend some time in London and so also wish to find work in London.

You should be single, or are married to someone who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and wish to both be working holidaymakers.

You do not have any dependent children who are aged five years or over, or who will be five before the end of the two years as working holidaymaker.

You should have enough funds to support yourself until you find work without requiring public funds. You should probably have enough money to support yourself for the first month.

You are able to pay for a return ticket or have at least enough money to go onto another destination.

You intend to leave the UK at the end of your working holidaymaker status. It should be noted that if while in the UK you decide to change your mind and stay longer there may be a number of different options. You may be able to come under the work permit scheme or some other category under the immigration rules.

If after spending two years in the UK you may be in a position to stay longer. There are many working holidaymakers who remain in the UK on an UK work permit, on the basis of marriage, as an unmarried partner, as a student, etc.

You can switch to being a work permit holder after one year in the UK. However, you should note that work permits are normally only issued for high level jobsand where the employer can show that there is a shortage of people to fill the vacancy.

A working holidaymaker cannot apply in the UK to vary his status to work permit holder, business person, self-employed person, personal of independent means or investor, or fiancée. If the working holidaymaker is a non-visa national, they can apply to vary their status to that of student.

You can only stay in the UK for two years as a working holidaymaker, from the date you first enter the UK in this category. We will count any time you spend outside the UK during that period as part of the two years.

There are now no restrictions on the type of work you can do.

If after spending two years in the UK you may be in a position to stay longer. There are many working holidaymakers who remain in the UK on an UK work permit, on the basis of marriage, as an unmarried partner, as a student, etc.

Working under Working Holidaymaker Visa category

• You can now take on any type of work in the UK.
• You can take on any part-time or full-time job.
• You should take a holiday at some point during the two year period. If you are an employee under employment law you will have to take a holiday anyway!
• You can switch to being a work permit holder after one year in the UK. However, you should note that work permits are normally only issued for high level jobs and where the employer can show that there is a shortage of people to fill the vacancy.

Visa Requirements

• You must apply for a visa at your local British Embassy or Consulate. You cannot apply to remain as a working holiday maker from within the UK.
• You will have to meet the particular requirements at the British Embassy or Consulate. It has in the past been the case that it has been easier to gain entry in a Country with a high average standard of living. It remains to be seen if following the changes in 2003 there will be more working holidaymaker applications from people in poorer Countries.
• If your visa is granted there will be an endorsement in your passport granting you leave to enter the UK. This is called an entry clearance certificate. You can request that this visa is valid for up to three months.
• It is unlikely that you will be refused entry to the UK if the visa is issued. Normally, people are refused entry if you have made false statements when you made your application or failed to disclose important facts in your application. It is also possible that the application will be refused if your circumstances have changed since you made the application.
• It is probably a good idea to have a copy of your visa application with you in your hand luggage when you arrive in the UK in case you are questioned by an immigration officer.

UK Visa Application Procedures

The procedures will vary depending on where you apply. You should check with the relevant UK Embassy or Consulate. Generally the following will be needed:

• You will need to complete form the non-settlement visa form. If you have young children that meet the requirements for entry these can be included in the same form.
• If you have a spouse/partner who wishes to apply and meets the requirements he/she should also complete the form.
• You should have a valid passport or travel document.
• You will need to provide 2 or three passport photographs depending on the Country where you apply.
• You should pay the visa fee which is non-refundable and is normally paid in the local currency. The particular British Embassy or Consulate will have further details of this.
• You may or may not be asked for interview. This will depend on the practice at the relevant British Embassy or Consulate or on your particular circumstances.
• You may be asked for information about your financial position. This could be evidence of money in a bank account, etc.
• You may be asked for evidence that you have made firm travel plans. For example, evidence that you have deposited money with a travel agent.