WHAT VISA? FUN, WORK, BOTH?
Heading to the U.K. is a rite of passage for anyone lucky enough to be able to apply for a working holiday visa, now known as the Youth Mobility Visa. But this is not the only option.
The UK is also a great place for taking the next step in your career, building your international experience in a country with a variety of options and on Europe's doorstep. Gaining new experiences and travelling around the UK and Europe will complement your resume, build your confidence and give you tools necessary to make yourself unstoppable in your chosen career.
There is certainly a bit of red tape to work through, and some lucky people may have more than one option in the type of visa they can consider. What you should apply for will really depend on your long term plans. Following are a few options.
The Youth Mobility Visa: Previously known as the Working Holiday visa, this visa allows nationals from certain countries to live and work in the UK for 2 years or more. If you are an Aussie, Kiwi, Canadian or South Korean citizen aged 18-35 you can apply as long as you have not travelled to the UK previously on a Youth Mobility Visa. If you are from the following countries, you have to be 18-30.
- Andorra
- Iceland
- Japan
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Uruguay
- India*
- Taiwan*
- Hong Kong*
- Those who have BOCs, BNOs and BOTCs can also apply.
*other conditions apply
Aussies, Kiwi's and Canadian's can apply for the Youth Mobility Extension visa and stay an additional year.
This visa is really flexible, allowing you to work in most careers with the exception of professional sports, playing and coaching. You can travel in and out of the country
as many times as you like. Anyone fancy a quick ride on the Eurostar? You can be
in Paris in 2 and a half hours. Please note that any time you spend in the UK does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence) in the UK.
Other available UK visas include the Ancestry visa if you have a grandparent born in the UK. This is a 5 year working visa, with no restrictions at all on the type of work you can do. It is expensive, but if you spend the 5 years in the UK living and working, you can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK (permanent residency). After you have had ILR for a year, you may then be able to apply for naturalisation in the UK and a British Passport.
The Skilled Worker visa is available is many forms and is for those who work in an eligible job with an approved employer. The employer must be registered with the Home Office. You can work in the UK for up to 5 years on this visa. After this, there may be the option to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Before you look at the types of visas available, it is important to determine if you have any claim to British or Irish Nationality, or whether you might qualify for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. There are many ways in which you might qualify, but in general, if you have a UK or Irish born parent, their is a chance you might already be a British or Irish Citizen, or for those with British born parents, it is possible that you may have the Right of Abode without realising it. This is important, even if you are only travelling to the UK as a visitor.
Contact us and we will be happy to talk you through your options and ensure you make a successful application first time.
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