Contracting on a working holiday visa

**stek** · 17 April 2014, 10:35

http://www.immigrationboards.com

**malvolio** · 17 April 2014, 10:47

Originally posted by lancerkris View Post

Bit of advice needed – apologies if this sort of thing has been asked before. I did a quick search but couldn't find anything that’s relevant to this situation

Tl;dr: can I contract in a foreign country on a working holiday visa?

I’ve been contracting for just over a year in the UK and wouldn’t mind giving it a go in another country.

• Can I just “show up” in said country and start looking, then if the client is willing sort out the visa then and there?
• Can I apply for a working visa without any work pre-arranged?
• I’m under 30, So I can apply for a working holiday visa for places like Canada, Australia etc. Can I get one of those, go in and then start looking for a contract?

Thank you for any help!

Two things to consider.

Work visas are almost invariably hooked to a real job. Working holiday visas are to allow you to do casual work to pay your way while you're there,

and

The local authorities will expect you to be paying local taxes.

Therefore you can get a job as an employee under a working holiday visa, but a contract is likely to break several rules. Visas are for people not companies.

**stek** · 17 April 2014, 12:05

Several Commonwealth countries do Mal, formerly the visa known as the Working Holiday Maker Visa, now known as the Youth Mobility Scheme, allows work and travel for two years. Used to be strict one year work one year travel but that limitation has gone now.

Russia had one too called 'Work and Travel'

**malvolio** · 17 April 2014, 12:34

Originally posted by stek View Post

Several Commonwealth countries do Mal, formerly the visa known as the Working Holiday Maker Visa, now known as the Youth Mobility Scheme, allows work and travel for two years. Used to be strict one year work one year travel but that limitation has gone now.

Russia had one too called 'Work and Travel'

Yes I know. But how about contracting vs taking a paid temporary job?

**Scruff** · 17 April 2014, 14:44

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

Yes I know. But how about contracting vs taking a paid temporary job?

My daughter went to Australia on a Working Visa and landed up working for herself as a Freelancer / Contractor. You have to work through the Australian tax system, so no use of UK Ltd company (not that you would...).

**rich2476** · 17 April 2014, 16:29

Aus market is pretty poor at the market.. I came back to uk in November and still in contact with contractors who say the market is still dry

Contracting on a working holiday visa