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Global Exclusive

Working Holiday in UK (Plus)

4.9(1484 reviews)
Experience
Working Holiday
Destination
United Kingdom
Duration
6 to 24 months
Ages
18 to 30

High demand. 500+ views in just the last 24 hours! Book soon to avoid losing your place.

Trip overview

No wonder the UK is such a popular place for a Working Holiday. Besides the lush countryside, charming cities, and dramatic coastlines – it’s the perfect home base while exploring the rest of Europe. 

And when you go on a Working Holiday in the UK, you can live and work for up to 2 years in the country while you discover Europe on your own terms. 

You could wing it and try to do everything yourself. Sure, some people do, but more often than not, it’ll be confusing, expensive, anxiety-inducing and time-consuming heading to a land unknown for the first time.

This is an experience you’ll likely only do once, and the last thing you'd want is to be returning home with your tail between your legs just after you had your going away party (& blown all your savings).

But, luckily, we've spent over 10 years working on the solution that over 75,000 others before you have chosen, as the world's leaders in working holidays. What if you could instead:

  • Secure your job before you fly with our Guaranteed Job Match Pre-Arrival* & Unlimited Extra Matches* – All done virtually from home (and no job fairs to travel to, unlike our competitors).
  • Land a job almost anywhere, from bustling cities that never sleep to quaint countryside villages where everyone knows your name, with the largest network of partner companies loaded with perks like free or discounted staff accommodation, food & beverage + more!
  • Meet others before you go through our exclusive app. Join Global Traveller side-trips & meet-up events too.
  • Save time, money, and stress with your own dedicated Trip Coordinator.
  • Get help with flights, travel insurance, accommodation, visa applications & more.
  • Experience awesome tours & activities when you arrive to help you settle in.

The ultimate way to have a hassle-free working holiday. Working to live (and not living to work), meeting other travellers, waking up every day to a new adventure, and making everyone back home severely jealous of all your stories.

Land in the UK prepared & excited, not anxious and scared - life’s too short for that.

*For a similar trip with the essentials only, check out this Working Holiday in UK package. Keep a very careful eye on dates though, as capacity for both these trips are limited.

Inclusions

Guaranteed job match pre-arrival*

A lot of companies won't hire travellers. We’re partnered with many of the best local businesses that will. *Save time & money with a Guaranteed Job Match before you arrive or we’ll extend your initial accommodation until you do.

Unlimited extra matches*

When it’s time for somewhere new, tap into our national database of Partner Organisations to keep funding your travels. *No limit on matches when you’ve given required notice to leave & remained professional.

Dedicated Trip Coordinator

Handpicked from an experienced team who’ve been there, done that and are ready to guide you through your entire journey and leave no question unanswered.

Working holiday visa guidance

Get your working holiday visa approved as cheap and easy as possible with our step-by-step instructions and personal guidance by your Trip Coordinator.

Pre-Departure Guide

Our in-depth pre-departure guide will have all the information you need about your trip & destination, at your fingertips.

Personal Travel Concierge

You'll get a personal Travel Concierge to plan your flights, insurance or any add-ons to synchronise perfectly with your trip. Deal with a real human and get a personalised booking experience that ticks all your boxes.

Private airport transfer

Don't get stuck, lost or waste money on a taxi, start your trip off right and roll up like a VIP! When your plane arrives a private airport transfer will be waiting to whisk you straight to your included hostel accommodation in style.

4 nights of hostel accommodation

Meet other Global Travellers in the heart of London. A 4-person dorm makes it the ultimate lodging for jet-lag recovery, or treat yourself and upgrade! (4-person subject to availability)

"Welcome to the UK" group orientation

Meet our dedicated local team at our Central London office for a detailed introduction on everything you need to know about life and work in the UK.

Local life essentials

We'll give you a UK mobile number & SIM with loads of data & credit for your first month, and help set up your UK bank account and National Insurance Number which you’ll need to work in the UK.

London hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour

The best way for you to get your bearings in London! Climb on board this hop-on, hop-off bus tour, and enjoy the freedom to jump on and off at any of the designated stops around the incredible city.

London Dungeons experience

The London Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction that will whisk you way back to the capital's most perilous past. See, hear, feel and smell the chillingly amusing characters of London's dark past as they come to life before you.

Visit to iconic London Eye

Enjoy panoramic, 360° views of the London skyline with an included pass to the iconic London Eye.

Nightclub party tour

Get acquainted with London’s famous nightlife in the best possible way, surrounded by party goers from all around the world. Head to London’s best venues skipping the queues, making heaps of friends and partying the night away.

