Youth Mobility Scheme Visa - Overview

[UK] Essential Info • By Vocation Abroad • Published on January 29

◆Youth Mobility Scheme Visa◆

Your Gateway to the UK:

Exploring Opportunities with the Youth Mobility Scheme

Embark on an exciting journey to discover the UK’s rich heritage, diverse culture, and modern way of life through the Youth Mobility Scheme.

This unique program, designed for young adventurers from around the globe, allows you to experience life in the UK while working to support your travels.

With opportunities to explore iconic landmarks, vibrant cities, and scenic countryside, the scheme fosters cultural exchange and unforgettable experiences in the heart of the United Kingdom.

★Key Points★

・Age Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old when your visa starts and apply before turning 31 or 36, depending on your country of citizenship.

・Length of Stay: The visa is valid for up to 24 months. Citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for a one-year extension, allowing up to 36 months in total

・Financial Requirements: You must have at least £2,530 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days before applying.

Proof of a return ticket or adequate funds to purchase one is also required.

・Work and Study:

- You can work in most jobs and study during your stay.

- Starting a business is allowed under certain conditions (e.g., rented premises, equipment worth less than £5,000, no employees).

・Extension Eligibility: Only citizens of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand can apply for a one-year extension.

A. Who Can Apply

・Individuals who:

- are aged 18 to 30 (or up to 35 for certain countries in green) from eligible nations, including the following countries;

Andorra / Australia Canada / Hong Kong* / Iceland / Japan / Monaco / New Zealand / San Marino / South Korea / Taiwan* / Uruguay   

- Hold certain types of British nationality (British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, or British national (overseas))

◎You must be at least 18 years old when your visa becomes valid and 30 (or 35) or under at the time of application. It is possible to apply before you turn 18, and you can still start your visa even if you're older than 30 (or 35) at that time.

＊If you are from Hong Kong with a SAR passport or from Taiwan, you must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before applying for your visa.

*A separate scheme is available for Indian nationals. Verify your eligibility for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. https://www.gov.uk/india-young-professionals-scheme-visa

B. Length of Stay

Up to 24 months

◎If you're from Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, you may be eligible to extend your visa by one year after the initial 2-year period.

C. Cost

Applicants need to:

- Pay an application fee of £298.

- Pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £776 per year.

>>> You can check how much you will have to pay from here:

https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

D. What You Can Do

You can:

- Study (for some courses, an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate may be required)

- Work in most jobs

- Be self-employed and set up a company, provided your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000, and you do not have any employees

- Enter the UK at any time while your visa is valid and leave and return during your stay

E. Eligibility

To be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you must:

✔Hold a passport from an eligible country or region 

✔Be aged 18 or over when your visa starts

✔Apply before reaching the age limit (30 or 35, depending on your country)

✔Have enough money - a minimum of £2,530 in your bank, held for at least 28 consecutive days, with day 28 within 31 days of applying.

◎For more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-evidence-for-sponsored-or-endorsed-work-routes

✔Not have children under 18 who live with you or whom you're financially responsible for

✔ Not have previously been in the UK under the scheme

F. Additional Requirements

Some applicants may face additional requirements depending on their nationality:

  1. Ballot Selection:
  • Citizens of some countries (such as Hong Kong and Taiwan) must be selected in a random ballot to apply.
  • Ballots typically open twice a year, and only those selected can proceed with the application.
  1. Documents:

Applicants must provide specific documents such as a valid passport, bank statements, and proof of ballot selection (if applicable). Depending on your country of origin, additional documents may include:

  • If you’re from Andorra:
  • You must provide an Andorran certificate of criminal records, issued less than 6 months before applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
  • If you’re from Hong Kong or Taiwan:
  • You must provide a valid email from the Home Office confirming you were successful in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot.
  • If you’re from Iceland:
  • You must provide an Icelandic criminal certificate for private use (called a Sakavottorð), issued less than 6 months before applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
  • If you’re from San Marino:
  • You must provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs.
  • The letter must:
  • Confirm that you are suitable for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
  • Have been issued less than 6 months before applying for the visa.
  • If you’re from Uruguay:
  • You must provide a Uruguayan certificate of judicial records (called a Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales), issued less than 6 months before applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
  • Any documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation.

1. Sponsors:

  • Applicants from countries like Hong Kong and Taiwan must include a sponsorship certificate in their application.

2. Tuberculosis (TB) Test:

  • Applicants from specific countries may need to take a tuberculosis test and provide a certificate with their application.
  • ◎More information on the TB test: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

G. Application Process

Apply from outside the UK:

You must apply online for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents:

As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on your nationality and passport type.

You will either:

  • Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
  • Have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.

You will be informed about the process when you apply.

If an appointment is required:

  • The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.
  • You might need to travel to the nearest visa application centre, which could be in another country.
  • In some cases, you can pay for a faster decision.

H. Extending Your Visa

Who can extend their visa?

  • You can only apply to extend your Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you’re from Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.
  • You can extend your visa for one additional year.

Conditions for extension:

To extend your visa, you must:

  • Be living in the UK.
  • Hold a valid Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
  • Your extended visa will be valid from the day after your original visa ends, and you can only extend your visa once.

Fees:

  • Application fee: £298.
  • Immigration health surcharge: £776.

Application process for extension:

  • You must apply online, no more than 28 days before your current visa expires.
  • Do not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you receive a decision.

Proving your identity and providing documents:

As part of your extension application, you will either:

  • Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
  • Have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

Processing time:

  • You will receive a decision on your application within 8 weeks.
  • You may be able to pay for a faster decision.

◆For further details, refer to the official UK government website: Youth Mobility Scheme.