What is the Working Holidaymaker Scheme?

The Working Holidaymaker Scheme is an arrangement where a Commonwealth citizen aged between 17 and 30 can come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. You can work but only if this is not the main reason for your stay. The holiday should be the main reason for your stay.

How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?

You must be able to show that you:

• are a Commonwealth citizen, a British Overseas Territories citizen, a British Overseas citizen or a British National (Overseas);
• are aged between 17 and 30;
• want to come to the UK for an extended holiday, and intend to take employment as part of your holiday for no more than 12 months during your stay;
• do not intend to set yourself up in or run a business, or work as a professional sportsperson during your stay;
• are single, or are married to someone who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and you plan to take the working holiday together;
• do not have any dependent children aged five or over, or who will be five before your holiday ends;
• can support yourself and live in the UK without needing any help from public funds;
• have not spent time in the UK on a previous working holidaymaker visa; and
• intend to leave the UK at the end of your holiday.
• You must get a visa before you travel to the UK as a working holidaymaker.
  

How long can I stay?

You can stay in the UK for up to two years from the date you were first given permission to enter as a working holidaymaker. The UK Govt will count any time you spend outside the UK during that period as part of the two years.

How much and what work can I do?

Work in the UK must not be the main reason for your holiday, so you must spend no more than 12 months working.

You can take most types of work, including voluntary work, but you cannot set yourself up in or run a business, or work as a professional sportsperson. You can choose when to work and when to take your holiday breaks, but you must not work for more than a total of 12 months or you will be breaking the conditions of your stay. Note: if you were issued with a working holidaymaker visa before 8 February 2005, there are no restrictions on the amount or type of work that you are allowed to do.

Do I need a visa as a working holidaymaker?

You must get a visa as a working holidaymaker before you travel to the UK.

What is a visa?

A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK.
If you have a valid UK visa, we will not normally refuse you entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not tell the BHC important facts when you applied for your visa.
When you arrive in the UK an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.

How do I apply for a visa?
You will need to fill in a visa application form
How much money will I need to qualify as a working holidaymaker?
You must be able to:

• support yourself and live without needing help from public funds
• show that you have enough money to pay the cost of at least your journey to the UK, and
• show that you have enough money for your accommodation and living expenses for the first two months after you arrive, or for at least one month if you can show that you have arranged a job in advance, and that this job will pay you enough to cover your accommodation and living expenses.

What will happen when I make my application?

The Entry Clearance Officer will try to make a decision using your application form and the supporting documents you have provided. If this is not possible, they will need to interview you.
Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

• your personal details are correct
• it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
• it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated for up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately.)
  

What are public funds?

Under the Immigration Rules, if you want to travel to the UK as an au pair you must be able to support yourself and live without claiming certain state benefits. Use this link to see a list of them:

Can I apply to extend my stay once I am in the UK?

You cannot extend your stay as a working holidaymaker. However, you may be eligible to switch into work permit employment after 12 months in the UK if your occupation is on the list of ‘shortage occupations’. Working holidaymakers can also apply to stay in the UK as ‘Innovators’ and in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). You can find out more about these schemes and a list of shortage occupations on the ‘Working in the UK’ website: