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The Working Holidaymaker Scheme enables a person aged between 17 and 30 to come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. The scheme must be applied for before your 30th birthday and used to enter the UK within 6 months from the date of issue. The working holidaymaker scheme is valid for 2 consecutive years (nothing can be carried over this 24 month period) and entitles the holder to work in the UK for 12 months of the 24-month period.

Eligibility

• You must be aged between 17 and 30 years, (inclusive)
• Employment must not be the primary motive for living and working in the UK.
• You must be either single, or married to a person who qualifies for the scheme in their own right and will be joining you on the holiday.
• You do not have any dependant children who are either over the age of five years, or will be before the holiday ends.
• You are required to be able to support yourself throughout the duration of your holiday and for your return trip, without help from the state.
• You must intend to leave the country at the end of the 24 month period duration of your visa.

Duration

You may only work in Britain under this scheme for a maximum period of two years (24 months) from the date you enter the country. Any time spent outside the country during this period, once the working holidaymaker visa has been granted, will be classed as part of the 24 months.

Types of Employment

The working holidaymaker Scheme allows a holder to undertake most types of work whether paid or unpaid voluntary work. However, working holidaymaker visa applicants are not permitted to begin or run their own business venture or work as a professional sportsperson. The itinerary of the holiday, in terms of when work is undertaken and which parts of the 2-year duration constitute a holiday are left entirely to the preference of the applicant. However, within the 24-month period, it is only permitted to work a maximum of 12 months.

Spouse and Dependent Immigration

Spouse immigration is permitted under this scheme, but your spouse or unmarried partner will need to qualify under the regulations of the scheme in their own right. The scheme does not work like a dependency visa or a marriage visa, based on being a partner or dependant of someone with settled status as a permanent resident of the United Kingdom. Each person embarking upon this working holidaymaker scheme must be able to demonstrate that they independently satisfy the conditions of the scheme.