A working holiday visa is, basically, a travel+work permit, given to a person who wants to live in a particular country for a specified period of time. The WHM visa will allow the aspiring traveller to:
a. Live in the new country as a legal non-immigrant resident
b. take up work to ensure survival and to meet travelling expenses
MINIMUM CONDITIONS to qualify for this visa:
- You must be between 18-30 years.
- You should be ideally single, or married to someone who also is in the age group 18-30
- You should not have any dependants under 5 years of age
- You should have a minimum balance in your account to survive the first 2 months
- You should have a valid passport
SPECIAL CONDITIONS about this visa:
- Some countries (like Canada, Australia and from Nov 2008, UK) will accept applications only from citizens of those countries which has a similar WHM scheme.
- There may be an annual quota of intake. For example, the new WHM Scheme in UK (called YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME), has a quota of not more than 1000 visas per participating country.
- You cannot extend the WHM visa. It is usually valid for 6 months to 2 years, depending on the issuing country.
- You can shift to a different category of visa from WHM, if eligible, but it is a tedious and often expensive process.
- You cannot apply for a second time, if you have already WHM-ed in that country.
LINKS:
1. What is a WHM visa?
2. Who is a Working Holidaymaker?
A Working Holidaymaker is some one who is:
- a born traveler and loves to travel
- fully aware of the reasons why he want to be a WHM – not because he wants to work and earn more, but because he wants to make some cool memories
- is clear of his goals during his time in the new country and that he might have to work hard to achieve them
- reasonably healthy and doesn’t bother about extremities in climate
- laidback and adjustable to enjoy living in a different culture
- has some basic qualifications (high school graduation, bartending, typing, etc.), so that he can survive wherever he goes
- good in planning and money management skills, so that he can enjoy traveling in his host country
- eager to make new friends in his host country
- knows at least basic cooking, to survive during the initial weeks
- willing to work on any job, even as a cleaner/janitor
- has enough savings at all time (or at home country) to buy his ticket home, if things become too difficult
3. Countries with WHM schemes
WHM visas are usually offered under agreements between certain countries, to encourage travel and cultural exchange between their citizens. Listed below are the countries that currently have a Working Holiday Maker programs:
Argentina
The Argentine WHM visa is valid up to 12 months and is available ONLY to New Zealand Citizens.
Austria
Youth Workers Exchange Program, called Swap, available ONLY to Canadian Graduates.
Official link: http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/ottawa/bilateral-relations/youth-education-science/youth-exchange.html
http://www.swap.ca/out_eng/index.aspx
Australia
Valid for 12 months. Any kind of work is allowed, but work for more than 6 months with the same employer is not permitted. For eligible countries, click on the link below.
Official Link: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/index.htm
Canada
Citizens of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the US are eligible. Age limits are from 18-30 for most countries; 18-35 for citizens of Czech Republic, Italy and Ireland.
Some countries' programs specify that the applicant must be a full-time student; others do not. Please click on the link below to find out if you are eligible.
Official link: http://www.visabureau.com/canada/working-holiday.aspx
France
Available to Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_fr.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/article.php3?id_article=517
Germany
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan are eligible. Visa valid up to 12 months. WHM Visa holders may work, but each job can only last up to 90 days.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_de.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
Ireland
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.eu2004.ie/home/index.aspx?id=37636
Japan
Citizens from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, and New Zealand who are between the ages of 18 and 30, and citizens from the UK and Ireland who are between the ages of 18 and 25 may apply for a Japan WHM visa.
Official Link http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html
Hong Kong
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand And Ireland are eligible. Valid up to 12 months.
Official link: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_10.htm
The Netherlands
Citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.netherlandsembassy.ca/files/pdf/CanadaWHPrequirements.pdf
http://australie.nlambassade.org/consulaire_zaken/working_holiday
New Zealand
Available to citizens of Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.
Official link: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/
Norway
Citizens of Australia and New Zealand are eligible.
Official link: http://www.udi.no/templates/Tema.aspx?id=7367
http://www.norway.org.au/visas/workingholiday/workingholiday.htm
South Korea
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are eligible. Valid initially for 6 months and may be extended for another 6 months.
