Tier 5 - Working Holiday Visa

tier 5, lovingly known as the working holiday visa, now known as the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS). sounds scary! it’s not too bad if you’re from Oz or NZ as you are exempt from the 30 point certificate of sponsorship needed by all other applicants, from their home country. if you are however from SA, bad news kids. the UK government won’t let you apply for the new YMS. and that is simply because South Africa doesn’t have a similar working holiday scheme in place for Brits. SA is also unlikely to issue it’s peeps with the mandatory 30 point sponsorship certificate that is needed to apply for the YMS, so it's not looking good for SA citizens.

if you're not from SA though, you must have 50 points.

• 30 will be awarded for a certificate of sponsorship from your home country. It's likely Australians and New Zealanders will be exempt from this.
• 10 for being aged between 18 and 30
• 10 for having £1600 in the bank.

some other visa rules you should know.
• the visa lets you work and play in the UK for up to 24 months
• you can work for the entire 2 years of the visa in any job.
• you’re allowed to apply for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa as long as you go back home first, then apply.

something to note here guys, this visa application requires a biometric test. the biometric test is best explained by the government peeps below;

"All UK working holiday visa applicants, save for those benefiting from a limited number of exemptions and exceptions, are required to provide biometric data (10-digit fingerscans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process.
You will have to go to your nearest visa application centre in person to provide your biometrics. In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you will need to go to the British mission.

"Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information. The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered)."

useful links
working holiday visa eligibility
applying for the working holiday visa
Fees are cheaper than ever before.

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