Working Holiday Visa age limit up to 35 years

https://t.co/AQJgnBSvSG

Don Farrell -“I’m confident these deals will be in place by the end of the year”.

With all the turmoil in the UK I don’t expect this to be done anytime soon

Hi! What are the options for a 32 portuguese yo to get a long stay visa?

Thanks for the update again Bradley, I’m just hoping this is done by September next year for me personally as I turn 31 in august. As I plan to leave after I’m 31!

Lost all hope that this will get done this year…

Official response from DIT.

Thank you for your email of the 8 September enclosing a query about the Youth Mobility
Scheme and the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Our ground-breaking free trade agreement with Australia is the first trade deal negotiated from scratch by the UK since we left the EU. It will deliver benefits to people, businesses and communities throughout the country, and I am heartened to read that you want to take advantage of one of the many opportunity it affords.

As you set out in their email, the UK and Australia will make changes to the Youth Mobility schemes so that they are available to people aged 18 to 35 years inclusive for a total stay of up to 3 years. This also includes removing requirements in Australia for UK nationals using the Working Holiday Maker programme to undertake specific types of work, for example on a farm.

We are currently working with the Australian Government on the next steps required to implement these commitments and once further changes have been made to these schemes they will be publicised.

The operationalisation of the new commitments on the Working Holiday Maker programme is ultimately a matter for the Australian Government and we would recommend consulting the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for the latest visa information including eligibility requirements.

The UK and Australia will continue to review mobility arrangements, in line with their respective immigration systems, with the aim of further enhancing the ability for citizens to live, work and travel in each other’s country on a mutually advantageous basis.

And I can reassure you and your constituents that we are working to bring the UK-Australia FTA into force as early as possible so that UK citizens and businesses can reap the full range of benefits across the deal.

So reading between the lines, it’s up to the Australian Government to decide when it comes int affect.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/20/fears-australian-farm-labour-woes-may-worsen-with-loss-of-uk-backpackers-under-trade-deal

‘….

However, after the Coalition government signed the UK-Australia free trade agreement last year, British backpackers will no longer need 88 days of farm work to extend their working holiday visas. The relaxed requirements will not come into effect until at least 2024 as the deal has not yet come into force.

…’

Not sure where they are getting this ‘at least till 2024’ info from though? I can’t see it anywhere else online. Anyone else found anything?

Ok great, i currently have a visa approved and the arrival date is 10th December this year which i may struggle to do. I am over 30 now and from the UK but in theory if the age gets bumped up to 35 at some stage next year say; i’ll be able to re-apply for the first year visa again when that happens?

Thanks!
James

Hi

Can you apply for the first year WHV if you already were granted one before, but never actually used it?

Thanks!
James

Thank you Bradley

I have written to the UK Committee overseeing the report on the trade bill.

They were due to sit on the 14th Sept, with their report due out on the 22nd. But of course this is now put back due to The Queen dying.

I have made it clear that the Under 35 agreement should be implemented, as soon as the deal is ratified and into effect, as it would help labour markets, businesses and exporters.

I suggest those who want it implemented straight away do the same. scrutiny@parliament.uk

This is my hope too. I don’t personally mind if the necessary work requirement remains I would just like to get there ASAP.

Australian Parliament is suspended until Sept 20th so this may delay the AUKFTA report coming out.

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/09/State-Parliament-suspended-in-honour-of-Her-Majesty-the-Queen.aspx

Let’s hope once the FTA comes into effect the age changes immediately. I cannot wait a further 2 years

It’s part of the deal but I remember reading something about the removal of the necessary work requirement happening within two years after it’s potential impact has been assessed. Maybe it’s related to that.

Just realised I didn’t link the article. Here it is:
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/young-australians-the-big-winners-as-labor-government-expects-legislative-work-on-uk-free-trade-deal-to-be-done-by-end-of-year/news-story/f0c6f6fdad9db9c8f8dbe319478ae6f8

“Australians eligible for the UK’s Youth Mobility Program will expand from 30 to 35 years of age within two years of the agreement coming into effect”

I don’t understand why there would be a further delay on that aspect when that is part of the deal?

Thanks for the update! A couple of quotes worth keeping in mind:

“I am confident that by the end of the year we’ll have done everything we need to do to legally set up the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement,”

“The treaty has already been submitted to the British House of Commons and will be sent through the committee stage in the next two weeks”

So it looks like both sides are keen to get it done soon. But:

“Australians eligible for the UK’s Youth Mobility Program will expand from 30 to 35 years of age within two years of the agreement coming into effect”

Hopefully the age changes happen on the day it enters into force or very shortly after.

https://www.skynews.com.au/wp-content/themes/newscorpau-news-dna/dist/images/favicons/skynews-32×32.png

Looks like November or end of 2022….

For people who are desperate to get to Australia. Can you not just apply for the WFH visa now and go?
If we now can strongly assume the new rules will come affect some point in 2023. Which means it will come into affect during your first year of the WHV, which should mean you will be able to extend it for the further two whilst your there.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/international-trade-secretary-speech-to-australian-chambers-of-commerce

Quote from her speech

The UK is focused on ratifying the agreement as soon as possible.

The reason I have to head home tomorrow is because I’ll be presenting the enabling legislation for the FTA to the House of Commons on Tuesday – the next stage towards implementing this legislation, so our firms and citizens can start to enjoy its benefits.

I know your government is focused on moving ahead at pace too.

Hi!

Is it possible to push back on the latest arrival date of my first year visa? It says entry by 15 December 2022. Can i push back to January?

Thanks!
James

It’s talking about submarines..

Should have some update on Tuesday then…

“Trevelyan returns home on Saturday and will introduce legislation to the House of Commons on Tuesday that would make the British-Australian free trade deal law.”

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/uk-minister-vows-wide-ranging-support-australian-subs-89210344

I want to break down and cry because this is taking so long

Thanks for the info Bradley.

Sorry as you may not know and it’s still unknown or if the article said more to it.

But does this mean age range will be done by 2023 ?

As I’m hoping it gets done by august next year as I’m 31, looking to go in September next year.

Can you paste the article Bradley? it won’t let me read without subscribing.

Thanks