Working Holiday Visa UK For Australians

The Working Holiday Visa UK for Australian citizens, now referred to as the Youth Mobility Scheme, is a cultural exchange program that allows young Australians between the ages of 18-35 to live, work, and travel freely around the United Kingdom.

It has helped deepen the relationship between the two countries by enabling Australians to experience life in another country.

It helps to:

• Foster cultural exchange between UK citizens and Australians.
• Allow Australians to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
• Allow Australians to gain work experience in various approved job roles.

It is important to note, that as of July 1, 2024, the UK’s Youth Mobility Visa now allows Australians to stay in the UK for up to 24 months, up from only 12 months previously.

The eligible age range has also increased, now Australian passport holders from the ages of 18 and 35 years can apply, the previous limit was 30 years old.

In this guide, we cover the eligibility requirements, and the steps involved in how to submit your application, including what documents you will need to fulfil, and what fees you must pay.

If you need help with your visa applications, reach out to an immigration advisor from Total Law. Contact us at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

Page Contents

• An Overview Of The UK Working Holiday Visa For Australians
• UK Working Holiday Visa Requirements
• Documents Needed To Apply
• How To Apply For A UK Working Holiday Visa From Australia
• The Processing Time And Visa Fees
• Length Of Stay On A UK Working Holiday Visa
• Our Immigration Team Can Help You
• Frequently Asked Questions

When applying, Working Holiday subclass 417 Visa applicants will need to ensure they fulfil the eligibility requirements. They typically include;

• Being aged between 18 and 35 years old at the time of your application.
• Hold a valid Australian passport with enough validity left to accommodate your stay.
• Having at least £2,530 (AUD $4,900) in savings in a bank account in your name.
• Having a valid return ticket back to Australia or the money to purchase one.
• Agreeing not to bring any dependent children or family members.
• Not have previously entered the UK on a subclass 417 or 462 visa.
• Be in good health and have no criminal convictions.

While not mandatory, even though you will have to pay a healthcare surcharge to the UK Home Office. It is highly recommended to have private medical insurance as well to cover anything the NHS does not. You will also need to provide a recent police check certificate.

Before applying, all Working Holiday Visa applicants will need to fulfil a list of key documents, they must be up-to-date, valid and they are in English. If they are not it is important to get them renewed and if needed, translated into English by a certified translator.

Here are the essential items you’ll need to submit:

• Your Australian Passport, with at least 6 months validity left.
• Your passport must have some blank pages for visa entry and exit stamps.
• Evidence you have at least £2,530 (approximately AUD $4,900) available in a bank account to cover your daily living expenses until you find a job.
• Have a return ticket booked back to Australia or the money available to buy one.
• The UK authorities may also request a police check from Australia.

It is also worth mentioning that these requirements may change, so before planning your journey check the latest information on the UK Visas and Immigration website. Or call Total Law at +44 (0)333 305 9375 so we can help you with your Youth Mobility Scheme application.

To apply for a Working Holiday Visa to come to the UK, follow these steps.

Step 1: First, Check Your Eligibility:

Before you begin applying for this visa, double-check that you can meet the eligibility criteria. This includes:

• Being aged between 18 and 35 years old.
• Holding a valid Australian passport.
• Being in good health.

Step 2: Gather The Required Documents:

Your next step is to prepare the documents including your Australian passport, and check it has a good amount of time left before it expires. Prepare your bank account documents.

You must also book or plan to book your return flight back to Australia, so you’ll need proof of this booking. Additionally, you need a high-quality digital photo that meets the UK Visas and Immigration specifications. These are currently:

• The minimum size is between 600 x 750 pixels.
• Photo file size must be between 50 KB – 10 MB.
• The image file format must be either JPG or JPEG.

Step 3: Apply For The Visa Online:

The next step is to create an account at the UK’s Visa and Immigration online portal. After doing this, choose your visa and complete the application form.

Make sure you take your time to read it thoroughly and answer the questions accurately. After that, you will need to upload your documents and make sure they are in the correct format.

After completing the form for the visa you are required to upload your documents and they must be in the correct format. Make sure to double-check everything before moving on.

Step 4: Pay The Visa Application Fee:

Once you complete the application form and upload your documents, you will need to pay the application fee. The application fee is £298.

Step 5: Biometric Enrolment (if required):

You might need to attend an appointment at your local visa application centre in Australia. Where you’ll need to provide your fingerprints and a photograph as part of the application.

Step 6: Wait For A Decision:

After completing your application for the youth mobility visa UK, you’ll need to wait for a decision, if you have done everything right you can expect to receive it within 3 weeks.

Once it has been processed, the UK Home Office will contact you with their decision. If they request further information make sure to be prompt in your reply, so as not to add more time.

If successful, you will be notified of where and when to pick up your new visa. If it was rejected they will let you know the reasons for this and how you can appeal.

Processing times for a working holiday visa is 3 weeks. Factors that can affect this, include:

• When applying during peak seasons when there are high volumes of applications.
• If there are additional requirements or you have not provided all of the documents.
• If you need to attend a biometric appointment, it can add additional time to book this to be done and the overall process.

It is worth noting, that as of October 2023, the UK Visas and Immigration website states it aims to process 90% of applications within 3 weeks.

If you wish to speed up the time it takes there are a number of things you can do. Firstly, for an additional fee, you can opt for priority processing, for this you’ll need to pay £500. It is also wise to start preparing for it well before you plan to go to the UK.

A summary of working holiday visa fees:

If you are awarded the UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, it means you can stay and work in the UK legally for up to two years. For example, if you arrive in the UK on January 1st, 2025, your visa will expire on December 31st, 2026, which is exactly 24 months later.

Also, with the Working Holiday Visa (Mobility Scheme visa) you can only work for the same employer for six months in total during the 24 months.

For example, Working Holiday Visa holders can work for one employer for six months, at which point they must then switch jobs to another employer for six months, and so on.

You cannot extend this permit either, so if you wish to stay longer you will need to apply for another visa. Some of the suitable visas include the UK Ancestry Visa, the Skilled Worker Visa, and the Student Visa.

Which visa you are able to apply for will ultimately depend on your circumstances, what skills you have, and your plans in the UK.