Visiting the UK on your OE? Know

your visa options

The UK is a great choice for New Zealanders heading off on their OE – it is a wonderful blend of cutting-edge innovation and deeply-rooted history. There is something for everyone. It is also an excellent base from which to explore other European countries. This document gives an overview of some of the visa options for those planning their OE. It will also point you in the right direction for more information. You can also visit us online at www.gov.uk/ukvi

What visas are available?

Just visiting?

New Zealand nationals do not generally need a visa to visit the UK for up to six months. While visiting you can travel, visit friends and family, and even conduct business for an overseas-based company.

For more information visit www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

You will need a visa if you are going to the UK to get married: you can apply for a Marriage Visitor visa at www.gov.uk/marriage-visa). You should also apply for a visa if you have a criminal record - you can do so at www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

Even if you don’t need a visa, it is highly recommended that you take supporting documents to show at the border. These include:

• Your passport.

• Financial documents showing you have sufficient funds available to support yourself, such as bank statements.

• Details of employment or studies (such as a letter on headed papers from your employer or education provider, confirming your role/studies).

Do you want to be able to work while travelling?

Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5 visa)

If you are a New Zealander aged 18 to 30 and want to live and work in the UK for up to two years, then you can consider this visa. It allows you to undertake study and work in most jobs. You do not need to have a UK job offer to apply for this visa. You can also leave and re-enter the UK any time during your stay.

Applicants need to have £1,890 in savings. You cannot apply for this visa if you have dependent children.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility

Skilled workers (Tier 2 visa)

This visa is for those people who have been offered:

• A graduate level job in the UK: www.gov.uk/tier-2-general

• A role in their employer’s UK branch: www.gov.uk/tier-2-intracompany-transfer-worker-visa/overview

• A job in a religious role: www.gov.uk/tier-2-minister-of-religion-visa

• A job as an elite sportsperson or coach: www.gov.uk/tier-2-sportsperson-worker-visa

In order to apply for this visa you need to be sponsored by an UK company.

UK Ancestry visa

If one of your grandparents was born in the UK, and you are planning to work while studying, then a UK Ancestry visa may be for you. These visas are for New Zealanders who:

• Can prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK.

• Can and plan to work in the UK.

• Are aged 17 or over.

• Have enough money to support and house themselves without support from public funds.

You can study, work and bring family members with you on an Ancestry visa. You do not need to have a UK job offer to apply. For more information, please visit www.gov.uk/ancestry-visa

You can confirm what visa type is right for you by taking a straight-forward online test at www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

How do I apply?Before you apply we highly recommend reading the guidance for your preferred visa type on the websites provided.

Once submitted, the UK aims to process non-settlement visa applications within three weeks.

Step 1: Go to www.visa4UK.fco.gov.uk to complete your application form, book an appointment to have your biometric information taken, and pay your visa fee and immigration health surcharge (if required) online.

To work out your visa fees, please visit www.gov.uk/visa-fees

For information about the immigration health surcharge please visit www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

Step 2: Before your appointment, prepare your application package. This should include:

• A printed and signed copy of your application form.

• Your supporting documents (original and a photocopy, and translations if the document is not in English).

• Your passport.

• A passport style photo.

Step 3: Visit the visa application centre at the arranged time to submit your application and have your biometric data taken.

There are three New Zealand centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

What happens next?We advise visa applicants not to confirm any travel arrangements until their visa has been granted.

Processing times vary according to the type of visa application and can also vary during busy periods.

If you applied for up to six months leave and your application is successful you will be issued with a vignette in your passport covering the entire period of your leave. You do not need to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when you arrive in the UK.

If you applied for more than six months leave and your application is successful, you will be issued with a 30 day vignette in your passport valid from the date of your intended travel to the UK (which can be a maximum of three months from your application date). You should enter the UK within that 30 day period.

If you are not able to travel during this period, you will have to apply for a further 30 day vignette in order to enter the UK. You can do this from outside your normal country of residence.

Once you enter the UK, you will need to collect your BRP within 10 days of your arrival from your designated Post Office. BRPs will not be available until seven days after the start date on your visa.

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-overseas-applicant-and-sponsor-information

If you have a question not answered in this leaflet or online, please contact www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-outside-uk or call 64-4-4880091