Working holiday visas

Introduction

The working holidaymaker scheme is an arrangement to allow Commonwealth citizens aged between 17 and 30 to come to the United Kingdom (UK) for an extended “working holiday” for up to two years. This scheme is separate to the work permit arrangements, and the status of a working holidaymaker is very different to that of a work permit holder. Individuals are allows to work, but only provided that this is incidental to the holiday. The holiday should be the primary reason for the individual’s stay.

Criteria

Individuals can qualify as working holidaymakers if:

  • They are a Commonwealth citizen of a country listed in Appendix 3 of the Immigration Rules, a British Dependant Territories citizen, British Overseas citizen or a British National (Overseas);
  • They are aged 17 to 30 years of age (inclusive);
  • They want to come to the UK for an extended holiday, and intend to take employment as part of their holiday for no more than 12 months during your stay;
  • They do not intend to engage in business or work as a professional sports person during your stay;
  • They are single or are married to a person who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and planning also to take the working holiday together;
  • They do not have any dependent children who are aged five years or over or who will be five before they complete the working holiday;
  • They can support and accommodate themselves in the UK without help from public funds;
  • They have not spent time in the United Kingdom on a previous working holidaymaker visa; and
  • They plan to leave the UK at the end of their holiday.

 

Entry clearance as a working holiday visa must be granted before an individual departs for the UK. Entry under this category cannot be granted on arrival in the UK.

Duration of Stay

Individuals can stay in the UK for up to two years under the working holidaymaker scheme. Any time spent outside of the UK during that period will be counted as part of the two-year permitted stay, and there is no provision for an extension of stay as a working holidaymaker to be granted beyond the validity of the visa on which you enter the United Kingdom.

Restrictions on working

Any applicant must intend to work in the UK only as an incidental part of their holiday, so they must intend to spend no more than 12 months working, and to spend the rest of their stay on holiday.

Most types of work can be undertaken including voluntary work, but working holidaymakers may not engage in any business, or provide services as a professional sportsperson. Any other type of professional work is permitted. Individuals can choose when to work and when to take their holiday breaks as you wish, but they must not work for more than a total of 12 months or they will be breaking the conditions of their stay.

NB: People issued with a working holidaymaker visa before 8 February 2005 do not have any restrictions upon the amount or type of work that they carry out.

Extending and switching

Individuals cannot extend their stay as working holidaymakers beyond the initially granted period of 2 years. They may however be eligible to switch into work permit employment after 12 months in the UK where your occupation is on the list of designated shortage occupations. Working Holidaymakers may also switch status into the Innovators - Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) categories providing that they meet the appropriate criteria.

Documentation and application process

Applications for working holiday visas are dealt with by the individuals British Diplomatic Post in the individual’s country of residence. UK Work Permits Ltd do not assist with working holiday visa applications. The application process is normally straightforward. Information about the application process and contact details for the nearest BDP can be obtained on the UK Visas website.