2 nights to party at Oktoberfest, Barcelona or Surf in San Sebastian

Choose from a 2-night stay in Barcelona including breakfast, Oktoberfest in Munich or a surf house in San Sebastian! Spend your days partying at the legendary Oktoberfest in Munich, stay in the nightlife and beach capital of Spain, or enjoy endless surf, yoga and parties at a house in San Sebastian. The only thing left to do is choose where you want to go! 

Permanent accommodation resources

If permanent accommodation isn’t provided with your job opportunity, our local team can give you the tools and advice to help you find your perfect home.

Tax return assistance

Once your trip is over, we'll get your tax return sorted so you can get some extra cash back in your pocket.

Ongoing local team support

Think of us as your family away from home. Whether you need advice, a shoulder to lean on (literally) or you’re looking for your next job opportunity, our local team in London will provide you with unlimited support.

24/7 Global Emergency Line

Feel confident knowing we have a worldwide emergency team on standby, 24/7/365, so you can feel safe and secure throughout your whole trip no matter where you are in the world.

gWorld access

Stay organised with your personalised portal where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global.
NEW

Social

Travel alone but never lonely with Social! An exclusive social network inside our gWorld app to talk, share & meet-up with other Global Travellers in your region, with a dedicated Community Manager.

NEW

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

NEW

Invites to Global Getaways

Be invited to exclusive customer only bucket-list side trips, so you can meet new friends and see more of the world while abroad.

NEW

Marketplace deals

Get exclusive access to deals and discounts through our online Marketplace. Save big on a huge range of products and services from our brand partners worldwide.

$250 off your next trip

The “Travel Bug” is a very real thing! Once you catch it, it really doesn’t go away! Book any other trip with us later and save $250. Why would you ever stop travelling?

Just in case it’s not clear already, we’re not an employment or recruitment agency. Read more

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-30 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Ask a question

Chat with us online now, or we can call you back for free, 24 hours Mon-Fri.

Trip details

Can you picture it? You're working at a beautiful old English pub without a worry in the world. The pub hooked you and your new international besties up with accommodation just down the road. You're pouring pints for the locals who all love the bartender. Especially when you’re from overseas with a cool accent and stories from home. It’s a special day. You and your housemate just booked return flights over to Amsterdam for the price of some new sneakers. 

And all this sorted without potentially spending over a month or longer hunting for a job in a foreign country with no income and your savings dwindling by the hour!

Get a job sorted before you land with our Guaranteed Job Match Pre-Arrival*, the ultimate way to explore another country without having to chew through your savings like most people who decide to wing it generally do.

Our robust trip planning process, perfected after serving tens of thousands of Global Travellers since 2008, includes visa guidance and a virtual interview you can do from the comfort of home. Our team will be in your corner to answer any questions you or your family may have too, so you can exchange most of those nerves with pure excitement about the adventure of a lifetime ahead.

Accommodation? We can help with that as well. Your first 4 nights are covered at a top-rated hostel in the heart of London. After that, most jobs provide staff housing at a really low rate (but these ones can go quick). If your job doesn’t, our team will provide you all the guidance and tips you need to find something suitable - yet another reason why going with Global means you get the best of the best with access to a local team and office in London (unlike our competitors).

And when it’s time for a change of scenery during or after your initial job, book a short and cheap flight to a place packed with beach clubs, cheap baguettes, or snow-packed alps.  

While you're galavanting across Europe, you’re not worried about finding a new job or running out of money. Why?

Because you told your dedicated Trip Coordinator about your plans and that you’d like to secure your next job opportunity, in a completely new and interesting part of the UK before you left. 

Our team gets to work and the whole of the UK stretches out in front of you. Will your next job be at a cozy inn south of London? A manor in Oxford? Or at a fairytale-like Castle in the Scottish Highlands?

We’ll leave it up to you. And with the largest network of partner companies – you could land a job almost anywhere in the UK, usually loaded with staff perks.

You’ll have an instant friend group wherever you end up, too – even if you decide to take a job in a tiny town in the Welsh countryside. 

Because our social network app – gWorld – connects you with other Global Travellers in your area. So you can go on a hike, meet at the pub, or just talk to someone with the same accent as you.

We take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to.

BUT! There’s a catch….

Most travellers book their trip 6-12 months in advance, or more! Dates are flexible, but spaces are limited, and intakes are closing off regularly without much notice. So if you’re serious about living in the UK, check dates & prices now to get things started before you’re too late, or too old.

