Other info & help

A: Over 18 years old and under 30 years old, at the time of your application.

Q: Will  any other countries be added to the Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday Programme?

A: We will be lobbying the Government, to expand the number of countries on the scheme.

Q: Will  the number of YMS Visa allocations be increased for Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and India?

A: We are lobbying the Government, to increase the number of visa allocations for these countries.

Q: Is the date for the Indian ballot out yet?

A: No not yet. Please check our website and follow us on social media, for any updates.

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Q: Does the Youth Mobility Scheme Working Holiday programme have a time limit when joining?

A: There is no time limit to join the programme after you have received your YMS visa, although the YMS visa only lasts for 2 years, so you would need to join the programme as quickly as possible to get the full benefit from it.

Q: Do I take the English test before or after I go to England?

A: We will arrange an online English test for you free of charge, before you travel to the UK, to establish your level of English. You will also need to take another English language test, at no cost to yourself, when you arrive in Bournemouth.

Q: What level of English do I need to have before I can start work?

A: If you have a B1 / intermediate level of English, or above, you can start employment straight away.

If you are below a B1 / intermediate level of English you will be allocated to an English Language school before you arrive in the UK, so that you can commence your English language course upon your arrival in the UK, at the rates set out under the heading “Learning” on the website.

Q: If I am not B1 level, how long is the accredited English language programme?

A: How long your English Language course is, will depend on how many lessons you will need to bring you up to a B1 / intermediate level.  We will arrange an online English test for you, before you come to the UK and then you will have another test when you arrive here in Bournemouth.  It will then be more apparent what your level of English is.

Please see the link below to a table, which sets out the approximate length of time and number of lessons it would take to move up the English levels;- https://www.studybournemouthpoole.co.uk/learning/

If you are already very close to a B1/intermediate level, then you will require fewer lessons.

Q: Do I need to study 2 courses? 

A:  You do not need to do a 15 hour course and a 21 hour course, it is either/or.  It will help with your fluency in spoken English, if you do a 21 hour per week course, as opposed to a 15 hour per week course but it will not necessarily help you move up to a B1/intermediate level any quicker.  The position will also be clearer after you have had your online English test and your English language teacher will be better placed to advise you at the time of your placement in an English language school.

Q: How long before arriving in the UK will I be placed into homestay accommodation?

A: Your homestay family will be allocated to you before you arrive in the UK, so it will be available for you upon your arrival, providing that it has been paid for a number of weeks in advance.

Q: Do I need to choose my accommodation before I go to the UK, or can this be arranged for me? 

A: We recommend that you stay with a homestay family to begin with, so you can get your bearings and have a look around to see which type of accommodation, or area you would like to live in. 

A homestay family costs £145 per week in low season and £175 in high season and this can be arranged for you for an administration fee of £120.

However, if you need English language lessons there will be no administration fee payable for arranging homestay accommodation, as the English language school that you are allocated to will arrange the homestay accommodation for you.

You will be provided with details of the homestay accommodation before you leave for the UK, providing that it has been paid for a number of weeks in advance.

Q: Please can you provide me with information about other kinds of accommodation available?

A: There are several types of accommodation available from privately rented flats, or, house shares to Bed & Breakfast and long term hotel accommodation payable on a weekly basis.  Plus, some of the hotels/restaurants where you will be working can provide live in accommodation.  Here are a few websites offering alternative accommodation for you to have a look at:-

https://www.gumtree.com/search?featured_filter=false&q=&search_location=christchurch&search_category=property-to-

share&distance=1&urgent_filter=false&sort=distance&search_distance=1&search_scope=false&photos_filter=false

https://www.onthemarket.com/student/property/christchurch/?view=grid

http://robertsproperty.co.uk/

Q: Can you provide me with information about my job placement?

A: We have several partner hotels and restaurant/bars in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.  You will be placed into various departments within the hotel allocated to you, after which you will be awarded a certificate in each department, which will go towards your Hospitality Portfolio.

Q: Do I need a National Insurance Number before I start work?

A: No as you can work for up to 9 weeks without one, but you should apply for one as soon as possible after your arrival in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number

Q: When I start work, will the hospitality partners assist me to open a bank account?

A: Assistance can be provided to you to open a bank account once you are in the UK.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/banking/getting-a-bank-account/

Q: Can I choose which hotel and restaurant to work for?

A: No, as candidates are place with our hospitality partners on a rotating basis. 

Q: Can I choose the department I will be working in?

A: No as the programme is designed to take you through several departments and it will depend on what is available at the time you start the programme. However, it is ultimately up to you (and your employer) how many departments you decide to train in and which department you end up working in, once you have finished your training.

Q: How many hours are the candidates expected to work in a week?

A: Your hours will be set by your employer and will usually be between 35 and 45 hours per week.  However, if you are not offered that many hours, then you can always take a 2^nd job with another hospitality partner, so that you can make your hours up.

Q: What is the rate of pay?

A: The rate of pay is negotiable with the employer, but it will not be less than the statutory minimum wage.

Hourly rates of pay are contained in the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/minimum-wage-rates-for-2022

However, please note that some employers may be prepared to pay a higher hourly rate and these amounts do not include tips.

Q: Is there any paid holiday? 

A:  In relation to holidays, please see the following link to the government website:-https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights

Q: What are the terms of the contract of employment?

A: The contract of employment will be between you and one of our hospitality venue partners that you are placed with.  The contract of employment will be a simple one, in that it will set out your job title, number of hours per week, holiday provision, rate of pay, notice period, etc.

Q: How long is the contract of employment?

A:  As the YMS visa is valid for 2 years, then technically your employment contract with your  allocated hospitality partner can last that long.  However, should you wish to finish your employment earlier, you can do so by giving the appropriate notice to your employer, which is a minimum of 1 week and likewise your employer can do the same.

Q: Is it possible for me to go and work in a different town, or city during my YMS visa period?

A: Yes, you can go and work in another city, once you have worked for a period in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole but of course we hope that you will choose to stay here with us for the whole 2 years.

Q: Do I have to work in the hospitality sector for 2 years, or can I work in a different sector?

A: We only place candidates into jobs in the hospitality sector and we hope that you will want to stay in the hospitality sector for the full 2 years.  However, if you choose to stay for a shorter period and go on to work in a different sector, then that is your decision.