The Working Holiday Maker scheme permits a Commonwealth national between the ages of 17 and 30 (inclusive) to travel to the United Kingdom for an extended holiday for a period of up to two years.

On 7th February 2005 the Home Office announced that candidates may only work for 12 out of the 24 months granted under this scheme.

It is important to note that a holiday is the main reason for your stay and not employment.

In some circumstances, you may switch into other immigration categories once in the United Kingdom such as the UK work permit scheme. This is only permitted if the occupation in which you have a job offer is listed on the Shortage Occupation List for the UK.

Ambler Collins can assess your options for UK immigration if considering a long term stay or return to the UK at the end of your working holiday.

In order to qualify for immigration to the UK as a working holidaymaker, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country, a British Overseas Territories citizen, a British Overseas citizen or a British National (Overseas);
  
  
• You must be aged between 17 and 30 years of age (inclusive);
  
  
• You must be a single person or if you are married or have a civil partner, they too must qualify under the working holidaymaker scheme and plan to take the working holiday with you;
  
  
• You do not have any dependent children who are five years or more. Any dependent children you have can not have their fifth birthday before your working holiday is finished;
  
  
• You must not be moving to the UK for the main purpose of employment and are unable to set up or run a business. This includes taking work as a professional sportsperson during your holiday;
  
  
• As with other UK immigration visas you must be able to support yourself throughout the duration of your stay (and for your return trip specific to this scheme), without assistance from public fund;

• Your intention must be to leave the UK at the end of your holiday.

You are only permitted to stay in the UK for a maximum period of two years from the valid from date issued by the Entry Clearance Officer in this immigration category. Any delays with entry to the UK or time spent outside the country during this period will be counted as part of the two-year duration.

As work in the UK must not be the main reason for your holiday, you may work for 12 months only. This includes most type of work excluding setting up or running a business, or work as a professional sportsperson.
Entry Clearance as a working holidaymaker from your country of normal or legal residence is mandatory for entry to the UK as a working holidaymaker.