UK Working Holidaymakers Scheme Announcement

Positive Changes to UK Working Holidaymakers Scheme for Kiwis Announced

The British Government has just announced in its 2003 Budget that positive changes to the UK Working Holidaymakers Scheme (WHMS) will be made.

The announcement confirms speculation and proposed positive changes to the WHMS, expected since May 2002.

The British Budget 2003 (section 3.101) states: “The Government is also introducing changes to the Working Holidaymakers Scheme, under which young Commonwealth citizens can work in the UK for up to two years, to make it more flexible and responsive to labour market needs. Working Holidaymakers will in future be able to take up work in any sector, move freely between employers, and switch into work permit employment after one year in the UK.”

New Zealander and Managing Director of leading UK recruitment and travel advisory company 1st Contact, Mike Kaye, says it looks as though significant restrictions on the visa will soon be abolished.

“This means that Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders will be free to work in Britain in any role they like for up to two years. However there is still no detail on some of the more specific aspects of the Working Holidaymakers Scheme that are under review. We’ll have to wait until the revisions are officially announced by the British Home Office,” says Mr Kaye.

“However this Budget announcement is proof that positive changes are going to be made – and this can only be positive for young New Zealanders thinking about heading to the UK for their Big OE.”

Revisions are expected to be announced by the British Home Office in May. Revisions (as suggested in May 2002 by the British Home Office) are likely to include increasing the age restriction to 30 years, lengthening the visa to four years (currently two years) and allowing working holidaymakers to work in their chosen profession.

ENDS

For further information:

British Budget 2003 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk Refer to Item 3.101; Chapter 3: Meeting The Productivity Challenge; Migration

( http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/bud_bud03/budget_report/bud_bud03_repchap3.cfm#top)

b.. 1st Contact Group www.1stcontact.co.uk Mike Kaye Managing Director 1st Contact Group Currently in New Zealand and available for comment, please contact Georgie Bonifant at Coughlan Communications, 021 705 546

1st Contact Assisting more than 750, 000 clients over the past 12 years, 1st Contact is one of the biggest providers of recruitment and immigration services to New Zealanders, Australians and South Africans in the UK.

1st Contact focuses on providing recruitment (medical, teaching and general ‘unskilled’ employment) and banking facilities, as well as tax consultation, financial management, visa/immigration issues, money, shipping and telecommunications services.

1st Contact was established in 1990 by New Zealander Mike Kaye and South African Reg Bamford; has offices in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and employs more than 250 staff in its central London offices.

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