UK Visa & Entry Information

To live and work in the UK during your gap year, get ready for an amazing adventure! Whether you have a British passport or need to apply for a visa, we’ve got all the information you need to kick off your journey.

For British & Irish Passport Holders 🇬🇧 / 🇮🇪

If you’re lucky enough to have a British or Irish passport, make sure it’s valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. If you don’t have one yet, apply as soon as possible! Processing times can vary considerably, so it’s best to action this right away.

For Visa Applicants 🌍

If you need a visa to enter the UK, please read the instructions below.

IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE

As part of your visa application, you’ll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This is a mandatory fee that is imposed by the UK Government. This fee allows you to access the National Health Service (NHS) for the full duration of your visa  while you’re living in the UK. Here’s what you need to know:

• Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Visa: £ 1,552.00
• UK Ancestry Visa: £ 5,175.00

For more details on the IHS, check out this link.

PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

Before you start your visa application, we just wanted to highlight that visa applications can be tricky, and even a small mistake can lead to a visa refusal. To make things easier, we recommend getting professional assistance. Restless World (who are based in Australia) offers great services to help you with your visa and British passport applications. Use the discount code LETZLIVE for a special rate should you wish to utilise their services. www.restlessworld.com.au.

HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR VISA

Ready to get started? Here’s a quick overview of the steps you need to take for your visa application. Make sure to read the sections that apply to your situation!

Important Tips

• Double-Check Everything: Take your time to ensure your application is accurate before submitting it. Mistakes can lead to declines, and you might not get a refund.
• South African Passport Holders: If you’re from South Africa, remember that you’ll need a Schengen visa to travel to most European countries. It’s best to apply for this visa before you leave South Africa to save time and hassle.

Visa Options

You can apply for one of two visa types:

1. Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Visa: Available for Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian passport holders who will be over 18 at the time of arrival.
2. UK Ancestry Visa: Available for those with a UK-born grandparent. 

TIER 5 VISA – (Youth Mobility Scheme)

Tier 5 Visa Application Steps

1. Visit: Visit: Go to this website and create an account to start your application.
2. Follow the prompts and when asked “Which route are you applying under?” Select: Youth Mobility Visa.
3. Complete Your Application: Fill out the application, check your details, and submit it.
4. Pay Fees: Finalise your IHS and visa application fees via credit card. Print your payment confirmation.
5. Book Your Biometric Appointment: You can do this in Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth) or New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch).
6. Prepare for Your Appointment: Bring the necessary paperwork to your biometric appointment. If you’re under 18, an adult must accompany you.

Helpful Hints for Tier 5 Visa

• Use your UK placement address when asked for a UK address.

At your biometric appointment you will need to provide the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with the following information:

• VFS Global Receipt (visa payment receipt)
• Current and any previous passports
• Evidence that you hold the equivalent of GBP £2,530.00 (for current exchange rates visit www.oanda.com). This must be in your own name in your own bank account for a minimum of 28 days. (Bank statements/letters will only be accepted if they are dated after (or the day of) your visa application has been lodged (not before)). *** PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS ZERO FLEXIBILITY ON THIS BY THE UK GOVERNMENT ***
• If you are under 18 at the time of application, you will need a letter from both your parents giving you permission to travel to the UK.
• The earliest you can apply for this visa is 6 months before your intended arrival date in the UK.

UK ANCESTRY VISA

UK Ancestry Visa Application Steps

1. Visit: Visit: Go to this website and create an account to start your application.
2. Follow the prompts and when asked “Which route are you applying under?” Select:  UK Ancestry.
3. Complete Your Application: Fill out the application, check your details, and submit it.
4. Pay Fees: Finalise your IHS and visa application fees via credit card. Print your payment confirmation.
5. Book Your Biometric Appointment: You can do this in Australia (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth) or New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch).
6. Prepare for Your Appointment: Bring the necessary paperwork to your biometric appointment. If you’re under 18, an adult must accompany you.

Helpful Hints for UK Ancestry Visa

• Use your UK placement address when asked for a UK address.

At your biometric appointment you will need to provide the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with the following information:

• VFS Global Receipt (visa payment receipt)
• Current and any previous passports
• Your UK-born grandparent’s original full birth certificate (or registry copy) Your parent’s (who has the link to your grandparent) original full birth certificate (or registry copy)
• Your own original full birth certificate (or registry copy) Marriage certificate for your parent your ancestry claim is based on (only required if your parent’s maiden name is not listed on their birth certificate)
• A bank statement to prove that you hold the equivalent of GBP £2,530.00 (for current exchange rates visit www.oanda.com). This must be in your own name in your own bank account for a minimum of 28 days. (Bank statements will only be accepted if they are dated after (or the day of) your visa application lodgement(not before)).
• A copy of your letter of appointment from your UK employer or a copy of your CV / Resume.
• If you are under 18 at the time of application, you will need a letter from both your parents giving you permission to travel to the UK.

The earliest you can apply for this visa is 3 months before you travel. More detailed information on this visa can be found by visiting: www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa 

Final Thoughts

Navigating the passport and visa process can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to an unforgettable gap year in the UK. We can’t stress enough the importance of – at the very least – considering the services offered by the team at Restless World to guide you through the UK visa process.this