Visa News

Positive Changes to Working Holidaymaker Scheme Announced.

20 June 2003

The British Government today confirmed the changes to the Working Holidaymaker Visa Scheme and announced an easing of employment restrictions for working travellers heading to the UK from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Changes announced by the British government to the Working Holidaymakers Visa Scheme include:

• Raising the applicant cut-off age from 27 to 30.
• Allowing working holidaymakers to work in their own profession.
• No restriction on how much work is carried out.

Traditionally working holidaymakers could only work for 50% of the time, and could not work in their profession. In an effort to tap the talent pool of the estimated 20,000 young Commonwealth visitors arriving in the UK each year restrictions have been significantly eased.

The visa duration remains at two years, but after the first year people can apply for a full work permit, if they meet tough criteria. The changes are effective from 25th August this year. Existing working holidaymakers will be able to benefit from the lifting of work restrictions and the switching provisions with immediate effect.

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