The future of the popular ‘Working Holidaymaker’ visa has been under scrutiny for some time now, as the United Kingdom revamps its entire immigration policy.

In a nutshell, all visa applications for permission to work in the United Kingdom will soon fall under five tiers, covering various skill levels, each with different qualifying criteria. It is modelled on the points-based system used by Australia.

Part of this revamp is the abolition of the Working Holidaymaker visa, which had allowed citizens of Commonwealth countries under the age of 30 to live and work — with some restrictions — in the UK for a period of two years.

Under the new regime this visa will be replaced with the Youth Mobility Scheme, which falls under the five tiers.

Although the Youth Mobility Scheme offers similar opportunities to the Working Holidaymaker visa, here’s the bad news.

The British High Commission has confirmed that South Africa will definitely not be participating in the scheme at the outset.

"We made the South African government aware of the introduction of the new scheme some time ago but they have not, as yet, expressed an interest in participating," says Apsara McNaught, spokesperson for the British High Commission.

"In order to become a participating country, South Africa would be required to meet certain criteria, including the establishment of a reciprocal scheme for young British nationals to come here."

Apart from the chaos at the Department of Home Affairs, it’s this issue of reciprocity which will likely sink any plans for South Africa to join the YMS. The issue at stake is why should South Africa, with it high unemployment, willingly allow unskilled workers from abroad into South Africa to take jobs that could be done by locals.

Fair point, but perhaps the government should also weigh up the skills gained by young South Africans abroad and the foreign exchange they bring back into the country?

So, what are your options if you want to live and work in the UK?

For starters, the High Commission says that it will still accept applications for the Working Holiday visa up until 26 November. Whether these will be fairly processed is anyone’s guess.

However, Stephen Atkinson, immigration expert at migration group 1st Contact says that other options for employment-type visas to the UK are still available to South Africans.

The Tier 1 visa presents an opportunity for skilled, qualified migrants, while the Ancestry visa can be used for those with a grandparent born in the UK. Lastly, Partner/Spousal visas are an option for South Africans whose spouses or partners have UK or EU citizenship.

For more information on the new visa regime and how to apply, visit www.britain.org.za or call the British High Commission in Pretoria on 012 421 7500.