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 What is the working holiday scheme?
The working holidaymaker scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 can come to the United Kingdom (UK) for an extended holiday for up to two years and may do part-time or casual work. You will be permitted to work, but expected to take a holiday during your stay.
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How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?
You qualify as a working holidaymaker if:
• You are a Commonwealth citizen
• You want to come to the UK to take employment as an integral part of a working holiday
• You are single or are married to a person who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and you plan to take the working holiday together
• You do not have any dependent children who are aged five years or over, or who will be five before you complete your holiday
• You can support and accommodate yourself without help from public funds
• You have the means to pay for your return, or onward journey
• You plan to leave the UK at the end of your holiday
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How long can I stay?
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. Any time you spend outside the UK during that period will count as part of the two years.
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What type of work can I do?
The Working Holidaymaker scheme does not place any restrictions on the type of work you can do.
There is also no restriction on the amount of work that you can do (part-time or full-time), but you will be expected to take a holiday at some point during your stay.
Any person allowed to enter the UK under this category is permitted to switch into Work Permit employment after one year in the UK.
Do I need a visa as a working holidaymaker?
You must get a visa as a working holidaymaker before you travel to the UK.
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What is a visa?
A visa is an entry clearance certificate that is placed in your passport or travel document at a British mission overseas. The entry clearance certificate confers leave to enter the UK.
If you have a valid UK visa you will not normally be refused entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or you failed to disclose important facts when you applied for your visa.
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How do I apply for a visa?
You will need to complete a visa application form (VAF1 –non-settlement). You can get a form from this website (www.ukvisas.gov.uk see our links page) or from your nearest UK Overseas Mission where there is a visa section. You should check with your nearest British mission whether they can deal with your application. If they cannot they will tell you where to apply.
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What will I need to make my application?
You will need:
• A completed Application form VAF1- Non-settlement
• Any dependants under 16 years old travelling with you can be included on your form. Older dependants should complete separate forms
• Your valid passport or travel document
• Two recent passport sized photographs
• The visa fee, which is non-refundable, and must normally be paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying
The Entry Clearance Officer may then be able to decide your application without further enquiries. You may, however, be asked to attend for interview.
In addition to the documents listed above you may be asked for:
• Evidence of your financial standing and funds
• Evidence of any firm travel plans you have made, such as your ticket or a letter from your travel agent confirming that the cost of your ticket has been deposited.
Applications may be made to the Visa Section of a British mission in person, in some places, by post.
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What funds will I need to qualify as a working holidaymaker?
There is no specific amount of money that you must have in order to qualify for entry as a working holidaymaker. However, you must be able to show that you have enough money to pay for your return journey and also to pay for your accommodation and living expenses FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST TWO MONTHS AFTER ARRIVAL WITHOUT RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS, OR FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IF YOU HAVE A JOB ARRANGED IN ADVANCE.
In order to establish how much money you will need we recommend that you make your own enquiries, for example through regional tourist offices or through UK websites, about the area in which you wish to stay. This will help you find out how much you are likely to have to spend on accommodation, travel and other basic living expenses. You will then have a clear idea of how much money you will need.
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