According to the Office of National Statistics, over 339,000 citizens left Britain last year - which equates to over 6500 residents departing from the British Isles each week. The main reasons people leave include the appeal of fewer working hours, the hunt for healthier and more relaxed lifestyles, lower house prices and the "promise" of sunshine all year round.

Where are the most common destinations for Brits looking to live and work abroad... and what are your chances of securing a job to make your dream of moving overseas a reality?

Australia

The perceived job prospects in Australia, high salaries and the promise of sunnier weather draw many Brits to the country. The lifestyle is undoubtedly more laid back, but it’s definitely advisable to check out the job prospects in your line of work. While it’s fair to say that some industries are booming, others are not doing so well.

All potential immigrants are assessed via a points system and being skilled in an industry that Australia is in desperate need of will greatly boost your chances of being granted entry to the country. For instance, Australia is currently crying out for approximately 150,000 mining workers, as well as almost every imaginable type of tradesman. There are plenty of websites that offer excellent, up to date advice to ensure that you have done your research before you set off.

USA

In addition to offering an incredible cultural mix across the country, the USA is the economic powerhouse of the world, so it would be plausible to assume this country offers an unparalleled range of employment opportunities. Due to the sheer size of the nation, different states have varying demand for particular types of skilled workers.

Be that as it may, competition for jobs can be extremely high, so it may be difficult to stand out from the crowd. The work visa system is a complex one and requires a great deal of thought and research, especially if you plan to stay in the country in the long term. If any foreign national wishes to work in the United States, they will need to apply for a VISA, commonly known as a Green Card. This can be very time consuming, and the application process comes with no guarantee of success. That being said, millions of people do manage to immigrate to the USA each year. So if the USA is your ideal location to work and you have the necessary professional skills, there is a good chance that your application for the fabled Green Card could be successful.

Canada

Canada has become an extremely popular destination for Brits looking to work abroad due to its beautiful landscape, multicultural society and strong connections with Britain (and other parts of Europe). It boasts an excellent education system, low crime rates and Canadian authorities are actively seeking out certain types of skilled workers looking to relocate in the country.

People that wish to move to Canada are selected as permanent residents based on their level of education, work experience and current knowledge of English (and French in particular regions of the country). There are numerous other parameters that are assessed, which help to

determine the chances of a potential immigrant successfully establishing themselves in Canada. The number of jobs available in Canada are growing steadily and the Canadian economy currently seems to be faring better than the USA and the many other Western economies.