Gap year
This section explains how you can apply to come to work in the United Kingdom during your gap year - a period of up to 12 months between leaving secondary education (usually school) and starting tertiary education (a degree course).
The scheme allows young people who are not citizens of the European Economic Area to come to the United Kingdom for one year to work in a school. You will not be able to apply under the scheme unless you have a written offer of employment in a school in the United Kingdom. For other requirements you must meet, see Eligibility.
The gap year scheme is a short-term immigration category. If you come to the United Kingdom on a gap year visa, you will be allowed to stay for a maximum of 12 months. When your visa expires, you will be expected to return to your home country. You will not be allowed to extend your visa.
Please note the gap year scheme is due to be deleted later this year when the new points-based system Youth Mobility Scheme of Tier 5 is launched.
Terms explained
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European Economic Area
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.
Policy & Law
Contact
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Immigration enquiry bureau
0870 606 7766
UK Border Agency Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 2BY