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_kr.html#WorkingHolidayVisas
Turkey
Available ONLY to Australian citizens
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/work_visa.html
United Kingdom
Most popular and sought-after country, due to a strong pound rate. Valid for 2 years, but visa holders can work for only 12 months. The UK WHM visa is available to citizens of all Commonwealth countries, but this status will change soon, as the current WHM scheme will close on Nov 27, 2008.
A new WHM scheme, called Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), will be activated on November 28, 2008. The YMS visa is valid for two years, and visa holders can work throughout those 2 years. More details here.
As of now, Americans and South Africans are not eligible for the new scheme. Expect updates frequently in this blog.
LINKS
List of Countries with WHM schemes
WHM Visas for UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Japan
4. A Working Holiday in United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, without doubt, is the most popular country to live as a Working Holidaymaker. It is the dream destination of may wannabe Working Holidaymakers. The main reason is of course the strong pound rate; however, the UK itself is a great country with varied opportunities for the adventurous traveler. With a medley of attractions like seaside towns (Cornwall, Sti.Ives), quaint villages (Wales, the Shires), cosmopolitan cities (London, Manchester), and the Highlands (Edinburgh, Loch Ness), the UK attracts anybody with an ounce of travel lust in them.
Many travelers gravitate towards London, since the financial capital of the world has huge opportunities for the working traveler. You can find countless working travelers, mostly Australians and Canadians, enjoying life in London as a waitress or a bartender. They work for a few months, save enough money and then travel, either inside UK or to other European destinations. (Though UK is currently experiencing a recession and this has put a dampener on aspiring applicants).
The UK Working Holidaymaker visa is valid for 2 years, but visa holders can work for only 12 months. Eligibility requirements are more or les the same as listed in the first post of this blog. The visa is available to citizens of all Commonwealth countries, but this status will change soon, as the current WHM scheme will close on Nov 27, 2008.
A new WHM scheme, called Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), will be activated on November 28, 2008. The YMS visa is valid for two years, and visa holders can work throughout those 2 years. This blog gives you information about applying to WHM visa in any country. However, if you want to know more about this Tier 5 UK visa for working holidays, extensive details can be found at this website:
http://www.intergate-immigration.com/uk-youth-mobility-scheme-tier-5-visa.php
As of now, Americans and South Africans are not eligible for the new scheme. Expect updates frequently in this blog.
Links:
5. The WHM Visa Application Procedure
STEP 1: Research about the visa
Different countries have different procedures. Let’s look at the UK procedure (I can talk about it because I have applied!)… We will assume that you are applying to UK as a holidaymaker.
The first step is reading about the visa itself. Go to the Official website, and read everything that is written about the visa. After reading it, you should know whether you qualify, whether you have (or can arrange) enough funds, and if you are excited enough to start preparing the documents.
If possible, take time to talk to a few visa consultants about this visa... I did, and it helped me a great deal.
I cannot stress enough on the importance of research. The Internet is your new best friend. Google the terms "Working Holidaymaker" and gobble up the results in the first 10 pages. Thoroughly read all websites and forums on the internet about this visa. One great forum link to read is Travellerspoint.com. (it's quite a lengthy thread, you might need days to read it fully, but it's worth it... only if you read the recent messages)
STEP 2: Preparation of mandatory documents
There are six basic documents you need to prepare first. To know what they are, go to the next post OR click at http://whmvisa.blogspot.com/2008/10/6-six-basic-documents-you-need-to-apply.html
Finished reading the post? Those are the basic documents you need to apply. In that order, start preparing documents.
Get your bank balance in order – no sudden deposits or withdrawals. Start taking printouts of pay slips. If you are friendly with your superior, get a NOC letter from him. This time is mainly to make decisions – are your ready to apply? What are the dates you want to travel? When do you want to make an appointment at the consulate?
Once you are sure about your plans, start researching about destinations in UK. Check out a cheap flight and a good hostel… using a credit card, you can block the rooms on tentative dates. All these will go into your application package, and prove that you are serious about holidaying in UK.
