Everything You Need to Know About the UK Youth Mobility Scheme
After the UK-EU summit, many young people are eager to learn about how such schemes work and what they could offer.Whether you want to know about the new scheme in the EU or the existing arrangements with other countries, this blog will lead you through everything you want to know about the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme.
What is the Youth Mobility Scheme?
The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is the UK visa program designed to allow young individuals from participating countries the opportunity to experience life in the United Kingdom for the full two years at most. The scheme provides an opportunity to work, study, and become integrated into British society without the need for employer sponsorship or family connections.
The scheme is based on bilateral agreements between the UK and partner countries, whereby one state offers the same chances to young people from another state. So far, the UK has youth mobility arrangements with countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and several European nations.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme varies slightly depending on your nationality.
For Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, and South Koreans:
You must be 18-35 years old at the time of application
You may apply under the age of 18, but your visa must start after your 18th birthday
You may be over 35 when your visa starts if you applied prior to your 36th birthday
For Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, and Uruguay citizens:
You need to be between 18-30 years old when applying
The same age flexibility holds in relation to when your visa becomes active
For Taiwan nationals and Hong Kong SAR passport holders:
You need to be between 18-30 years old
You need to be ballot-selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme prior to applying
You require a confirmation email from the Home Office confirming your successful ballot selection
For British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens, and British nationals (overseas):
You must be 18-30 years old when applying
You cannot apply if you:
Have dependant children under 18 who live with you
Have financially dependent children
Have already participated in the UK Youth Mobility Scheme
You should note that India has a separate scheme—the India Young Professionals Scheme visa—with separate requirements and processes.
Financial Requirements
One of the persistent requirements for all nationalities is to prove financial independence:
You need to have at least £2,530 in savings
The money needs to have been in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days
Bank statements will be needed as evidence
This financial requirement allows participants to have enough resources to take care of themselves temporarily when they first arrive in the UK, easing pressure on public services and allowing new arrivals time to find employment.
Application Process
The Youth Mobility Scheme application process is simple but needs a careful eye to time and documentation.
Timing Your Application:
Applications open 6 months before your planned travel date
For example, if you want to travel on 1st October, you can apply on 1st April.
Processing will take around 3 weeks once you have completed all the steps.
Required Documents:
A valid passport containing at least one blank page for your visa
Bank statements verifying the specified savings
Tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a nation in which a test is mandatory
Requirements for individual countries are:
Andorra: Certificate of criminal records (within the last 6 months)
Iceland: Criminal certificate for private use (Sakavottorð) (within the last 6 months)
San Marino: Letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs confirming suitability
Uruguay: Judicial record certificate (Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales) (within 6 months)
Hong Kong/Taiwan: Successful ballot choice validated by valid email
All documents that are not in Welsh or English need to be translated by approved translators.
What Does the Visa Entitle?
Youth Mobility Scheme visa offers great flexibility compared to most other UK visa categories:
Duration and Entry
The visa is up to 24 months (2 years)
You can arrive in the UK at any point within the time your visa is valid for
You can leave and re-enter the UK as you want within your visit
If you turn 31 (or 36 for applicable countries) after receiving your visa, you can remain for the full time the visa is valid
Rights and Permissions
As a Youth Mobility Scheme visa holder, you can:
Work in most types of jobs with no restrictions
Study (though some courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
Be self-employed and establish a company, subject to:
Your premises are rented
Your equipment is worth no more than £5,000
You do not have employees
Restrictions
There are, however, some limitations:
You cannot be employed as a professional sportsperson (including coaching)
You cannot draw public money
You cannot name family members on your application (they will have to apply in their own right if they qualify)
You cannot usually extend your stay beyond the initial period
Special Extension Provision
In a notable exception to the non-extension rule, citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can now apply for a one-year extension after their initial two-year period. This extension:
Costs the standard application fee
Must be applied for while still in the UK
Can only be used once
Must be applied for no more than 28 days before your current visa expires
During the application for the extension, applicants would have to remain in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man until the decision is taken.
Looking Ahead: The Potential EU Scheme
The EU-UK youth mobility deal with member states of the European Union would likely have the same terms as present schemes. As per preliminary reports, it would:
Target 18-30 year olds (potentially also under 35 years)
Grant stays for up to two years
Impose equivalent financial burdens
May impose numerical constraints or balancing provisions
For young Brits who lost freedom of movement with Brexit, and for EU citizens who are no longer able to move and work in the UK as before, this scheme would restore valuable opportunities for cross-cultural experience and vocational advancement.
Preparing for a Successful Application
If you are considering applying to the Youth Mobility Scheme, either under existing arrangements or the new proposed EU deal, the following advice is useful:
Plan ahead: Save up to pay the amount required well in advance of your application.
Keep watch for ballot openings: If you’re Hong Kong or Taiwanese, sign up for notices of ballot openings, as these are limited and time-sensitive.
Confirm document validity: Ensure your passport is valid for an adequate timeframe and that any certificates needed (such as criminal records checks) are recent enough to be valid.
Investigate healthcare coverage: While the healthcare surcharge gives you access to the NHS, consider whether additional insurance would be beneficial.
Investigate accommodation: The UK housing market can be challenging, especially in sought-after cities. Research areas and typical prices prior to arrival.
Understand tax implications: Find out whether you’ll have to pay taxes in both your home country and the UK while working overseas.
Build a professional network: Connect with people from your country who’ve worked under the scheme to learn about their experiences and job prospects.
Conclusion
The Youth Mobility Scheme is a great opportunity for international cultural exchange and personal development. Whether it’s through existing arrangements or the potential future EU agreement, it gives young people the chance to immerse themselves in British culture while contributing their skills and ideas to the UK.
For those already eligible under current arrangements, the door remains open for them to apply, with pathways through which to live in the United Kingdom for up to two years—and more for some with the new extension options.
The Youth Mobility Scheme itself is a great reflection of international cooperation and exchange above politics on which it depends, offering life-changing opportunities for the next generation of global citizens.
Ready to explore your visa options? Check which programs you qualify for by filling out our form or email us at info@alliancevisas.com
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