What is Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows young people from participating countries or territories to experience life in the UK for up to two years.
If you’re granted a visa, you will be able to work in most jobs and study in the UK for the duration of your visa’s validity. You may also be self-employed, under certain conditions.
You will also be free to leave and re-enter the UK at any time during your stay.
However, the UK Youth Mobility Visa cannot be extended and you cannot bring any dependents with you to the UK on this visa.
What Can I Do With a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
If you’re granted a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you will be able to:
- Study
- You may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate if you’re intending to study in a course related to the development or delivery of weapons of mass destruction
- Work in most jobs
- Be self-employed and set up a company, as long as:
- Your premises are rented
- Your equipment is not worth more than £5,000
- You do not have any employees
You will not be able to:
Work as a professional sportsperson
Extend your stay beyond the allocated two years
Access public funds
Bring family members, such as dependents, with you on the same application
If you wish to bring family members with you, they must apply separately
If you intend to work as a sportsperson in the UK, you may instead be eligible for a dedicated Sportsperson visa.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
In order to to be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you must:
- Be aged 18 to 30 at the time of application (or aged 18 to 35 if you’re from New Zealand. Australian applicants aged 18 to 35 will also be able to apply from 31 January 2024).
- Be from one of the eligible countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- Monaco
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- India
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Have funds of at least £2,530 in your bank account, which you must have had for 28 days in a row within the 31 days before your application
- Not fall under the UK government’s grounds for refusal policies
You may also apply if you are a:
- British overseas citizen
- British overseas territories citizen
- British national (overseas)
You will not be eligible for the YMS visa if:
- You have children under 18 who live with you
- Children who are financially dependent on you
- You have entered the UK while under the scheme before
Note that in order to be eligible for the scheme, you must apply for it within 6 months of the date of your visit to the UK.
What Are the Country-Specific Requirements for the Youth Mobility Visa?
If you’re applying from Australia, Canada, Monaco or New Zealand, there are no additional eligibility criteria for you to follow.
However, other countries in the scheme have specific requirements that youth mobility scheme applicants will need to follow.
- Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan:
- You must be issued with an invitation to apply to the scheme and submit your application within the time limit specified in the invitation
- San Marino:
- You must provide a letter confirming that you’re a suitable candidate for the scheme from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs. It must have been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.
- Iceland:
- You must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.
- India:
- You must:
- Be issued with an invitation to apply to the scheme and submit your application within the time limit specified in the invitation
- Provide the unique application number for that invitation to apply
- provide a local police certificate or a police clearance certificate that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application
- Either have a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in the Skilled Occupations list, or:
- Hold a qualification equal to or above RQF level 6
- You must:
What is the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot?
If you’re applying for the scheme from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan, you must first be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot.
The ballot usually opens in January and July each year. Most applicants are usually chosen in the January ballot and the remaining applicants selected in the July ballot.
The ballots are open for 48 hours at a time. Applicants must send an email during this window to enter.
Your email must be written in English. The subject line of your email must include your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
The subject line must be written in the following format: Lastname Firstname – DD/MM/YYYY – passport number.
The body of the email must include your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Mobile phone number
How Can I Apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
You must apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa online.
You will be asked to fill in the online application form, upload the relevant documents and pay the visa application fee.
As part of your application, you will need to provide the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A bank statement showing you have at least £2,530 in savings
- Your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from one of the following countries:
- Hong Kong
- India
- South Korea
You will also have to prove your identity as part of your application. You will either:
- Have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (for a biometric residence permit)
- Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document
You will be notified of which one you will have to do when you apply.
What are the Fees and Processing Times for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
A Youth Mobility Scheme Visa costs £298 to obtain.
In addition, you will have to pay a yearly National Health Service surcharge. This is usually around £776 per year.
You must also have at least £2,530 in personal savings to be eligible for the scheme.
Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa are usually processed within three weeks.
