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UK Visa Online Services Comparison — Tier 5 & Ancestry Visa
available to Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians & Japanese

Youth Mobility Scheme was formerly called UK working holiday visa

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Why Use a Visa Specialist?

To avoid mistakes and the possibility of losing your application fee many choose to apply for their visa through an agency (immigration service). This page compares some of the most popular services available for the Tier 5 Visa (Youth Mobility Visa) and the UK Ancestry Visa.

The advantage of applying for your visa through a specialist agency is that your visa will be issued in the fastest time possible and you will have someone to assist you each step of the way including checking your application and supporting documents to make sure everything is correct before you apply. If your application is missing vital information or documents, the British Consulate will just send it back to you without a visa — causing you more time, money and hassle!

Process — UK Visa Online (Tier 5 and Ancesty Visa)

Each service is a little different to get your UK Visa online, however the most important aspects are:

  1. Forms are filled out correctly — these are either filled out online for you (1st Contact) or checked online by the visa service before submission (Visa First and Fastrack).
  2. The Visa servcie ensures that the correct supporting documentation is prepared before sending. Your caseworker will check and correct the application and supporting documents (including biometric information) as appropriate until its all ready to send.

The services also:

  • Answer any questions and concerns you have
  • Book your biometric appointment (at a time that suits you)

*Please note the process outline above is for Australian residents for the Tier 5 Visa and UK Ancesty Visa. Process for residents outside of Australia may vary slightly to expedite the process.

**Note the Tier 5 Visa (formerly Working Holiday Visa) is part of the Youth Mobility Scheme and is also called the Youth Mobility Visa. They are all the same thing.

Key Differences

Cost

Varies significantly. See table below for latest prices.

Additional Services

The traveller companies that supply these visa services all have many other useful services most notably Opening a Bank Account and getting your NI Number both of which are essential working in the UK. A significant discount is often offered if you decide to purchase the additional options at the same time. See Package Price and Details in table below.

Process

The biggest difference between services offered is in the way applications are sent. Some send the final application for you and some check your application and supporting documents then you send it. We can't see a significant advantage either way, as long as it's correct — it's correct.

Comparison Table

Quick comparison of services available maintained by Workgateways:

  1st Contact Visa First
Tier 5 cost $239 AUD $200 AUD
+ Tier 5 government fee (from 6 April 2011) £190 or $315AUD £190 or $315AUD
Package Price for Tier 5 (includes bank account) $299 AUD For a limited time, only $275 AUD! $235 AUD
Ancestry Visa cost $239 AUD $200 AUD
+ Ancestry Visa government fee (from 6 April 2011) £265 or $437AUD £265 or $437AUD
Package Price for Ancestry (includes bank account) $299 AUD $250 AUD
Details on Package options Arrival pack includes Bank Account, NI number £20 extra Arrival pack includes Bank Account, NI number application
Discount offered for purchasing Visa and Package $60 AUD $75 AUD
Process Online and Telephone (They submit if in Australia) Online and Telephone (You submit)
Nationalities Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, Japanese Australian, New Zealand, Canadian
Guarantee (no visa no fee) Yes Yes
Free Call Numbers (provided after making application) All have international numbers for Canadians and Japanese applicants Aus and NZ Aus, NZ, CAN
Biometric Appointment booked for you Yes Yes
  Learn more and purchase - 1st Contact » Learn more and purchase - Visa First »