8th July, 2008

There are many people currently talking with “authority” on the subject of South Africa and the upcoming changes to the Two-Year Working Holiday Scheme. The only known fact at the moment is that the UK and South African authorities are currently in discussions about the matter. No decision has been made whether or not South Africa will participate in the scheme.

The last changes we saw in the Two-Year Working Holiday Scheme were the ministerial statement of February 2005 restricting the total length of time that can be spent in employment to 12 months.

Currently the UK immigration system is undergoing an overhaul and we are seeing the implementation of a points-based system similar to those in use in Australia and Canada. But what does this has to do with South Africans and the Two-Year Working Holiday?

The new points-based system is launched in a phased manner. It consists of five tiers and sub-categories. In November 2008 it is planned for the Tier Five subcategory, Youth Mobility, to launch. The Youth Mobility will replace the current Two-Year Working Holiday Scheme.

The ground rules for the Youth Mobility Scheme are:

1. Each year the UK will publish a list of the countries that qualify for the scheme, together with the number of places on the scheme that they have allocated to each country.
2. A participating country will sponsor their nationals on the scheme, the said Government will either be automatically licensed to issue certificates of sponsorship or the country will be deemed as low risk and will be eligible for deemed sponsorship.
3. The migrant needs to be aged 18 to 30 and must be able to support themselves financially. You will need to demonstrate sufficient funds for the first two months following arrival in the UK (£1600)
4. The migrant must have no dependent children;
5. Must not have previously spent time in the UK as a working holidaymaker.
6. Spouses and partners will have to qualify and obtain entry clearance in their own right under the scheme.
7. The migrant can enter the UK for a period of up to 24 months and can take lawful work for as much of their stay as they wish.

Transitional arrangements for the Youth Mobility Scheme:

* Migrants who have been granted entry clearance as a working holidaymaker and;
* Those who have already been granted leave to enter the UK for periods over six months as working holiday makers;
* Will be able to enter and re-enter the UK and complete their periods of leave.