Youth mobility scheme visa- An overview

Table Of Contents

1. The countries included in the youth mobility scheme
2. Ballot system for Hong Kong and Taiwan
3. Young Professional Scheme for India
4. Eligibility requirements for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
5. Who cannot apply
6. Documents you must provide
7. How to apply
8. When to apply
9. When to expect a decision
10. How long you can stay
11. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Extension
12. What you can do on a UK youth mobility scheme visa
13. What you cannot do on a UK youth mobility scheme visa

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is for young adults from certain participating countries. The youth mobility scheme is a cultural exchange agreement between the UK and several countries that allows the nationals of these countries to live and work in the UK and vice-versa. You don’t need a sponsorship from a UK-based employer to work in the UK for up to 2 years. However, Australian and Canadian citizens can apply for an extension of another year. The age bar for the scheme is 18 and up to 30 including the age of 30 and 18 and up to 35 including the age of 35 if you are a national of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or Republic of Korea on the date of the application.

The countries included in the youth mobility scheme

• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• Hong Kong with SAR passport
• Iceland
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Republic of Korea
• San Marino
• Taiwan
• Uruguay
• British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens, and British National(Overseas)

Every year, the UK government allocates a certain number of Youth Mobility Scheme Visas to each eligible country.

Ballot system for Hong Kong and Taiwan

Nationals of countries other than Hong Kong and Taiwan don’t need a ballot to enter the scheme. But nationals of Taiwan and Hong Kong do. The ballot in the UK takes place twice a year with certain numbers. For example, this year in 2025 the first ballot will open at 12:01 am on 4 February 2025 and close at 12:01 am on 6 February 2025 February month and the second one in this summer.

Young Professional Scheme for India

For Indian Nationals, there has been a Young Professional Scheme since 2023 which is very similar to the Youth Mobility Scheme. The young professional scheme visa is valid for two years and has the same costs and conditions of work attached to it as the standard Youth Mobility visa.

Eligibility requirements for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

Here are the eligibility requirements that you must meet to be eligible to apply for a UK youth mobility scheme visa:

• You must be aged 18 to 30. This is true for the nationals of all qualifying countries except for nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea for whom the age bar is 18 to 35
• You must be able to support yourself financially in the UK. To prove this you must have at least £2,530 in your bank account. You must have held this amount in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row before you apply. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
• You do not pose a risk to the UK.

Who cannot apply?

You cannot apply if have children aged below 18 who live with you and are financially dependent on you.
You cannot apply if you have already been in the UK under the youth mobility scheme. You may not be able to apply if there exist general grounds for refusal in your case such as you have previously breached UK immigration law.

Documents you must provide

At the time of application, you will be required to submit certain documents. These documents include:

• A valid passport (with at least one blank page in it for your visa) or another travel document to prove your identity and nationality
• Your bank statement to show you have the savings of £2,530 in your account
• You may have to show a clear TB test report if you come from a country where you have to take the test.
• Certified translated copies of any documents that are not in English or Welsh language.

You may have to submit additional documents depending on your circumstances and the country you come from.

How to apply?

You must apply from outside the UK and you must apply online for entry clearance. While applying you need to prove your identity. There are 2 ways to prove your identity:

1. By using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app where you can scan your identity
   document;
2. Submit your biometrics (your fingerprints and photograph) taken

As part of your application, you need to pay the application fee of £298.
You also need to pay the healthcare surcharge of £776 per year of staying in the UK on this visa.
You don’t need to fill out the application form in one go. You can fill it out partially, save it, and complete it later.

When to apply?

You can apply for a UK youth mobility scheme visa not more than 6 months before you travel.

When to expect a decision?

Usually, you should get a decision on your application within 3 weeks after you apply. You can pay an amount of pay £500 on top of the application fee for a ‘priority service’ to get a faster decision usually within 5 working days.
You can also pay an amount of pay £1,000 on top of the application fee for a ‘super priority service’ to get a decision usually by the end of the next working day. However, if you scanned your identity documents on the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app you cannot avail super-priority service.

How long you can stay?

You can live and work for 2 years in the UK on a UK youth mobility scheme visa. You can enter, leave, and re-enter the UK at any time during the validity period of your visa. The upper age limit for this visa is 30 years but if you turn 31 after your visa is issued you can stay in the UK as long as your visa is valid.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Extension

Only citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for an extension for one more year. They must be in the UK to apply for an extension and also have a valid youth mobility scheme visa on the date of application for extension.
For visa extension, applicants need to pay the application fee and immigration health surcharge of £298 and £776 respectively.

What you can do on a UK youth mobility scheme visa?

You can study in most courses. For some courses, you will need a certificate from an Academic Technology Approval Scheme. You can also work in most roles.                

You can also be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you have no employees.

What you cannot do on a UK youth mobility scheme visa?

You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, extend your stay unless you are from Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, receive public funds, or bring any family members to the UK on your visa.

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