FCO: Follow correct legal procedures for working overseas

People applying to participate in work abroad must ensure they go through the necessary legal procedures, it has been claimed.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) explained that Brits usually need permission to work in another country - unless they are travelling within the European Economic Area.

"To work anywhere else you usually need to be sponsored by an overseas employer – which could be a different office of your current company," the FCO noted.

Under normal circumstances, the employer will have to prove they could not find a local person to do the job.

"Fortunately many countries have specific immigration programmes that allow young travellers, graduates or professionals from Britain to take paid training positions with local companies," the FCO stated.

So if travellers arrange their gap year through a reputable organisation, most of the hassle is removed from the process.

"Most of these programmes must be arranged through a sponsoring organisation such as BUNAC and typically you have to be a graduate or have relevant work experience to qualify," the office added.

It explained that Australia, New Zealand and Japan offer useful working holiday visas that allow people to work and travel for up to a year.

"These schemes are designed for people who want to take on casual work while they travel to top up their funds," the FCO stated.

Travellers also have the option of participating in voluntary work abroad, with placements ranging from a few days in length to a few months and beyond.

According to the FCO, the most common way to get a place on a project is to arrange it in advance with an agency in the UK.

"This can be a great way to see a country in depth and make new friends. The Year Out Group is one place to begin your research – you don't have to be on a gap year to volunteer," it stated.

Click here for gap year advice.