With our Book Now, Decide Later option, you can get started with a small deposit today, and take up to a full year to choose your dates. 

We’ll take over from there, helping you with visas, flights, accommodation, and matching you with a job opportunity before you go*. 

If you’re after the ultimate, and the best, working holiday to the UK out there, complete with everything you need and 24/7 worldwide support, click the red box and follow the quick & easy steps to secure your spot. You, your parents and your bank account should thank us later.

If you’re looking for less, but still want to travel with the best, check out our other Working Holiday in UK package too (but this one is our best & most popular).

Requirements

To qualify for this trip you must meet the visa requirements, and have 6 months of paid work experience by time of arrival.

What extra costs will I have?

Flights, travel insurance, visa, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, and in your hands well before you leave.  Your personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here.  Most travellers have their job match before they’ve left home. If you haven’t had yours within 4 days of arriving, we’ll extend your accommodation for free until you do. And if you’re not successful with your first interview - no biggy! We’ll just keep trying (*see TCs for details).

Arrival

Once you arrive in London, there’ll be a private car & driver waiting to take you to your accommodation to avoid getting lost, stuck or ripped off by a taxi.  Your included accommodation is 4 nights at one of the best hostels in London. You can spend your evening getting to know fellow Global Travellers while you relax in the hostel or getting out to enjoy the endless sights, pubs, bars & restaurants within walking distance.

Day 2

Come say hi! Meet the Global crew and a bunch of other Global Travellers when you drop in to our London office. You’ll join our ‘Welcome to the UK’ orientation where you’ll get the lay of the land, plus a: UK SIM with loads of data, SMS & calling for your first month, so you can stay in touch with your new friends and employers, get an Uber late at night, or send messages back home.  UK bank account. (..which can be a tricky & tedious process to organise - but our London team is there to make it easy). And with a British bank account you’ll earn - and spend - in the local currency.  National Insurance Number. This is a requirement for employment in the UK. Our team will help you get this as fast as possible with our know-how.

Day 3 & 4

Since you’re travelling smarter than the other guy who decided to wing it - there is no need to be hunting down a job, place to stay or trying to meet new friends. Instead, you’ll be heading out on these awesome included experiences: London hop-on hop-off bus tour. The best way to see London, included with your trip.  London Dungeons experience. Relive London’s shady past in a live-action dungeons tour. London Eye visit. The most visited paid tourist attraction in the UK. No trip to the UK is complete without a ride on the iconic London Eye. Nightclub tour. You heard that right. Skip the queues at London’s most infamous clubs as you party the night away with your new crew! And for further down the track, we throw in your choice of 2 nights in Barcelona, 2 nights in the Spanish surf town of San Sebastian, or 2 nights at the legendary Oktoberfest in Munich. With our social app – gWorld – you can link up with a bunch of other Global Travellers in your area to tackle some epic side trips together!

Ongoing

We’ll constantly keep in touch with you throughout your stay. If at any point during your trip you need advice or support, our team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Remember, you can jump on our social media pages too or buzz our 24/7 emergency support line for urgent matters. Stay connected with Social, where you can reach out to your Community Manager, stay updated with events happening in the country and chat with Global Travellers near you. You will also be invited to traveller meet-ups and exclusive Global Getaways, giving you access to short bucket-list side trips to awesome locations so you can continue to make new friends and see the world together.

Working Holiday jobs & locations in the United Kingdom

Land an entry to mid-level job in the UK which will be fun and social, so you can make friends, learn new skills and have the freedom to explore new places. Located all across the country, here’s a list of the industries most of our UK Partner Organisations are in, and where you can expect to find yourself being matched with too!

  • Hospitality like bars, cafés & restaurants
  • Tourism
  • Historic UK Pubs & Bars
  • Scottish Castles
  • Summer Camps
  • Hotels & Manors
  • Labour & Construction
  • Sales
  • + More

Picture yourself catching the London Underground each day and working in one of the most bustling cities in the world. Or perhaps the idea of a 16th-century castle nestled among the countryside is more your scene. We’ve got connections to host companies dotted all over the UK, so you could find yourself working in any of these destinations. 

