VISA CHANGES – The Good News & The Bad News
From Autumn this year, the Working Holidaymaker Visa will be replaced by the new Tier 5 visa and is to be known as the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
In order to obtain a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa, applicants will need to accrue 50 points.
· 30 points will be for a sponsorship certificate from the applicant’s home country, (though it is likely that Australian and New Zealand citizens are likely to be exempt from this as these countries offer a similar scheme for young British people.)
· 10 points for being aged between 18 and 30 years
· 10 points for having £1600 in the bank
Existing holders of a Working Holidaymaker Visa will not be able to change to a YMS visa and the conditions of these visas will remain unchanged, e.g. the maximum time allowed for working in the U.K. will continue to be 12 months.
BAD NEWS: Things are not looking too bright for the South African citizens as the U.K. Government will only allow in working holidaymakers from countries that offer a similar scheme for young British people. The South African Government does not have such a scheme in place and it does not appear likely that this will change. This is extremely sad news for the young South Africans, because if this situation does not change they will no longer be eligible to enjoy working holidays in the U.K.
GOOD NEWS: Those lucky enough to obtain new Youth Mobility Scheme visas will be allowed to stay in the U.K. for 2 years and WORK in any lawful job for the FULL 2 YEARS
We hope this information has been of interest to you and trust that this may assist you in your future recruitment of staff.