I had almost been expecting to have my application for a UK Working Holiday Visa (now known as the “Youth Mobility Scheme”) rejected. Of course, that expectation was almost an attempt to make the opposite happen (if I kept on thinking that the worst would happen, then the best would surprise me), but evidently the UK do not subscribe to a number of things, including my little concept of reverse-psychology with regards to fate, as well as what most people would consider common sense.

My application was returned by a lovely man from Australia Post, who roused me from a nice sleep-in (one of the perks of being unemployed) and had me sign my life away on his PDA thing before handing me the post pack from the UK Consulate. I opened it, for once hoping that all I had been told by others as they attempted to belay my fears were true – that the UK mob could get their act together. I looked through my passport quickly (now seeing that it had been crumpled somewhat in transit), and finding no new sticker inside, I read the single page generic printout which was enclosed, and the one point which was highlighted and ticked.

“You have applied too early for your entry clearance into the UK. Your application should be lodged no more than 3 months prior to your intended date of arrival into the UK. This is based on guidance from UK Immigration and is designed to enable the Entry Clearance Officer to assess your circumstances closer to the time of your entry into the UK. Please note that if you have already provided your biometric data you will not recieve a refund.”

Right… So with my plans to take the long way to Europe, through South-East Asia, the Middle East, etc. which I expect to take me 6-12 months to get anywhere near England, how do they expect me to apply within 3 months of getting there?

So, I am now trying to find or figure a way around this limitation. Sure, I could reapply with a date set 2.99 months in the future to satisfy that requirement, but then I will lose 6-12 months of the Visa period in travels. Or I could shoot home and reapply before returning to my journey, but that will be expensive (probably costing $2000 or so all told). Or I could try and mail my passport home and have the application done that way, but then I may be risking ejection from the country I am in at the time, as you are meant to have your passport with you at all times…

It also does just add fuel to the fires currently raging in Australia regarding the massive changes seen in people’s attitudes to the UK Working Holiday arrangement. Previously, due to exchange rates and pay grades, it was not unheard of for people to go over to the UK, work for a few years, and come home with money up their sleeves, having earnt enough to cover their expenses, travel and save. Lately, and from more and more people, I have been hearing of people coming back from working holdays in the UK with no cash, but a large credit card debt. Maybe that is why so many Aussies are heading home rather than sticking out the northern hemisphere’s winter this year. Can’t blame them.

Now I just have to figure out whether dealing with all the bureaucracy of the UK Government is worth my while. They have already taken my money, and from what that letter states, it is non-refundable. So do I write off $300 or so and just ignore the UK, or do I try and work another way around the problem to satisfy their requirements and still get in.

Dunno yet. I did write an email to someone in their office advising them of my situation and asking what options are available to me, but, as I am not paying rates similar to those I paid for my short telephone conversation with their operator (a princely sum of $2.75 per minute, which was in exchange for no held whatsoever), I doubt they will want to help me terribly much. So much for a public service.

Will have to see what the end result is, so stay tuned.