  • London
  • Oxford
  • Solihull
  • Thame
  • Hertfordshire
  • Cotswolds
  • Surrey
  • Hampshire
  • Scotland
  • Dorset
  • Guernsey
  • + More

Reviews

Christopher P
Vedrana has been very helpful and has given useful information about how things operate. She has gone out of her way to make sure everything runs smoothly, has been contactable from the first moment, and been a warm person to be with during the orientation.
Dale C
V has been absolutely phenomenal. Extremely helpful and understanding. Could not have asked for a better arrival coordinator and she has exceeded all my expectations not just as a travel coordinator but Global Work as a whole. Super welcoming and easy going. She has helped me fit in so much easier than I thought and has provided alot of essential information. Extremely happy!
Gemma M
My experience so far with The Global Work and Travel company has been outstanding. Katy and Kirsty have been very helpful and have met every need or requirement I have presented them with. I am most satisfied with their level of efficiency considering the time zones before I came over to the UK. Can’t wait to commence this journey, feeling even better knowing I’m in good hands with plenty of support.
Harrison G
Kirsty has been an excellent coordinator throughout my moving process. I was constantly listing emails and important information and I received fast replies with no judgment. She has made the orientation very simple and easy, explaining all perks and problems in an easy efficient way. She has a very bubbly personality which makes her very approachable easy going.
Simon D
Jaz was a fantastic trip coordinator. Any questions I had she answered diligently and if she didn't have an answer at the time she would follow up and get one for me. Additionally, if I had any objections or queries her responses were well thought out, had great reasoning, and consulted me and provided recommendations. She was fantastic. I couldn't recommend anyone more thorough than Jaz was.

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Frequently asked questions

Why go with Global Work & Travel?

As the world’s leading gap-year and “work & travel” company, we offer you the ability to not only choose from a number of awesome experiences all over the world but, we'll be your support system from the very first moment you become a Global Traveller! We provide a premium service that allows you to pick the destination of your dreams, get our visa & pre-departure assistance, book great flights and organise the perfect travel insurance or tours for when you arrive. Plus, we’ll back it all up with some cool and exclusive tech features that are with you the entire time.

As a Global Traveller, you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace deals for discounts with our brand partners, a unique social network to connect you with other Global Travellers when you’re overseas, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn as you travel, invites to bucket-list side trips with other travellers, local meet-ups and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

And it doesn't even stop there. We continue to be there from the moment you land with a dedicated 24/7 emergency team, over 100 staff and ongoing support ensuring that you have the tools you need to feel like a local. That’s why 65,000+ Global Travellers from all over the world have chosen to turn their travel dream into reality with us and we can proudly brag that we’ve got the most & best reviews in the biz!

Why should I book now?

Covid-19 threw us a curve ball and pretty much halted all travel. This means that we have a backlog of travellers, just like you, who are desperate to get out and explore the world! Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12 months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free.

As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together!

But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join.

And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

What happens if COVID affects my trip?

If you have to make any changes to your departure date, you’re protected with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee and our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility. With this, we will change your trip dates for free. If this doesn’t fit around you and you can’t go on your trip anymore, we will give you a 100% refund in the form of a Trip Credit with us (See terms). If you’re unable to use it, you can also transfer that credit to someone else for them to put towards any trip too.

If you’re affected by Covid-19 while you’re overseas, you will have all the support you need from our team or partners in-country as well as have access to our 24/7 Global Emergency Line. We recommend travellers purchase Global Travel Cover travel insurance that provides Covid-19 medical protection too.

Do I need to be vaccinated to book?

As border restrictions for countries begin to ease, being fully vaccinated will maximise the number of locations you can visit. So while you are not legally required to be vaccinated, and it’s also not a requirement to travel with us, it will limit some of the countries that you can visit and may make it harder to travel through over the next 12-18 months. We highly recommend our travellers look at the current travel restrictions of their destination, speak with a medical professional or get in touch with our team for travel advice.

What happens if I want to cancel my trip?

Our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility means you can change your trip’s start date up to 84* days before departure without incurring any charges when you rebook it for any time (or even any other trip) in the next 2 years from your original start date.

In the event that you want to cancel your booking altogether, if you give us over 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put towards booking absolutely anything travel related with your Travel Concierge within the next 2 years!

*Some select trips excluded, including Teach (Spain, Italy & Czech Republic) and USA (Summer Camp, Working Holiday and Hotel Professional), and others as listed in Booking Conditions.

How it works

Make your decision

Choose your trip style and destination, and confirm your spot with a deposit. Then, open your gWorld account and celebrate, the hardest part is over and the fun is about to begin.

We become friends

You’ll be matched with a personal Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs. They’ll guide you through everything we need to do together, so you can leave your worries behind.

Time to go

We’ll get your tickets in-hand and your transfers ready. Then, our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared for your arrival. It’s now time for the real adventure to start.

24/7 support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support and check-ins. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24/7.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/7.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 100 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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