Youth Mobility Visa
In the UK the Working Holiday Maker program is referred to as the Youth Mobility Visa program under the Tier 5 of the UK’s points-based system for immigration. Like the Working Holiday Maker Visa version it is designed to facilitate cultural exchange and experience from partner countries.
The UK government allocates a number of places on the Youth Mobility scheme for each country and territory. The duration of your stay in the UK is for two years. 2013 quotas for the Youth Mobility Visa are as follows;
- Australia – 35,000 places
- Canada – 5,500 places
- Japan – 1,000 places
- Monaco – 1,000 places
- New Zealand – 10,000 places
- Republic of Korea – 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)
- Taiwan – 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)
Applying for the visa will only be blocked if the quota for that country or territory has been already reached. Check with the local British embassy or consulate before you apply. Under this scheme your national government will be the sponsor effectively saying you are a safe and sound person to enter into UK on this visa.
The great thing about the Youth Mobility Visas is it allows you freely to do whatever type work you want to do. It is a great way to help improve your CV and career experience.
As it is for two years, you will not be able extend the visas. Should you wish to stay on you would need to move to an employer directly sponsoring you. Studying on this visa is allowed but this should not be the main purpose of your travelling and living in the UK.