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Work UK

Working holidays in the UK

Arrival set-up with 5 nights in London

Take the bother out of arriving in Blighty! Live and work in the UK with visa advice, hostel nights and help sorting all the nerdy tax and bank account stuff.

Formerly known as BUNAC Work UK – same experience, new name

Option to pre-arrange a hospitality job before you arrive

Work in most sectors anywhere in England, Scotland, Wales + N Ireland

Bottom’s up

Why do a working holiday UK?

Home to music-mad cities, chocolate-box countryside and thousands of years of history – the UK may be pint sized, but it packs a punch. 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 either two or five years to work in the UK.

It would say on the tin...

What is Work UK?

London can feel like a crazy town when you land – full of escalator etiquette, rush hour rules and confusing beer temperatures (by confusing, we mean warm). Run by our JENZA London HQ, our independent starter pack helps take the stress out of arriving on your working holiday. We include visa help and Job Hub access before you go – plus hostel nights, a job and travel planning session, National Insurance and UK bank account set-up, and more when you land.

Is it for me?

From USD $519

18-30 or 35

2 or 5-year visa

Work in 4 countries

Depart year-round

Pre-arrange a job

3 nights in London

Reasons to work in the UK

Job flexibility

A UK working holiday visa allows you to do most types of work. Giving you the flexibility to fund your time in the UK (and Europe side trips) with casual backpacker jobs – or establish your career with professional roles. You can even set up a limited company to work as a freelancer.

Work anywhere

A four-in-one deal, a UK working holiday gives you the freedom to work anywhere in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you’re coming from a Commonwealth country, it’s also a great opportunity to explore your ancestral heritage and live rent-free with the rellies.

Iconic destination

From the snow-dusted peaks of Scotland to the cider-filled countryside of England and wild surf beaches of Wales – the UK is pretty-as-a-picture. Embracing every food, music, language and job opportunity within its sandy shores, it’s an iconic place to live, work and travel.

Your Euro summer

The gateway to Europe

Just over two hours by Eurostar, you can be knocking off work in London and eating your body weight in Paris by 8pm. And with heaps of low-cost airlines out of the UK, spending your weekends clubbing in Ibiza, sailing in Croatia or skiing in the Alps.

Visa + cost

Who can apply for a UK working holiday visa?

To do a working holiday in the UK, you must have the ‘right to work’ via either a two-year UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa or five-year UK Ancestry visa. JENZA provides the guidance to apply for your visa, but all applications and payments are made directly through the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) website.

Don’t see your flag below? Check out our visa FAQs for more eligible nationalities or call us

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the two-year Youth Mobility Scheme visa you must be:

You must be aged 18-30 (35 for Canadians)
You must hold a passport from: Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan or Uruguay
Be able to provide proof of £2,530 in support funds
Be able to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) currently £1,552 for a two-year visa
You must enter the UK within six months of your visa application being accepted

Deposit

USD $115

Second payment

USD $404

Total

USD $519

What’s included

Step-by-step visa application guide
Backpacker job listings
3 nights’ dorm at Generator, London

Half-day orientation at JENZA HQ including

UK + Europe travel workshop
CV + job workshop
National Insurance + bank account set-up

Plus:

Welcome pub drinks
Sky Garden visit
Self-guided day trip to Brighton
1-on-1 pre-departure help for all the intel
UK Discord group for all the friends
10% off all Contiki trips

What’s not included

UK visa fee

2-year Youth Mobility visa £298 / 5-year UK Ancestry visa £637

Support funds

Proof at immigration that you can access £2,530

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

2-year Youth Mobility visa £1,552 / 5-year UK Ancestry visa £5,175

Flights

We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved

Travel insurance

You must have comprehensive insurance to cover your trip

Good to know

Balancing profit with purpose, JENZA only works for us if it works for others too. We donate 5% of profits to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund so that young people from under-served and lower-income backgrounds can experience working overseas. Find out more and apply for scholarship funding.

United Kingdom of weird

Things you may find funny about the UK

When it comes to century old traditions and cultural quirks, the UK does eccentricity to a tee. Or should that be tea? Here’s your intro to Morris Dancers, queuing etiquette and why you shouldn’t be offended if someone calls you a cock.

Jobs + locations

What jobs can I do on a UK working holiday visa?

