Now available for Work in Britain participants:
enhanced facilities and resources in BUNAC's London office so that job and accommodation hunting is now easier and more convenient than ever.
In addition to the standard services such as access to computers and payphones, mail drop and forwarding, bulletin boards, faxing and photocopying facilities, participants now have free internet access and free access to BUNAC's intranet. All current job and accommodation vacancies throughout the UK are listed and grouped to make searching simple.
Work in Britain
Applications for the 2008 Work in Britain program are no longer being accepted. As a result of changes in UK immigration rules, the present Blue Card program ends on December 31st, 2008. However, the deadline for the issuance of 2008 Blue Cards has now passed and we regret that no further cards can be issued. Anyone already holding a Blue Card has until the end of the year to enter Britain (see below re Entry Clearance).
Since 1966, more than 200,000 US students have spent up to six months living and working in Britain through this program. Taking part on Work in Britain has enabled thousands of participants to experience Britain from the inside while working in every kind of job from interning for Members of Parliament, to serving at a Buckingham Palace banquet, to a summer job in the city of London, to a housekeeping role in a Scottish country house hotel and so much more!'
Discussions are currently under way between the US and UK governments regarding future reciprocal work program opportunities for young people. It is hoped that an agreement will be reached in the near future and that the BUNAC Work in Britain program will be available to US participants for 2009. Please watch the BUNAC website for an up-to-date information on the program.
UK entry deadlines
The Blue Card must be activated within a semester of your last period of full-time study in the USA or university study abroad program, and in any case, no later than December 31st, 2008. Participants planning either (1) to arrive in the UK on or after November 26th, 2008, or (2) to temporarily leave and then return to the UK after that date must obtain Prior Entry Clearance* from a British Consulate before November 26th and before leaving the USA. If this applies to you, please call BUNAC for further information.
The Blue Card is valid from the day you first enter Britain and expires six months later whether you work or not. Although there is no minimum participation time, unless you have a pre-arranged job and accommodation, we suggest you plan to go for at least eight weeks.
*The entry clearance fee is currently £205 (approximately $435) plus postage. Entry Clearance Visa processing is currently taking 4 weeks.