Why are us Brit's excluded from so many working holiday visa schemes?

[beamer]

I was chatting with an Aussie friend of mine last week who's off to Canada on a working holiday visa scheme soon.

How come those guy's (and gal's) can get working holiday visa's in so many countries (soon to be America too i hear), and the British are denied such opportunities?

What's going on?

[jimmyb01]

It must be because of Britain's relaxed imagration laws. Most countries know we hand passports to any Tom, Dick or Harry so they wont take a chance,

[Dom Tuk]

The above answer is a concept that is bandied about but not so sure that it is the right answer. For those who have been handed a Uk passport with minimal checks (as claimed) is mostly the end of their immigration journey. They are hardly likely to then try their luck with obtaining another nationality. If it is terrorists then the issue is different and denying working holiday visas is not the best route to stop them. I think the real reason is the reciprocality of the scheme. if we let their citizens do it they will let our nationals do it too. Simple as that. we dont allow the americans a working holiday here and they wont let us Uk nationals work there on holiday. Simple back scratching.

[Laura-sakura]

Hi Beamer, im on a working holiday in Japan right now, and I have friends who have done the same to Thailand, Australia and also America...where did you get this information from?

[beamer]

I've worked in the US before, though illegally as the elusive J1 visa is a nightmare to get unless you are a student. Same goes with Canada, UK nationals need to be a student to get temp work visa's.

I've spent considerable time in Thailand, though didn't need to work due to the countries fantastic cheapness (unlike many travellers in that part of the world I did try to get under the skin and experience the culture a little).

Are you on the "Jet" scheme in Japan at the moment? That gov. programme is hugely over subscribed and competition is fierce.

Australia doesn't really appeal...

I into experiencing different cultures, though it feels like i'm being denied the opportunity (sob)...

[Laura-sakura]

Ah, I see what you mean. Actually im not on the JET programme (thank God). I just applied for the standard working holiday visa but I could get this because im under 25 (not a student though) I think you can get it up to the age of 30.
Come to think of it it was a lot of hassle. Jimmy is not really 100% with his answer, I can see where hes coming from but it is hard to get into the UK LEGALLY. My boyfriend is Japanese and he said that it is nearly impossible... however, if he just turned up at Heathrow without a Visa he could probably find his way in to the benefits system without too much trouble...
Come to Japan Beamer!

[beamer]

Might well do that Laura-sakura. It's not a country I had previously considered though would seemto tick all the "different culture" box's (need to get my skates on as i'm 29 now).

What kind of work could I expect to do over there? (other than teaching english)...

[Laura-sakura]

oooh. Well, its a difficult one. Most people come here to teach English as its probably the best pay you can get without knowing fluent Japanese. Ive heard it is hard to get a teaching position without a Degree of some description but its not impossible...I havent....but then I havent got a job either....
If you are skilled you could get a very good job (engineering, or a similar speciality) but I believe that again the competition is fierce, but you can apply for a full working visa and apply to a company before you come out saving loads of unnecessary stress, the company would probably sort your visa and pay for your trip and future accomodation as well !! (I wish Id paid more attention at school!)
Luckily for me I have a great boyfriend here so I dont need to worry too much about looking for a job but I will probably take a part time job cleaning or working in a kitchen, I dont mind because its such an awesome place to be! (If you dont mind being stared at all the time)