Work in the UK + 4 Day Welcome Week
$625 per person
It’s been a long workday, so naturally you gather at the pub with your mates. But this isn’t just any pub – every nook and cranny have a story and the establishment is older than Canada itself. Not bad for a Monday night, yeah? With the exciting nightlife, bustling capitals, serene landscapes, and the soaring power of the British Pound, it’s a brilliant time to spend up to two years living and working in the historic United Kingdom.
When going with SWAP‘s Working Holiday Visa UK, you will receive guided support during your entire stay, from the day you start your visa application to the day you fly home. SWAP makes it easy to secure a bank account, phone, accommodation, and work. Spend less time trying to figure out the complicated logistics and more time riding in double-deckers, deciphering accents, and downing pints across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland!
With Europe at your doorstep, your two-year work permit means you can fund your adventures, festival fun, and weekend travels to just about anywhere in the continent – think of all the incredible memories you’ll make!
You’ll come home from the UK with international work experience, new friends, and countless stories from the trip of a lifetime.
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Departure
Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM. -
Departure Time
Approximately 8:30 PM. -
Dress Code
Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and warm jacket.
From Our Gallery
UK Working Holiday + 4-Day Welcome Week
Living in the UK, a world financial and cultural capital, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so most of our participants go for it while they have the chance. London is a diverse and exciting city with some of the world's best sights, attractions and activities. It is a magnet for international youth searching for jobs because of it.
Day 1: Welcome to London!
Day 2: Walking Tour + Get Set Up
Day 3: Work & Travel Workshop
Day 4: Day Trip to Brighton
Thinking about taking the leap?
International travel is not without rules. Check these conditions to see if you qualify.
Age: You need to be 18-30 years old (you must apply after your 18th birthday and be issued your visa prior to your 31st birthday)
Nationality: Wworking Holiday Visa UK is open to Canadians only.
Required Savings: You need to have savings of at least £2530 saved up as funds to support you once you arrive, as requested by the UK Government.
Criminal Check: Must have no criminal record.
Health Insurance: You must purchase health coverage directly from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which will cover you for the duration of your stay in the UK (£940).
Registration Timeline: You should be able to travel approximately 8 weeks after you start the application process with us. Do not make travel or accommodation arrangements until your program coordinator lets you know that everything is good to go.
Duration: You can stay in the United Kingdom for up to 24 months.
Start Date: Pick the best start date according to your travel plans! 2022 start dates are listed in the "What's Included" section.
What's Included in the Working Holiday Visa UK
- Expert visa guidance and SWAP support to have your UK visa approved
- Our exclusive UK Arrival Guide, an essential, detailed guide that includes helpful information about your visa, pre-departure tips, and what to expect while living and working in the UK
- Online pre-departure orientation with our UK team
- 3 nights of hostel accommodation in London
- Access to WhatsApp group with travellers arriving in the UK in the same month as you
- Advice on temporary or permanent accommodation and information on red tape issues
- Assistance setting up your UK bank account, SIM card, National Insurance Number (NIN)
- Organized social events
- Mail holding and forwarding service
- London > Brighton return train ticket
- Support from our local UK staff for the duration of your working holiday!
Important Notes About the Visa and Extra Costs:
For your convenience, we have separated all visa and associated fees from the SWAP UK program, since they must be paid directly to the UK Government. Don’t worry though, we’ll still be there to help you figure this out during your application. The two-year visa is currently only £259!
Eligibility for a working holiday visa in the UK means you will be covered under its world-class National Health Service (NHS), paid through a one-time £940 Immigration Health Surcharge. This will cover you for up to two full years, and you'll be happy knowing that you have the best health care coverage at your service with the NHS, much like Canadian healthcare.
You’ll also need to attend an appointment in person at a UK Biometrics office, so make sure you can visit one of these cities when you apply: Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, or Ottawa. There are also monthly appointments in Halifax and annual appointments in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Toronto appointments are free, but the other offices do charge a user fee which is currently $100 CAD, which will include priority delivery of your visa and passport back to your mailing address.
We will lay out each step of this process so that it’s easy for you to understand. This visa can only be acquired once, making it (literally) once-in-a-lifetime (and totally worth it)!
Upcoming Welcome Tour Start Dates
2023 Dates
9 January
13 February
13 March
17 April
8 May
12 June
10 July
14 August
11 September
9 October
Working Holiday Visa UK is easy with SWAP!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you have as you get ready to take your first step.
Step 1: Make sure you're eligible to apply.
Step 2: When you're ready to move forward, sign up here
Step 3: SWAP confirms your registration and welcomes you to the program, sending you instructions on how to book the tour, apply for the visa, and what you need to prepare for your trip.
Step 4: We walk you through each step of your visa application, using our step-by-step instructions
Step 5: You attend your biometrics appointment at your nearest VAC office.
Step 6: Your visa gets approved, and your visa is sent directly to you from the embassy.
Step 7: We confirm your tour start date and send you your pre-departure guide for you to review.
Step 8: You arrive in London, check in at the hostel, and get ready for Day 1 of your arrival itinerary.
Step 9: You have the best week of your life, make new friends, and learn everything you need to know about living and working in the UK!
Upcoming Welcome Tour Start Dates
2023 Dates
12 June
10 July
14 August
11 September
9 October