UK Working Holiday Visa: Explore and Work in the UK
So you’ve decided to take a gap year (or three)! The UK is a super popular destination for anyone wanting to live and work overseas. If you’re thinking about spending a couple of years working in the UK, the Working Holiday Visa could be right for you.
What is the UK Working Holiday visa?
The UK Working Holiday visa, otherwise known as the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, allows eligible applicants the right to live and work in the UK for up to two years (three years if you are from New Zealand). You are only able to obtain and use this visa once in your life.
Eligibility requirements are in the process of changing. As of January 2024, any Australians on the UK Working Holiday visa will be able to apply to extend their visa by one year.
Who is eligible for the UK Working Holiday visa?
To apply for the UK Working Holiday visa, you must be aged 18-30 on the day of your application (or 18-35 if you are from New Zealand). You must hold a valid passport from an eligible country, some of which include Australia, Canada, Iceland, Monaco and New Zealand. Citizens of Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan can also apply for a UK Working Holiday visa if they are invited to do so through the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot system.
You will need to provide proof that you have had at least £2530 in your bank account for 28 days in a row, to show you will be able to support yourself financially.
Eligibility requirements are subject to change and certain countries have different requirements. Visit the UK government website for up-to-date eligibility information.
How can I apply for a UK Working Holiday visa?
To apply for the UK Working Holiday visa, you will need to fill out the application form on the UK government website. This doesn’t have to be filled out all at once; you can save your application and come back to it as many times as you like before submission. The form includes general questions about your life and identity, as well as travel, education and criminal history.
After you have applied, you will need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre in your home city, where you will have your fingerprints and photo taken.
As part of your application, you will be required to pay the UK’s immigration healthcare surcharge of £470 per year. This will ensure you are covered by the UK’s universal healthcare scheme, the NHS.
What can you do with a UK Working Holiday visa?
If you hold a UK Working Holiday visa, you can work in most jobs and study in the UK. You are also able to leave and enter the UK as many times as you wish for the duration of your visa.
What are the restrictions of the UK Working Holiday visa?
On the UK Working Holiday visa, there are certain jobs you are not allowed to perform. These include working as a professional sportsperson or coach. If you are self-employed while you are living in the UK, certain conditions must be met.
You may not bring family members in on your application; they must apply separately.
Overall, the UK Working Holiday visa is a great option for young people wishing to live and work in the UK.
Author: Amy Roberts
