The Working Holidaymaker scheme enables young Commonwealth citizens to spend an extended holiday in the United Kingdom of up to two years’ duration.

Prior Visa is mandatory. If you do not have a Visa (“visa”) before you travel, the Immigration Officer will refuse you entry on arrival in the UK .

The two-year period cannot be taken cumulatively. It expires on the second anniversary of your first arrival in the UK as a Working Holidaymaker. Time spent outside of the UK during this two-year period is therefore lost. You should bear this in mind if you want to visit other countries during your working holiday.

You cannot apply again as a Working Holidaymaker if you have already been to the UK as such.  All applications are checked against our records, and those of other UK Visa issuing posts around the world.

If you have a UK born grandparent, you will find it more beneficial to apply for an employment Visa on the grounds of UK ancestry. Please see our separate information pack.

Who can apply?
You must be:

• A citizen of a Commonwealth country (this includes South Africa );
• Aged between 17 and 30 inclusive on the day you first intend to enter the UK as a working holidaymaker;
• Unmarried, or married to a person who also meets the requirements of the working holidaymaker rules and who is simultaneously taking a working holiday with you in the UK . e.g. a couple aged 28 and 30 can apply, but one aged 28 and 31 cannot; 
• Without dependent children. However, children under 5 can accompany you on a working holiday, but you must complete your holiday before your children reach the age of 5.

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What other requirements do I need to meet?
You must be able to demonstrate to the Visa Officer that you:

• Have the means to pay for your return or onward journey from the UK when your working holiday is over;
• Are able to support and accommodate yourself during your working holiday in the UK without recourse to public funds;
• Intend to take employment as an integral part of a working holiday in the UK (There are no longer any restrictions on the type of work you can do and how long you can work for. However, work alone must not be the sole reason for wanting to go to the UK. );
• Intend to leave the UK when your working holiday is over;Have not been to the UK before as a working holidaymaker.

An air ticket is not required as part of the application. By all means make a provisional booking, but do not purchase your ticket before you obtain your entry clearance.  We cannot be held responsible for funds lost because of an unused ticket.

DO NOT leave it until the last minute to apply. Visa can be issued for up to three months in advance of your intended date of arrival in the UK .

Will I need to be interviewed?
Most applications will be processed on paper.  However, the Visa Officer might find it necessary to speak to you in greater depth, in which case we will contact you to arrange a personal interview.  Interviews can only be held in Pretoria . They cannot be conducted over the telephone.

What happens after my Visa is issued?
The Visa will be made valid from your intended date of arrival in the UK and will expire two years afterwards. Once issued, the dates cannot be changed. If, because of flight availability, you are not able to enter the UK on your intended date of arrival, you can arrive afterwards, but not before.

During this two-year period you can leave and enter the UK as often as you want. You must finally leave on or before the expiry date on the Visa.

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