Why do a working holiday UK?

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The UK may be pint-sized, but like all good (warm) British pints, it packs a punch. In many respects, it’s the fairy tale kingdom you imagine it to be – home to crumbling Medieval castles, ancient stone circles and regal stately homes. But within those castle walls, there’s a wild side. With a music and arts scene that makes history, a culinary and craft beer culture that sets trends, and a summer-long festival circuit that sells out box offices.

It’s also one of the most multicultural places in the world, with a renowned work hard/play hard attitude and plenty of casual or career job opportunities to improve your CV – and your social life. Plus, working holidaymakers get the royal treatment – with 24 months to work, or longer if you qualify for a UK Ancestry visa.

Open for business

Home to creative cities, quaint towns and biscuit tin countryside, a UK working holiday is a rite of passage for travellers. Our 4-day Essential UK program sets you up with everything you need to get your working holiday off to a flying start – including visa assistance, job support, hostel accommodation, UK bank account set up, and more.

COST AND INCLUSIONS

The need to know

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The need to know before you go

Who can apply

If you’re 18-30 and are an Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Iceland or San Marino passport holder, then we can support you with applying for a two-year Youth Mobility Scheme visa (formerly known as the Tier 5 visa). If you meet the ancestorial criteria and are a Commonwealth citizen, you may also qualify for a UK Ancestry visa that allows you work in the UK for up to five years.

Type of work

In the working holiday world, the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa is one of the most flexible. You’re not allowed to work as a professional sportsperson (that’s your Man Utd career over then), but otherwise you can pretty much do any job for up to 24 months – giving you the option to do casual backpacker work or more career-focused roles. You can even set up your own limited company to work as a freelancer or on a self-employed basis.

Where to go

A working holiday UK allows you to work in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you’re coming from a Commonwealth country, this can be an amazing opportunity to explore your ancestral heritage and live rent-free with the long-lost rellies. Most travellers tend to start off in London, where our BUNAC team are based to help you get settled in and set up with a job. But the UK is small, so travel around to find your work-life fit.

How to go

While there are plenty of job opportunities in the UK, the cost of living can be a drain on your savings and so it pays to get ahead of the competition when you land. Plus, anyone who’s ever navigated the London Underground at rush hour will understand why it’s better to travel as a team. Our 4-day Essential UK package includes three nights’ accommodation, 24 months’ job support, day trips, Europe travel planning sessions and more.

Who can apply

Type of work

Where to go

How to go

While we have BUNAC offices all over the world, we were born and raised in Blighty – which means there’s nothing about living and working in the UK that we don’t know. (Or are willing to eat/drink/do to find out).


We guide you through your visa application, and include all the working holiday essentials such as your National Insurance number.	We take the stress out of finding a job, with comprehensive job support when you land and for the whole two years of your visa.	Our London BUNAC team get your firmly in the friendzone, with WhatsApp groups, walking tours, day trips and nights out.