In response to numerous questions from graduates on my recent trip to Australian Universities I have summarised the types of Visa's Australians can apply for.  This information is for Australian Citizens and is current as of April 2007.  Do get in touch with me if you have any questions or have a further look at the British High Commission website in Canberra or for your countries version of this.  I hope that by knowing about the type of Visas available for work in the UK that this will aid in planning your travels to the UK.  Importantly in the case of the Working Holiday Visa, you'll need to plan this before you turn 31 and are unable to take advantage of the scheme anymore.

Australian Visa Information - April 2007

The British High Commission in Canberra is where about 40000 visa applications per year are issued from.  You can apply visa post or online.  The website is http://bhc.britaus.net.  To apply for a visa at the British High Commission, you must be residing in Australia at the time of application. Those currently outside of Australia must contact their nearest British High Commission / Embassy.

Here is a brief summary of the types of visas that entitle you to work in the UK.  If you have a UK or EU Passport already then you already have entitlement to live and work in the UK and Europe.

Working Holiday Maker
The Working Holidaymaker Scheme is an arrangement where a person aged between 17 and 30 can come to the UK for an extended holiday of up to two years. You can work but only if this is not the main reason for your stay. The holiday should be the main reason for your stay.
How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker? You must be able to show that you:

• are a Commonwealth citizen, a British Overseas Territories citizen, a British Overseas citizen or a British National (Overseas)
• are aged between 17 and 30 (inclusive)
• want to come to the UK for an extended holiday, and intend to take employment as part of your holiday for no more than 12 months during your stay
• do not intend to set yourself up in or run a business, or work as a professional sportsperson during your stay
• are single, or that you are married to, or the civil partner of someone who also qualifies as a working holidaymaker and you plan to take the working holiday together
• do not have any dependent children aged five or over, or who will be five before your holiday ends
• can support yourself and live in the UK without needing any help from public funds
• have not spent time in the UK on a previous working holidaymaker visa, and
• intend to leave the UK at the end of your holiday.

UK Ancestry Visa
This entitles you to take or seek employment in the UK without requiring a Work Permit for a period of up to five years.
Do I qualify for UK Ancestry? You will qualify if you can show that:

• you are a Commonwealth citizen
• you are aged 17 or over
• you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Mann
• you have a grandparent that was born in what is now the Republic of Ireland prior to 31 March 1922
• you are able to work and intend to do so in the UK
• you can support yourself and any dependants, and live without needing any help from public funds

Work Permits
Work permits are issued by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate. A work permit relates to a specific individual and a particular job. The work permit scheme enables UK employers to recruit or transfer key personnel from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) while safeguarding the interests of the resident labour force in the UK. Work permits may also be issued to overseas nationals to enable them to come to the UK for training or work experience.
You cannot apply directly for a work permit. This has to be done on your behalf by an employer in the UK who wishes to employ you. 
(Teaching Personnel does not currently assist with Work Permit Applications or to help find you an employer for a Work Permit, unless you are already in the UK on a Visa entitling you to work)

Highly Skilled Migrant
The programme is designed to allow highly skilled people to migrate to the United Kingdom to look for work or self-employment opportunities.
HSMP is a points-based immigration scheme. Points are scored in four main areas including Qualifications, Past Earnings, Age Assessment, UK Experience.

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Kathy Elvin, International Team Leader, Teaching Personnel
Email: kathy.elvin@teachingpersonnel.com
Website: www.teachingintheuk.com