British secretary spruiks immigration visa options

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Created on Friday, 18 January 2013 14:52

Written by Editorial staff

A British politician has assured Australians who are considering working and living in the United Kingdom that there are immigration visas available.

This is despite the fact that there has been a crackdown on the level of entrants allowed into the country.

The attempt to reduce the net migration has resulted in the country closing down its post study visa, which afforded higher education graduates the opportunity to stay in the UK for two more years.

British foreign secretary William Hague said that Aussies looking to enjoy all Britain has to offer can still apply for a litany of other visas.

He commented: "We have, for example, the Youth Mobility Scheme, which is undersubscribed for Australians.

"We also now have for people on student visas the ability to move to a working visa without the need to go out of the country in order to change that arrangement."

The Youth Mobility Scheme is a visa initiative that requires applicants to be under 31 years of age when they apply and entitles them to work and live in the UK for two years.

In addition to that, there is an ancestry visa that allows people to settle in Britain based on their heritage. To be eligible, a citizen of a Commonwealth nation must prove that one of their grandparents was born in the UK before March 31 1922.

Mr Hague also pointed out that the skilled worker category has been very much underutilised, and as a result, those interested in relocating can use that visa. He did mention that it requires employer sponsorship.

All of the visa options mentioned need to be promoted better, the former UK Conservative Party leader added.

"It may be we need improved awareness of all those routes. But there is scope under all of those routes for more Australians to spend time in the UK."

It comes as the foreign and defence secretaries tour Australia, with plans to meet defence minister Stephen Smith and foreign minister Bob Carr in Perth today (January 18). This is after Mr Hague delivered the John Howard lecture at Sydney's Menzies Research Centre yesterday.

These discussions between the two sets of leaders will focus on immigration in conjunction with defence spending - costs that have been notably cut by both nations in recent times.