STEP 3: Making an appointment
Based on your country of residence, you can either make an online appointment or submit the application in person. Fore more details, go to http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx
You might or might not be called for an interview. It is better to expect it though, and not make any sudden travel plans in the next 3 months.
STEP 4: Preparation of application package
Documents needed to apply for a non-immigrant UK visa, as listed in the UK Home Office website:
- Clean, injury free thumbs (yours) – for the biometric
- A Valid passport, with at least one blank page
- A 45mm x 35mm color photo of yourself
- Completed application form (INF 15)
- Proof of finance available
- Detailed Holiday Plan
- Other supplementary, pertinent information (confirmed Flight tickets and hostel/hotel rooms, NOC from Current employer, Job offer after you return back, Property documents/FDs in your name etc.)
If your passport has limited validity, it is best to extend it before applying for the visa.
Some consulates have photo studio facilities (Chennai has one). You can get a passport sized photo there… if you don’t want to, you can find the UK visa photo specifications in THIS LINK and take one yourself.
Write a nice covering letter. Introduce yourself to the visa officer and write honestly about your intent to holiday in UK. Don't forget to give a declaration that you will be back to your home country when the visa expires.
First take a rough printout of the application form and practice writing on it with a pencil. You will lose your initial nervousness in this way, and you can start writing the original copy after you are relaxed.
All bank statements must be original and taken 2-5 days before your appointment date. Payslips are compulsory, you got to include them in the application package. IT forms, previous job history / reliving letters and sometimes, even degree certificates may be asked.
Your holiday plan needs to be 2 pages (minimum) and 4 pages (maximum). Be as detailed as you can.
STEP 5: Submit Application at local BHC
Put all documents in a folder and submit it at your local BC. Now, it is all over! You just need to wait for interview call. You can also check your visa application status online.
Processing times vary, depending on the country. India has horrible waiting period… months, sometimes even up to a year, I heard. Australia issues working visas in 2 working days (am so jealous!). It’s better not to put too much hope on this visa… if you get it, well and good, if not, you should not be heartbroken. And please don’t resign your job or sell your house before you get the visa!
The idea is to take it easy and enjoy the process of applying. ALL THE BEST!
Lastly, I would like to say that these are not exclusive to UK alone… you can follow these five steps to ease the application procedure, irrespective of the country you are applying to.
LINKS
Lisa's tips about applying to WHM visa
Old link about the WHM visa in UK
Official link about the new Youth Mobility Scheme in UK
6. Six Basic Documents You Need to apply
1. A bank balance of a min. 4000 to 5000 pounds, original bank statement shd be given.
The UK site says it is min. 2600 pounds, but I know lots who got rejected after showing that amount… so it is always better to show more. Even if you have a sponsor, the amount shd be in YOUR account... recently, my friend got rejected because her sponsor's (her father’s) money, over 10k pounds, was not in HER account
2. Detailed holiday plan
I mean, DETAILED... bcos if the holiday plan is very brief or general, the visa officers will immediately conclude that the applicant is not very serious abt holidaying in UK… they will decide that you want to go to work
3. Future job offer
from existing/new employer OR letter from your parent/husband/wife/fiancée saying that you will return OR similar (up to your personal situation)
4. A one-way flight ticket (mandatory) or a return flight ticket (excellent)
Yes, you have to do this, it’s an excellent way of proving that you are returning back. You definitely need to put aside the amount and take this step if you badly want to get the WHM visa. Many have got the visa without keeping this, but I am talking about current times where things are complicated, and esp. in India, they expect return flight ticket printouts.
5. Personal covering letter with a promise to return back.
This is important. I heard it from a lot of consultants that most applicants just keep the required documents, without even a polite introduction letter about themselves.
6. Proof of accommodation.
If you don't know anybody, a confirmed booking at a hotel or a hostel - for a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks - is more than enough. If you do have relatives' place to stay, get them to give appropiate sponsorship letters, including council tax documents. Looking back, I see that most of my friends had problems only when they showed letters from their relatives offering them free lodging and boarding!
The above 6 things are COMPULSORY, no matter what other tells you, you HAVE to have these in your documents folder (along with your completed application form, passport, and photos). Irrespective of which country you are applying for, these 6 documents MUST be there in your application package.
