Dreaming of a British working holiday?
Whether you’re looking to experience UK life, gain international work experience, or travel while earning, this guide will help you understand your eligibility to live and work in the UK.
To take part in a UK working holiday program with The UK Hospo Co, you must hold or be eligible for one of the following:
- UK Youth Mobility Visa
- UK Ancestry Visa
- British Passport
If you’re unable to obtain one of these, unfortunately, you’re not eligible for a UK working holiday at this time. Below is a breakdown of each option to help you find the best path forward.
UK Youth Mobility Visa
The UK Youth Mobility Visa is the most popular option for Australians, Kiwis, and other eligible nationals looking to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must be aged 18–30, or 18–35 if you’re a citizen of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Korea
- Must hold a valid passport from one of the following countries or territories:
- Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Monaco, San Marino, Iceland, Andorra, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong
- If you’re from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, you must enter and be selected in the Youth Mobility Ballot Scheme:
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/youth-mobility-scheme-visa-ballot-system
- You must have £2,530 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before applying
- You can apply for this visa up to 6 months before your planned travel date
Visa Costs:
- Application fee: £319
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year – £1,552 total for the 2-year visa
This surcharge gives you access to the UK’s public healthcare system (NHS) during your stay.
Is this visa right for you?
Yes – if you’re looking to spend 1–2 years working and travelling across the UK, this is the ideal visa.
More info on UK Youth Mobility Visa Eligibility
UK Ancestry Visa
If you’re a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of Zimbabwe, and one of your grandparents was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland (before 31 March 1922), you may be eligible for an Ancestry Visa.
You must:
- Be aged 17 or older
- Have a grandparent who meets the birth requirements above
- Plan to live and work in the UK
- Have enough money to support yourself without needing public funds (e.g. savings or a job offer)
- Provide evidence such as bank statements or a job plan
Visa Costs:
- Application fee: £682
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year – £5,175 total for the 5-year visa
This allows access to free public healthcare through the NHS during your stay.
Is this visa right for you?
It’s more expensive, but allows you to stay for 5 years with the potential to apply for permanent residency. Ideal if you’re considering a long-term future in the UK.
British Passport (UK Citizenship)
If you have a parent who was born in the UK, or in some cases if you were born there yourself, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship and receive a British passport.
Why choose this path?
A British passport gives you unlimited work rights and the ability to live in the UK long-term, without any visa restrictions.
Eligibility depends on your birthplace, your parents’ citizenship, and the date you were born. Rules vary, so it’s best to check official guidance or speak to a visa expert.
Irish Passport Eligibility
If you hold an Irish passport, you don’t need a visa to live and work in the UK — you have an automatic right to work thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) agreement between the UK and Ireland.
This makes it one of the simplest ways to move abroad. With an Irish passport, you can:
- Live and work in the UK indefinitely
- Access public healthcare (NHS)
- Open a UK bank account and apply for a National Insurance Number
- Join our program without applying for a visa
If you’re eligible for Irish citizenship through a parent or grandparent, this could be a great route to consider.
Tip: Unsure if you qualify for an Irish passport? You might be surprised — it’s worth checking!
Need Help Applying?
Our trusted visa partners at Restless World are experts in UK Working Holiday and Ancestry Visas.
👉 Contact Restless World for personalised support.
In Summary
If you’re looking to live and work in the UK, there are three main routes:
- The UK Youth Mobility Visa for a 1–2 year stay
- The UK Ancestry Visa if you have British heritage and want to stay longer
- A British passport if you’re eligible for UK citizenship
Let The UK Hospo Co help make your British working holiday a reality.