Other than working in some medical fields or as a professional sportsperson (that’s your Premier League career down the tubes), you can work in any field for up to two of five years – depending on the visa you come over on. You can also set up your own limited company to work as a freelancer or on a self-employed basis.

Included in Work UK is access to our online Job Hub where you’ll find short-term casual jobs with UK employers – typically working in bars, restaurants and holiday camps (summer only). The cost of living in the UK can be high, so backpacker jobs can be a great way to help support yourself until you find alternative work. You can apply via the Job Hub before you go or when you arrive.

UK in numbers

947

AD is the age of the oldest pub in England

100

Million cups of tea are drunk each day in the UK

The countries you can work in on your WHV

3,000

The number of parks in London

What you can earn

Casual jobs

Hospitality and retail jobs working in pubs, bars, restaurants and shops are easy to come by in the UK. You can expect to be paid the minimum wage – currently £11.44 for age 21 and over – or above (especially in London where salaries are higher). It’s also customary in major cities for 10-12.5% service charge to be added to a bill – which is usually split between staff.

Career jobs

From hair and beauty to plumbing, fashion and finance – you can also work in industries related to your profession or trade. With every sector and size of business represented in the UK, the world is pretty much your hand-dived Scottish oyster. Your earning potential will be much higher, especially as you can work for two or five years with the same employer to really build up your career and connections.

Where you can work

Spotlight on the cities

Deciding where to live

When it comes to diverse places to live and work, the UK knocks it out of the park. (In fact, there are 15 national parks and over 100 protected areas of natural beauty). Geologically, it rocks – with patchworked green valleys, dramatic glacial lakes, and thousands of miles of coastline dotted with beaches. But it’s the historic towns and multicultural cities that really bring the UK to life. Home to almost 150 universities, UK’s cities are progressive, creative and packed with opportunities. In fact, you could stick a pin in a map anywhere between Aberdeen to Brighton and be amazed by the architecture, heritage and culture.

London

England

The starting point for most working holidaymakers, London is a one-off. The honey-coloured spires of Westminster, gilded hotels of Mayfair and dazzling regency terraces of Kensington are pure English stiff upper lip. And while Londoners embrace these traditions with gusto (who doesn’t want to drink Pimm’s in the park as soon as the barometer tips over 17 degrees), London is a rebel at heart. You only have to walk past the punk shops of Camden, street art of Shoreditch or drag brunches of Soho to see that anything goes here and everyone can belong. Expressive and eclectic – it’s easy to get lost in London, but even easier to feel at home.

Manchester

England

Britain’s Industrial Revolution started in Manchester, and it’s fair to say the city has been rebelling ever since. A city built on rock and roll, Manchester’s music scene is legendary. From sell-out stadiums to bare-brick dive bars, every band worth their salt has played here. As well as being loud, it’s also proud, with Canal Street being home to the largest LGBTQIA+ community outside London. When it comes to work, Manchester’s converted warehouses are a Northern hub and second home for some UK and international businesses – think London without the glamour or the price tag.

Edinburgh

Scotland

Edinburgh is magical. It has a castle for a start. A tale of two cities, the world-class university, handsome neoclassical buildings and stately Royal Mile speak to its past moniker as the ‘Athens of the North’. While the jumble of old town pubs, comedy clubs and raucous nights out are pure ‘Auld Reekie’ (meaning Old Smoky). Built on extinct volcanoes, Edinburgh’s mix of gothic glamour and cobbled streets are balanced by green spaces, city hikes and quick access to the beach. Like all big British cities, Edinburgh has everything going on – with job opportunities across most sectors.

Belfast

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s capital is fun, friendly and fast-talking. A city with a troubled past, today Belfast is perhaps best known for its nightlife, food and arts scene – centred around the Cathedral Quarter. With not enough nights or mealtimes in the week to explore the city’s atmospheric Victorian pubs, live music venues and field-to-fork restaurants, what you get from any encounter in Belfast is its genuine nature. You’ll also need to save some weekends to explore Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones’ scenery – home to giant-carved coastlines, windswept clifftops and ancient fortresses.

The wild card

Cornwall

Awash with miles of empty golden beaches, ice-cream coloured fishing villages and fun-loving surf towns, Cornwall is home to the UK’s most stunning coastal scenery. A picture-perfect county in the south-west of England, on a summer’s day it can seem more like Bondi than Britain. Lacking a big city, career related roles can often be hard to come by. However, if you’re looking for seasonal hospitality and tourism work – from surf instructing to working in beach cafés, restaurants and hotels – then you’ll find it in Cornwall’s innovative culinary culture and barefoot surf scene.

