Working Holidaymaker Scheme route no longer open for overseas players

11 February 2005

The Government has announced changes to the Working Holidaymaker Scheme – which means that individuals can no longer use it if they are coming to this country as a professional sports person.

The scheme used to include this restriction until it was removed, without consultation with sport, in 2003. Players wanting to enter as professional cricketers will therefore have to obtain a work permit and meet the relevant criteria.

The Minister for Citizenship and Immigration, Desmond Browne, announced the changes in a written statement to Parliament on February 7.

He explained: “The main change for applicants is that we are strengthening the requirement that the work be done in support of holiday and travel intentions. It is anomalous that as a holiday and cultural exchange route it should not have attached to it any conditions that prevent migration based on long-term employment and other economic motives.”

He added: “We are also prohibiting the use of this route as a means of bringing professional sports persons to the UK in order not to undermine the work being done to develop our own talented young people.”

The changes are effective immediately.

For more information you can also read the briefing document below - or click on the link to the Work Permits guidance on the site:

Changes to the Working Holidaymaker Scheme - February 2005 (21 KB)