There is no maximum quota applied to the scheme. Working holidaymakers make up a significant proportion of the temporary migrant labour force in the United Kingdom. In 2000 over 38,500 people came as working holidaymakers to the United Kingdom.

Working holiday visas are valid for a maximum of 2 years. Any time spent outside the United Kingdom during the 2-year period cannot be aggregated to the visa period at the end of the 2 years.

Individuals are only permitted one working holidaymaker entry visa in their lifetime.

There is a mandatory entry clearance requirement for the scheme. This means that participants need to apply for this visa in advance to be eligible to enter the United Kingdom. There are some basic requirements of the visa you must satisfy if you are to be considered for the Working Holiday Visa to the United Kingdom.

These are:


you intend to take employment incidental to a holiday;
you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your visit;
you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds.

Please note a Working Holiday Visa holder may engage in some part-time study and short periods of full-time study whilst in the United Kingdom.