Upcoming events

Get hired or get the intel

Three girls laughing in the woods at summer camp

In-person camp hiring days | UK + Ireland

28 Jan Dublin | 01 Feb London

Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA over on our BUNAC camp page and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.

2 girls in red snow gear smile with blue sky in background

Work Canada | Everything you need to know

Virtual travel talk | 19 Nov @ 20:00 DST

Looking for a fresh start? The most liveable cities and the coolest ski resorts, Canada is the ultimate working holiday visa. Join our Canada Crew for all the intel on who can go, when you need to apply, and what types of jobs you can do. Plus, that age old question - summer or winter in Canada? (Both being the correct answer!).

View all events

We promise to wear pants

Book a video call

Your UK ride or die. We have a JENZA HQ in London, which means there’s nothing about living and working in the UK that we don’t know about (or are willing to eat/drink/do to find out).

How it works

How and when to apply

Departure dates

Our 4-day independent starter pack starts in London on the following dates: 18 Nov ‘24, 09 Dec ’24, 10 Feb ‘25, 12 May ’25, 08 Sept ‘25

When to apply

It can take 3-4 weeks to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa or UK Ancestry visa. Also note that some nationalities may need to enter the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot in order to be invited to apply for a visa. This usually opens in January. Jump to our FAQs for more.

Countdown to the UK

Apply + pay your deposit

Check your eligibility in the visa + cost section above for either a Youth Mobility Scheme visa or UK Ancestry visa. Then hit ‘Book now’ to create your online account and pay your deposit. You can then access your account anytime at the top of this page.

1 day

Apply for your visa

You’ll need to apply online and pay for your visa directly through the UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration) website, but we’ll provide you with the visa guidance and are on call if you have any questions. When applying for your visa, you’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and submit your biometrics at a local centre – find out more in our FAQs.

3-4 weeks

Book flights + insurance

Once your visa is issued, it’s safe to start ticking off your to-do list and book your flights and travel insurance. Make sure you let us know your flight details so that we can book in your hostel nights. If you’re arriving early and want any extra nights adding, just let us know.

1 day

Pay balance + search for jobs

Your balance is due eight weeks before you fly. Once you’ve paid in full, you’ll have access to our job listings where you can search for short-term casual jobs – mostly in London. You don’t need to have a job lined up before you arrive and most of our travellers prefer to wait. UK cities are huge, so it’s often better to find longer-term accommodation and figure out where you're going to be based before finding a local job.

1+ days

Pre-departure call

Before you fly, you’ll have a pre-departure call with our UK team to answer all your questions and make sure you’re UK ready.

1 day

Arrive in London

Our independent starter pack includes three nights’ dorm accommodation at the Generator Hostel in London. On day two, you’ll head to the JENZA HQ in Holborn where you’ll have your half-day orientation which includes a job, accommodation and travel planning session, plus help sorting your UK bank account and National Insurance Number. You’ll also have a pub meet up, visit to the Sky Garden rooftop (or alternative based on availability) and a return train fare to the iconic seaside town of Brighton. An hour from London, this is self-guided with plenty of time to explore the winding laneways, eat fish and chips, and hang on the beach.

Get it for free (ish)

Earn back your adventures

We know the most authentic voices come from our community. Whether you want to come on board as an ambassador, roadtester or as a one-off collaborator for blogs, vlogs or images – earn some extra $$ on the road with a content side hustle.

You shaped travel

What our Work UK roadtester had to say

Before you’re even let loose on one of our JENZA experiences, it’s roadtested by either a JENZA ambassador or member of our Youth Advisory Panel. Because if it didn’t fly with them, it’s sure as heck not going to fly with you. Here’s Tamara’s top tips on moving from Toronto to London.

Read

All the inspo and intel

Staff Stories / UK

The best places to eat in London

Rob Harris

Jul 14

*Disclaimer* prepare to feel hungry after reading this...

Travel Guides / UK

A guide to London's coolest neighbourhoods

Sam Hopkins

Jun 4

It can be hard to know where to begin in a city of 9 million. Right here is a good start...