You are, of course, free to keep more documents that might help your case. Many say that a No-Objection-Certificate letter from current employer is a big plus (however, you can get it only if you have a good rapport with your superior!).
Other documents that might help are graduation certificate, PF account proof, savings scheme certificates, property documents or FD passbooks (preferably in your name).
7. How to write a personal covering letter
- introduce yourself (2-3 lines about who you are, what you do etc.)
- why are you going to UK? (what has inspired you to holiday in UK?)
- why are you going to uk at this time? (what about your job/study/responsibilities?)
- why should you come back? (include future plans/job offer etc)
- a check list of documents attached (optional)
- sign the letter with a nice declaration saying you are looking forward to holidaying in UK
For general tips, please see below after the sample.
SAMPLE COVERING LETTER
Given below is the covering letter I submitted to BHC in my application:
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OFFICIAL LETTER HEAD or NICE WHITE PAPER WITH A BORDER
Dear Visa Officer, British Consulate, Chennai:
My name is Miss. Rads Surname, Indian Passport No: 1234567, a writer with over 20 published books. I currently work as managing editor for ........, a famous children's magazine in India. I hereby seek permission to visit UK for a year as a Working Holidaymaker. Enclosed herewith are the necessary documents required for this purpose. The two main reasons for this working holiday in UK are:
Firstly - I have always wanted to visit the UK and by God’s grace, I’m finally in a position to do something about it. I am a published writer and the fact can be largely attributed to the literary diet fed to me in my teenage - Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie and of course, P G Wodehouse. … it will be an absolute delight to finally see those descriptions from my childhood come alive before my eyes.
Second - I have spent the past six years as an editorial assistant, a copy editor, a senior writer, and finally, a managing editor and right now, I’m at cross-roads of my career where I am ready to start my own firm. I intend to use the WHM visa as an opportunity to rest and re-charge myself for the challenge. As UK is a writer’s paradise, I’m very interested in tracing the history of writing in UK, which, I’m sure, will spur up my muse and induce me to write better.
There is also a very pertinent third reason - I am 28 years old and will be married soon. After marriage comes responsibilities like babies and home loans, so if I don't go on a working holiday in UK now, I may never do it in this lifetime! I want to make hay when the sun shines, as they say.
Thank you for your time. My track record will show that I do not abuse visas. I interned in Pennsylvania on a J-1 visa and I came back to my home country before it expired. I have lived in the US for 10 months, learning so much about myself and my host country, and I hope to have a much more enjoyable experience in the UK.
Sincerely,
Rads Surname
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GENERAL TIPS
1. Do not offer too many information in your letter, because it will give an impression that you are not mature. keep the letter short and to the point.
2. Keep the tone light and natural. Be honest. Do not show that you are desperate or too eager. If you have traveled abroad before, say it in a nice way that you love travelling and you always come back.
3. Include details about yourself in a good light - if you have won a award or fellowship or if you were something college, include it in a very nice way here. Link it with your decision to holiday in UK.
4. Your covering letter should not be more than a page. You can have the list of documents attached to it as a supplement page.
5. Last but never the least, you definitely need to edit the covering letter so that the grammar errors and the typos are removed. If your English is not the best, give it to an editor and get it edited. The British have an obsession for perfection, so it will be wise not to give them a covering letter with errors!
8. How to write a detailed holiday plan
Go online (see links below) or buy a guidebook on UK. Soak up all the information. I recommend talking to a few friends of yours who have been in UK. Or make a few pals on the net who are living in UK. Get to learn about the country, what makes it so special, what are the most important attractions.
2. Learn specific details about UK and it's attractions.
This will help you if you are called for an interview and the officer asks you where you want to travel. If the interviewer asks you where is Big Ben, don't say it is London - any child knows that. What you should say is that Big Ben is located in the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster.
And, if the officer says, isn't Big Ben located in the House of Parliament, you should say, yes that's true too, because the Palace of Westminster is also known as the Houses of Parliament
3. Include as many details as possible in your holiday plan.
It should be min. 2 pages and max. 4 pages. If it is well-detailed out, it will show that you have done your research.
