Can I Work Whilst on a Gap Year Abroad

A gap year is an amount of time that is taken out, usually from study though sometimes from work, in order to travel. Many students will take a gap year during further or higher education and use this as an opportunity to see new parts of the world.

A gap year may sound like an extended holiday, but many employers celebrate applicants who have taken this time out as they recognise that this is an opportunity for individuals to develop personal skills, enhance self-confidence and appease wanderlust prior to committing to full-time work positions. What's more, a gap year often allows an individual to connect with others thanks to shared travel experiences and this can serve well for businesses that have customer relations roles.

The following guide explains whether it is legal for you to work whilst on a gap year. Travelling for an extended period of time can be expensive and many people can only afford this experience if they are able to earn money along the way. The guide explains what sort of work is accessible, your rights as an employee abroad and what international laws you must abide by.

Why do people take a gap year?

People take a gap year for a host of different reasons. Some people want to see a specific country whereas others see it as an opportunity to enjoy some freedom before being tied to a career.

The benefits of a gap year are countless and range from developing independence and self-confidence through to learning about new countries and cultures. Some employers even consider a gap year to be a desired inclusion on a CV as it helps to ensure that applicants have quenched a thirst for travel prior to beginning employment.

Gap years may be taken purely for recreational reasons, perhaps to bond with friends or to explore new lands or because they are beneficial to career plans. Those who want to work in industries such as travel and tourism or even medicine may find that a gap year provides a host of experience that can only be discovered outside of the UK.

Is it legal to work anywhere I go on a gap year?

Unfortunately, there is no blanket answer as to whether you can work in any destination whilst on a gap year as you must follow the laws of each country you visit. On the whole, it will be possible to find some sort of legal work whilst you are travelling, but some countries might have stricter rules.

Remember, if you work illegally whilst abroad, you are risking being deported from that country as well as voiding any insurance you have whilst you are there. If you are not entitled to work in a specific job or destination but take on a position anyway, you will not be entitled to the employee rights, protection or rewards that are offered to legally employed staff.

What sort of work can I do legally whilst on a gap year?

There are a host of jobs that you could do whilst on a gap year, many of which providing valuable and fun experiences. Some of the most common gap year jobs include:

• Bar work
• Teaching English as a foreign or second language
• Babysitting, childmind or working as an au-pair
• Gardening
• Cleaning
• Being an English guide for certain venues and attractions
• Some retail work
• Camp instructors
• Sports and recreational activities leader

In many instances, you will be able to pair your need to earn money with your hobbies and skills and therefore develop your experiences to perfectly suit your needs.

Is it possible to work full time whilst abroad on a gap year?

Some specialist travel agents will help you find the ideal work placement so that you can fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle of a native employee whilst in a specific country. For example, you might travel to Australia to work on a conservation or wildlife project, journey to Japan to teach English as a second language to schoolchildren, visit America to work as a leader at a Summer camp or take on an internship with a game reserve or veterinary clinic throughout Africa.

It is advisable to arrange these types of work placements through a specialist agent, as they will ensure that you are offered a legal position with a reputable employer as well as making sure that you receive a fair wage, good insurance and relevant working visas.

Will I need a visa for gap year work?

Visas are the legal documents that are required by some countries in order for entry to be allowed. The type of visa that you will need will depend on factors including where you are from, whether you want to work and how long you want to stay in the destination. For a gap year, you will probably want to choose a tourist visa or a working holiday visa.

A tourist visa will only allow you to enter the country for a certain amount of time and will not give permission for you to work whilst you're there. The working holiday visa will also allow you entry but will also give permission for you to take on employment during your stay.

The terms of your working visa will differ depending on the country that you're going to visit. Many countries will need you to arrange visas prior to travel, although some will offer the option to sort the visa out when you land. Be sure to check what's needed before you fly as getting it wrong can be costly and time consuming.

Once your visa has been issued, you'll need to carefully understand the terms. You may be able to take on work in specific areas only and you will only be allowed to stay and work for a set amount of time unless you can renew the visa. Do not work unless you have the permissions to do so as fines and deportation are almost guaranteed.