Working Holiday UK and Working Holiday Visa Insformation for Australian backpackers
Working Holiday UK - Australian Backpackers
A Working Holiday UK is a rite of passage for many Aussie's. Whether you take off after Uni or TAFE, have had enough of your job or just want to get away from it all, a working holiday UK style is a great way to see the world from and have the time of your life while backpacking the world. A working holiday in UK will be the experience of a lifetime. If you require cheap travel insurance, make sure you get a free quote for our great value policies.
Which is the RIGHT Visa for you?
To enter the UK to work, you must have an appropriate working holiday visa otherwise you will be refused entry at Customs. We have listed the main types of visas available to Australian backpackers and travellers below. For more information visit the Australian British High Commission site.
UK/EU Passport Holders
If you have a UK or EU passport, you can work and live in the UK unrestricted.
Ancestry Visa
Citizens of Commonwealth countries who can establish descent from a grandparent born in the UK (including the present day Republic of Ireland if born before 31 March 1922), may apply for residence in the UK on the basis of this ancestry. Valid for presentation at UK ports from the "valid from" date given on the visa, the holder will be permitted to live and work in the UK for an initial period of four years. At the end of this time, the individual may apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the Home Office.
Right of Abode
Commonwealth citizens who were born in the UK, or have a parent born in the UK have the 'Right of Abode' in the UK. These people may apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to be placed in their Commonwealth Passports. This Certificate of Entitlement allows the holder to live and work in the UK without restriction. For the details of this visa, check out the Right of Abode section of the UK Visas website.
Working Holiday Makers (WHM) Visa - Working Holiday UK
On 25 August 2003, the restrictions on the Working Holiday UK Visa were relaxed. Some of the changes related to an all important increase in the age restriction to 30 years and under, and WHMs are now able to work in their profession AND you can work for as long as your visa is valid.
You must satisfy the following criteria to obtain a WHM Visa: a Commonwealth citizen; between 17 and 30 years of age; intend to take a holiday at some stage of your stay; intend to leave the country at the expiration of your visa; have sufficient funds to support yourself financially; declare any criminal convictions when applying; must not have any children over 5 years of age. For more information on the criteria for UK Working Holiday Visa's, click here.
As a UK Working Holiday Maker, customs will more than likely identify yo
u for questioning. This will take the line of why you are entering the UK, and your intentions while you are there. Don't get too stressed, they do it to just about everyone and as long as you are honest you won't have any problems.For more information on the Visas available to you, how to apply, and prices, visit the British High Commission website in New Zealand.