4. Spread out your plan by months/trimesters
If you want to stay in UK for the whole 2 years, separate the years by semesters or trimesters. Indicate what you are going to do, where you are going to stay in each semester/trimester.
5. What to put in your holiday plan?
No, I am not going to upload my holiday plan here, because that would be like giving away everything on a plate to you - I should leave some work to be done by you! But I WILL tell you what I included in my holiday plan:
a. I plan to stay only one year, so I separated it as four trimesters, one spent in each country of Great Britian.
b. I specified which area of UK I will live and why I chose that place in that time of the year. E.g.: I put Scotland in July-Aug-Sept, because I know that Edinburgh Book Festival happens at that time. As I am a writer, it makes sense to include that and it also shows that I am committed enough to plan my travel like that way.
c. In each trimester, I put my budget - how I am going to survive, what kind of job I will take up, whether I will use any money from my bank savings.
d. In every trimester, I gave a list of 10-12 places I will travel in that region. I also specified the top 3 things I wanted to see experience in that region. For e.g.: I mentioned that while I was touring Scotland, I want to experience three things - stay in a Scottish B&B, attend the Edinburgh book festival, ride the lake where Loch Ness was suppesdly sighted.
e. Whenever I mentioned that I will be travelling around, I also specified in which hostel/inn I will stay and what mode of transport I will take, according to my budget. This will prove that I have done my research properly.
Lastly...
As you can see, doing all the above takes time, sincerity, resource and hard work. Contrary to what others say, I don't think you can get away with just writing down the names of a few places in UK in your holiday plan. You really need to research and decide, and you have to genuinely love travelling. Only then it will show in paper.
I spent two months on my research and subsequently, I could submit an intensive holiday plan. You, too, please spend more time in learning about UK and you will find that you have more to write in your holiday plan!
LINKS TO RESEARCH:
The following links will give you a good idea about UK as a traveller's paradise:
http://gouk.about.com/od/
http://gouk.about.com/od/
http://gouk.about.com/od/
http://answers.yahoo.com/
http://www.budgettravel.com/
http://www.helium.com/items/
http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/
9. So who am I to write about WHM visa?
Since I already had a good, well-paying job in my home town, this step was taken after months of thinking and planning...which is what you should do, too. I spent 2 months (May and June) scourging the internet researching about this visa, one more month (July) researching places in UK to prepare the holiday plan, and one more month (August) to prepare the financial/application documents. Only then did I apply last month.
My application is still under process and looking at the current economy crisis in UK, I am very doubtful of a positive outcome... I am based in India, and here, no one knows how long it will take to issue the visa. Some say 15 working days, some say 12 weeks, some even say 1 year (I know several who got their interview call 10 months after they applied!)... so I have not banked much hope on this, which is good for my sanity. But if I don't get my visa, it won't be bcos I didn't prepare my documents properly, at least I will not be sad because I have done everything I could.
So people, I request you to thoroughly read all forums on the internet, take time to talk to a few consultants abt this visa, think clearly if you want to spend a year in UK as holidaymaker bcos the job scene in UK is very difficult now… this is not a visa to apply in hurry, it’s a life-changing decision, lots of factors go into it, so please don’t do this in haste…
And please don’t consider the WHM as an easy way to get into UK, it is definitely not.. and that attitude somehow shows in your documents, and it’s very easy for a seasoned visa officer to find it out… it's not me who's saying this, I heard the comment straight from a visa officer, while watching an interview that was aired some time ago on an Indian channel...
So after careful consideration… if you still want to apply, then you can confidently go ahead and do it with peace of mind… :). I really hope that this blog helped you in clarifying some doubts about the WHM visa. ALL THE BEST!
10. A Happy Update - I got my visa!
Well, the BHC official have retained my covering letter and visiting card, but have returned all other documents I got back. I am very glad... now I can start making departure plans!
Now that I have got my entry clearance to UK, I can confidently say that this blog will give you a good idea of how to apply for the working holidaymaker visa. The words of advice here come from my own experience - I have compiled all the steps here for your reference. Hope they will help you in your application process. ALL THE BEST!
