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In this page you will find
the necessary information on Working Holiday Makers visa
of UK. In spite of all our efforts if there is still any
lackage of information then please do not hesitate to
contact us. We will be happy to provide any sort of
information that you may require.
INTRODUCTION
The Working Holidaymakers Visa enables citizens of
Commonwealth countries aged between 17 and 30 to come to
the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years and
also gives permission to work. All intending Working
Holidaymakers must obtain an entry clearance Certificate
(visa) prior to traveling to the UK and this must be
obtained in their home country.
This visa is for young
commonwealth citizens which includes Bangladesh as well.
On this visa, you can do any type of work while you are
in UK.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS & CONDITIONS
You
have to be a Commonwealth Citizen between the ages of 17
and 30. You can come to the UK for an extended holiday
for up to two years and can take up any form of work.
This two year period starts as soon as you enter the UK
on this status and will last exactly two years. For
example, if you enter the UK for six months and then
decide to spend the following one and half years outside
the UK you will have used up your two years as a working
holidaymaker.
You will be expected to be on holiday for at least part
of your time in the UK over two years. You should take a
holiday at some point during the two year period. If you
are an employee under employment law you will have to
take a holiday anyway!
You can take on any type of work in the UK. Previously,
you were only supposed to work half of the time during
the two years and only in quite low level jobs. Now you
can take on any part-time or full-time job. You should
have planned your employment so that it is an integral
part of your working holiday. For example, you may have
decided that you wish to spend some time in London and
so also wish to find work in London.
You should be single, or
are married to someone who also qualifies as a working
holidaymaker and wish to both be working holidaymakers.
You do not have any
dependent children who are aged five years or over, or
who will be five before the end of the two years as
working holidaymaker.
You should have enough
funds to support yourself until you find work without
requiring public funds. You should probably have enough
money to support yourself for the first month.
You should have planned
your employment so that it is an integral part of your
working holiday. For example, you may have decided that
you wish to spend some time in London and so also wish
to find work in London.
You should be single, or
are married to someone who also qualifies as a working
holidaymaker and wish to both be working holidaymakers.
You do not have any
dependent children who are aged five years or over, or
who will be five before the end of the two years as
working holidaymaker.
You are able to pay for a
return ticket or have at least enough money to go onto
another destination.
You intend to leave the UK
at the end of your working holidaymaker status. It
should be noted that if while in the UK you decide to
change your mind and stay longer there may be a number
of different options. You may be able to come under the
work permit scheme or some other category under the
immigration rules.
You can switch to being a
work permit holder after one year in the UK. However,
you should note that work permits are normally only
issued for high level jobs and where the employer can
show that there is a shortage of people to fill the
vacancy.
A working holidaymaker
cannot apply in the UK to vary his status to work permit
holder, business person, self-employed person, personal
of independent means or investor, or fiancée. If the
working holidaymaker is a non-visa national, they can
apply to vary their status to that of student.
You can only stay in the UK
for two years as a working holidaymaker, from the date
you first enter the UK in this category. We will count
any time you spend outside the UK during that period as
part of the two years.
There are now no
restrictions on the type of work you can do.
If after spending two years
in the UK you may be in a position to stay longer. There
are many working holidaymakers who remain in the UK on
an UK work permit, on the basis of marriage, as an
unmarried partner, as a student, etc.
WORKING UNDER WHM VISA
You can now take on any type of work in
the UK.
You can take on any part-time or full-time job.
You should take a holiday at some point during the two
year period. If you are an employee under employment law
you will have to take a holiday anyway!
You can switch to being a work permit holder after one
year in the UK. However, you should note that work
permits are normally only issued for high level jobs and
where the employer can show that there is a shortage of
people to fill the vacancy
VISA REQUIREMENTS
You must apply for the WHM visa at local
British High Commission. You cannot apply to remain as a
working holiday maker from within the UK.
You will have to meet the
particular requirements at the British High Commission.
It has in the past been the case that it has been easier
to gain entry in a Country with a high average standard
of living. It remains to be seen if following the
changes in 2003 there will be more working holidaymaker
applications from people in poorer Countries.
If your visa is granted
there will be an endorsement in your passport granting
you leave to enter the UK. This is called an entry
clearance certificate. You can request that this visa is
valid for up to three months.
It is probably a good idea
to have a copy of your visa application with you in your
hand luggage when you arrive in the UK in case you are
questioned by an immigration officer.
WHM VISA APPLICATION
PROCEDURE
The procedures will vary depending on where you apply.
You should check with the relevant UK Embassy or
Consulate. Generally the following will be needed:
You will need to complete form the
non-settlement visa form. If you have young children
that meet the requirements for entry these can be
included in the same form
If you have a
spouse/partner who wishes to apply and meets the
requirements he/she should also complete the form.
You should have a valid
passport or travel document.
You will need to provide 2 or three
passport photographs depending on the Country where you
apply.
You should pay the visa fee
which is non-refundable and is normally paid in the
local currency. The particular British Embassy or
Consulate will have further details of this.
You may or may not be asked
for interview. This will depend on the practice at the
relevant British Embassy or Consulate or on your
particular circumstances.
You may be asked for
information about your financial position. This could be
evidence of money in a bank account, etc.
You may be asked for
evidence that you have made firm travel plans. For
example, evidence that you have deposited money with a
travel agent.
For
complete information please contact our office
personally during week days from 10.00 AM to 19.00 PM. |
