UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Working Holiday Makers find it easier to work in the UK

Thursday, 6 November 2008

Young people from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan will find it easier to work in the UK under new visa rules being introduced in Britain.

Under the new Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, effective from 27 November 2008, they are free to work for a full two years in any profession except for business and professional sport, or working as a doctor in training. However the old working holiday scheme allows people to work only for a total of up to 12 months during their two-year stay, which has been a major restriction.

The visa application fee will be cheaper by half, from £200 (500 AUD, 560NZD, 400CAD) to £99 (250 AUD, 280 NZD, 200 CAD).

The Youth Mobility Scheme applies to people aged between 18 and 30 and requires them to have at least £1600 (4,000AUD, 4,500 NZD, 3,200 CAD) to support themselves when first entering the UK.

The British high commissioner to Australia, Helen Liddell, said 'the new Youth Mobility Scheme is great news for Australians. Britain’s immigration system rewards those who come, work hard, bring their skills and strengthen cultural ties and Australians fit the bill very well'.

The British High Commission in Canberra issued 15,204 working holiday visas to Australians last financial year. 'Because of the changes, we wouldn’t be surprised if those numbers increase next year,' a British High Commission spokesman said.

This change is a part of a shift to an Australian-style points-based immigration system designed to protect the British labour market and encourage those who have the skills needed by the British economy to take advantage of what Britain offers.

The British immigration minister, Phil Woolas, is expected to announce details of the new tier 5 visa category at a speech to the Confederation of Industry in London.

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.