Working holiday in the UK
Homethe UKBy nationalityIcelandic citizens

the UK Working Holiday Visa
for Icelandic citizens

Visa snapshot

Eligible age
18-30
At application
Initial stay
24 mo
From grant
Maximum stay
24 mo
With extensions
Visa fee
£340
GBP
Processing time
3 weeks
Typical

Work and study

Work rights
Work in most jobs; self-employment allowed only if premises rented, equipment worth under GBP5,000, and no employees. Cannot work as professional sportsperson. No public funds.
Study rights
Study allowed; ATAS certificate needed for some courses

Funds and health

Funds required
GBP 2,530 savings
Levy or extra cost
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £776/year
Health and insurance
Must meet UK health requirements
Health and insurance details →

Extensions

Further stay
Available, conditions apply

Quota or ballot

Allocation
Open (no ballot)
No ballot

Reciprocal healthcare

Agreement in place
No
Private health insurance needed
Government sourceSource: gov.uk · How we verify →
On this page

Eligibility at a glance

  • Passport: This route is for Icelandic citizens, so you must apply on a valid Icelandic passport.
  • Age: You must be aged 18 to 30 when you apply, not when you travel.
  • Funds: GBP 2,530 savings
  • Health: Must meet UK health requirements

Eligibility and conditions

Who can apply

No children living with/financially dependent.

  • No children living with/financially dependent

General conditions

Fee GBP340; IHS GBP776/yr (GBP1,552 for 2 yrs) gives full NHS access. GBP2,530 savings held 28 consecutive days. No dependants; cannot apply if children under 18 live with you or you are financially responsible for them; one YMS per lifetime. Ballot only for Hong Kong + Taiwan (1,000 places each, 2026).

Extensions

Third visa extension

+1 year extension ONLY for Australia, Canada, New Zealand nationals (fee GBP319 + IHS GBP776; once only; apply in UK within 28 days of expiry). Japan/Korea cannot extend.

How to apply

Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet all requirements including the age limit of 18-30 and hold a valid Icelandic passport.
Gather your documents
You will need your passport, a recent photo, health insurance details, and proof of sufficient funds.
Apply through the official portal
Submit your application through the official government portal. The fee is £340 and is non-refundable.
Wait for a decision
Processing typically takes 3 weeks. Most applications are decided within days.
Ready to apply?
Apply on the official government portal

Applications are submitted through the UK Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 3 weeks.

Apply Now →
This link leaves Working Holiday Essentials and opens the official UK Government website.

Get ready for the UK

Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.

Essential setup

Banking

Open a local account soon after you arrive in the UK so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.

Mobile and connectivity

Set up a local number or eSIM in the UK for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.

You will need private health insurance
Icelandic citizens are not covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, so you must arrange your own cover. Read the healthcare guide

Other nationalities going to the UK

All routes to the UK →

Your first-week checklist

The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.