ME :)

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) which begins on the 27th November 2008 will now replace the old Working Holiday Visa. The new YMS is very enticing for citizens of the following countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. If you are aged between 18-31, want to work and travel around the world, then this is the visa for you.

I will now make a comparison of the two visas so you can see what the new visa is offering.

Previously the Working Holiday Visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years and you can only work for a maximum of 12 months. The YMS allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years and you can now work for the full duration, that is 24 months!

Not only can you stay and work for 2 years, the YMS has also cut the visa application fee by 50%!

If you want more information about this visa please visit the British High Commision in Australia website located at http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/

While we are on the topic of Visas, I am surprised that the UK are issuing and advertising these new Visas despite the growing concern of over-population in the UK. There has been alot of media coverage on the topic of immigration in the UK of late and the growing debate over how to stem the tide of immigration into the UK.

I believe most of the immigration is due to the influx of EU immigrants and thus have introduced the new points based system for Non-EU immigrants coming into the UK. They are basically saying, if you do not meet the points criteria then you are not welcomed into the country unless you are there as a tourist for a short term holiday.

If you feel that the UK is not your cup of tea (excuse the pun), then why not try living and working in Canada? They offer working holiday visas for Australian citizens that are valid for 2 years and you can work for the full duration.

smiles