Need to know

One visit to Britain is never enough. Many travellers from all over the world decide to settle in for a longer stay to put down roots, find work and explore more of the country.

The first step is to get your paperwork sorted. If you want to stay longer you’ll need to ensure you have the right visas to study or work. 

Visa regulations are always subject to change so it’s essential to check with your local British embassy, high commission or consulate before leaving home. For full visa information check out Visa UK (www.ukvisas.gov.uk).

If you're a citizen of a Commonwealth country, aged between 17 and 30 you may apply for a Working Holiday Entry Certificate for 2 years. With one of these there are no restrictions on the type of work you can undertake, but you are expected to take holiday while in the UK.

You must apply to your country’s British Consulate or High Commission before departure – Working Holiday Entry Certificates are not granted on arrival in Britain. It is not possible to switch from being a visitor to a working holidaymaker, though you can apply from outside the UK without returning to your home country. 

If you have a parent born in the UK you may be eligible for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode which means you can live and work in Britain free of immigration control. If you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if the grandparent was born before 31 March 1922 in what is now the Republic of Ireland, you may qualify for a UK Ancestry Employment Certificate which means you can work in the UK full time for up to four years.