Working Holidaymakers

There was a period of about one and half years from June 2003 when there were few restrictions on what you could do as a working holidaymaker. Unfortunately, the UK Government suddenly changed the rules for the working holidaymaker scheme on 8 February 2005 and brought back many of the old restrictions to the working holidaymaker scheme.

If you were granted a working holidaymaker visa on or before 7 February 2005 you will continue to be allowed to do any type of work in the UK and will be allowed to work for the whole of the two year period in the UK. However, the new restrictions on switching from the working holidaymaker category to another category will apply.

The situation currently is that nationals of Commonwealth Countries, British Dependent Territories Citizens and British Overseas Citizens who are eligible to come under the working holidaymaker scheme have equal access to the scheme (theoretically anyway!). The British Government will now administer the scheme on a bilateral basis with each individual country. It is possible that in future, access to the scheme for nationals of certain Commonwealth countries could be denied if the Government feels, for example, that nationals of a particular country are not adhering to the conditions of entry as a working holidaymaker.

We are pleased to be able to provide you with the best guide on the internet to the UK Working Holidaymaker scheme.

Contents

• Introduction (Basic Requirements and Conditions)
• Two Years in the UK
• Working in the UK
• Visa Requirements
• Visa Application Procedures

Basic Requirements and Conditions