Changes to the UK Working Holiday Maker Visa

WORKING HOLIDAYMAKERS SCHEME UPDATED (20/06/03)
The Working Holidaymaker Scheme will be updated and extended, the Home Office announced today.
A number of changes have been made to the scheme to encourage young people from all Commonwealth countries to participate in the programme. These include:-

• raising the upper age limit from 27 to 30
• removing employment restrictions and
• after 12 months in the UK, if they meet the necessary criteria, participants will be allowed to "switch" status, letting them take up work permit employment.

Announcing the changes, Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said:

"Since the scheme was introduced, many thousands of young people have taken this opportunity to spend a two year holiday in the UK, while being able to work part-time to help support themselves. We are keen to encourage young people from all parts of the Commonwealth to take part, and enjoy the cultural exchange benefits, just as many young British people benefit from reciprocal schemes in other Commonwealth countries. These changes are designed to update the scheme and make it more accessible."

NEW VISA APPLICATION FORMS TO BE INTRODUCED (17/07/03)
New UK visa application forms will be introduced worldwide on 1 August.

The new series of forms will simplify the application procedure with just one form for each type of application. Though longer, the new forms are much clearer and should be easier to understand. They also allow the applicant to give more information with the aim that the entry clearance officers will be able to make more decisions without asking the applicant to attend for an interview.

The forms are:

• VAF1 - Non-settlement
• VAF2 - Settlement
• VAF3 - Direct Airsdside Transit
• VAF4 - Right of Abode

24 June 2003 - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
UK travel advice for those going to or returning from areas that may be affected by SARS.

Following advice from the World Health Organisation, the UK advice concerning travel to areas affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has been amended.
Previous advice asking travellers to defer their visit to Beijing, the last area to report ongoing transmission, has now been removed.

Although there are no current restrictions on travel due to SARS, this advice will be kept under regular review and may change.

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