Working Holiday Maker
The working holidaymaker scheme allows nationals of participating Commonwealth countries, British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, or British nationals (overseas) who are aged between 17 and 30 to come to the United Kingdom for a holiday of up to two years. You will be allowed to work, but the holiday must be the main reason for your stay in the United Kingdom and the work you do must be a minor part of this.
You may work for a total of up to half the time of your stay. You may choose when to work and when to take your holiday breaks, but if you work for a total of more half of your stay you will be breaking the conditions of your working holidaymaker visa. Your visa will be valid for up to two years from the date you arrive in the United Kingdom, and any time you spend outside the United Kingdom during that time will count as part of your permitted stay here.
While you are in the United Kingdom on a working holidaymaker visa, you can take most types of work, including voluntary work. However, you may not establish any type of business or to provide services as a professional sportsperson. Any other type of professional work is permitted.
You cannot extend your stay as a working holidaymaker, but you may be eligible to switch once you have been in the UK for 12 months. You may be able to stay by switching into work permit employment only where your occupation is on the list of designated shortage occupations. This list can be obtained from the BIA work permits website. You may also switch into the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), if you meet the requirements for this category.