Fun Stuff / UK

7 things you may find funny about the UK

Hannah Jeffery

Dec 29

We need to talk about Morris dancers. And queuing. And Cockfosters.

Girl with sunglasses standing in amphitheatre

Friends = benefits

Unlock 10% off Contiki when you book with JENZA

Looking for a little pre or post trip action? We've teamed up with Contiki to bring you the ultimate work and travel dream team. Check your online account to access your 10% off code.

Got questions?

We’ve got answers

Not found what you're looking for? Hit 'Ask a question' below and one of our JENZA Support Squad will come back to you - pen pal style.

Talk to us

UK experts

Call us for all the intel on who can go, when to apply and what jobs you can do.

What is a UK working holiday visa?

The UK working holiday visa is called the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (formerly known as the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa). It allows 18-30 or 35 year olds from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Hong Kong, South Korea, San Marino, Iceland and Taiwan to live and work in the UK for up to two years doing most types of work. Find out more about the eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa here

What is a UK Ancestry visa?

If you meet the ancestorial criteria and are a Commonwealth or British Overseas citizen, you might also qualify for a UK Ancestry visa which allows you work in the UK for up to five years. You must have enough funds to support yourself without help from public funds and housing, and be able to show that one of your grandparents was born in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. You can check the most up-to-date eligibility rules here.

What’s the age limit for a UK working holiday visa?

The eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa depends on your nationality. If you’re from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea, you must be 18-35 (inclusive) – meaning you must apply before your 36th birthday. If you’re from Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, Hong Kong, San Marino or Uruguay, you must be 18-30 (inclusive) – meaning you must apply before your 31st birthday.

You must be 17+ for the UK Ancestry visa.

Which nationalities need to enter the UK Youth Mobility Scheme ballot?

There are a restricted number of visas allocated each year for each country – although in reality, the quota for some nationalities are hardly ever met (Australia is allocated 30,000 visas, New Zealand 13,000 and Canada 6,000). If you have a Taiwan or Hong Kong (SAR passport) you’ll need to enter the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot in order to be invited to apply for a visa. This usually opens for 48 hours each January, find out more here.

All other eligible nationalities for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can apply for their visa online year-round.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and how do I pay it?

It’s mandatory for anyone staying in the UK for six months or more to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Paying the IHS means you’ll be entitled to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. This gives you access to emergency health care and means you won’t be charged for hospital treatment or further medical treatment if required. You pay the surcharge once you complete your online application. Once payment is received you can then submit your biometrics.

What does ‘submit biometrics’ mean?

You’ll be asked to provide your fingerprints and photo in person (‘biometric information’) as part of your visa application. You’ll book your appointment at a local certified centre once you've completed your online application.

Can I extend my visa?

If you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand, you're able to extend your Youth Mobility Scheme visa by 12 months after your 24-month period ends. Find out more here. For other nationalities, you cannot extend your visa. If you’re eligible, you can re-apply for a second Ancestry visa.

What kind of jobs can I do on a UK working holiday visa?

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is more flexible than most working holiday visas. You have the freedom to work in either England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and can work in most professions (other than as a professional sportsperson and in some medical professions), and for one employer for the full 24-months of your visa. Alternatively, you can do more casual work. Typical backpacker jobs include bartending, waiting staff, admin roles, retail, temp jobs and childcare (nannying or au pair).

Can I do a working holiday in the UK if I’m an EU citizen?

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, freedom of movement ended at 11pm on 31 Dec 2020. The UK has introduced a points-based immigration system that applies to anyone who wants to come to live, study or work in the UK. Click here to find out more. Currently, Irish citizens can continue to freely enter, live and work in the UK – without a visa, any form of resident permit or employment permit.

Can I do a working holiday in the UK if I’m a US passport holder?

Unfortunately US citizens aren’t eligible for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. However, if you’re a student or recent graduate, check out JENZA Intern UK which allows students and grads to do paid or voluntary internships in the UK for up to 12 months.

What’s the difference between BUNAC and JENZA?

Nothing! We’ve always been the same team running identical programs, just with different brand names in different countries. As you can imagine, this got crazy confusing. So in 2024, JENZA became the new name for all our working holiday and intern programs, and BUNAC went back to its 1972 Americana roots, and became our summer camp brand.

Ask a Question

Didn't see your question? Ask our team here.

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JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as JENZA, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.