Tower Bridge

Youth Mobility Scheme 2024

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is a visa category which has been introduced to encourage young people to come to the UK to look for employment or gain work experience. 

Make an enquiry

What is a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is an immigration route which has replaced the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5). It grants young adults from eligible countries and territories the opportunity to live and work in the UK, and experience life in the country more generally. 

Those who make a successful application to the Youth Mobility Scheme UK will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. Individuals from Australia, Canada or New Zealand will have the opportunity to extend their visa by an additional 12 months.

 

Eligibility requirements

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

  • Be between 18 and 30 years old (or between 18 - 35 years old if you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea).

  • Be a citizen of an eligible country or territory.

  • Have funds of at least £2,530.

  • Take a Tuberculosis (TB) test if required, in the country of origin.

  • Not have previously spent time in the UK under this scheme.

  • Not have any children under 18 who live with you or who you are financially responsible for.

There may be additional country-specific requirements.

 

Participating countries

If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will be able to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme:

  • Andorra

  • Iceland

  • Japan

  • Monaco
  • San Marino
  • Uruguay
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea

If you are a citizen of the following countries, you will be able to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme. However, you must first be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot.

  • Hong Kong 

  • Taiwan

Additionally, you may be eligible to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme if you identify as the following:

  • British overseas citizen
  • British overseas territories citizen
  • British national (overseas)

Youth Mobility Scheme Quota 2023

Country or territory Places available (2023) Places Available (2024)
Andorra N/A 100
Australia 35,000 45,000
Canada 8,000 8,000
Hong Kong 1,000 1,000
Iceland 1,000 1,000
India N/A 3,000
Japan 1,500 6,000
Monaco 1,000 1,000
New Zealand 13,000 8,500
Republic of Korea 1,000 5,000
San Marino 1,000 1,000
Taiwan 1,000 1,000
Uraguay N/A 500

 

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa for Indian Nationals

If you are an Indian National who is aged between 18 and 30 years old who may be eligible to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme.

To be eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme you must:

  • Be an Indian citizen between 18 and 30.

  • Have a qualification which is above RQF level 6.

  • Have funds of at least £2,530.

  • Not have any children under 18 who live with you or whom you are financially responsible for.

To be able to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme you must first be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot. In 2023, 3,000 spaces for this scheme will be available.

 

Required documents

When making an application for the Youth Mobility Visa UK, you will be required to provide the following documents:

  • A valid passport or another document which confirms your identity and nationality. Your passport must have a blank page for your visa.

  • A bank statement which shows that you have at least £2,530 in savings.

  • TB test results if you are from a listed country.

  • If you are from Hong Kong or Taiwan then you must provide the Home Office email which shows that you were successful in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot.

Individuals will be required to prove their identity by either attending a biometrics appointment or by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Additional documents (per country of application)

Uraguay

Applicants must provide Uruguayan certificate of judicial records. It must have been issued less than 6 months applying.

San Marino

Applicants 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.

- Been issued less than 6 months before applying.

Iceland
Applicants must provide an Icelandic criminal certificate for private use. It must have been issued less than 6 months before applying.

Hong Kong or Taiwan

Applicants must provide a valid email from the Home Office confirming success in the Youth Mobility scheme ballot.

Andorra

Applicant must provide a Criminal records check from Andorra. This document must have been issued less than 6 months before applying.

 

Permitted activities

Individuals with a UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa are able to do the following while in the UK:

  • Study in the UK (however for some courses you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate).

  • Work in the UK (subject to conditions).

  • Be self-employed and set up a company in the UK (provided that the business premises are rented, there are no other employees, and the equipment is not worth more than £5,000).

  • Applicants from Australia, Canada or New Zealand can extend their stays.

 

Prohibited activities

Individuals with a UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa cannot to do the following while in the UK:

  • Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

  • Claim public funds.

  • Undertake self-employment which doesn’t meet the conditions laid out previously.

Youth Mobility Visa Fees

Our fees reflect the service required and the complexities of the case. For a tailored quote please consult one of our immigration lawyers. As an immigration law firm, we offer our clients an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer in order to get more detail about your case.

Make an enquiry
Our Fees - Mock Up-1
cross icon

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme Application Process

How to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

To apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you will need to complete an online application.

As part of the application process you will be required to provide supporting documents to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements and to prove your identity. When it comes to proving your identity you will be able to do this by either attending a visa application centre or by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. In addition to this, as part of the application process you will be required to pay the application fee and the immigration health surcharge.

Please note that if you are from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, or Taiwan you will need to be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you make an application. 

 

How many times can you get a Youth Mobility Visa?

You can only spend time in the UK on a Youth Mobility Visa once. Therefore, if you have spent time previously on this visa you cannot reapply, however, if you are unsuccessful in your application and haven’t previously spent time in the UK under this route, then you will be able to reapply in the future (providing that you meet the requirements). 

 

How much does the Youth Mobility Visa cost?

The Youth Mobility Visa costs £298. However, in addition to this you will be required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge which stands at £776 for each year you are in the UK. Therefore, in total the cost of applying for the Youth Mobility Visa is £1,850.

- Correct at the time of writing - 26th April 2024.

 

How long does it take to get a Youth Mobility Visa?

Once you have submitted your Youth Mobility visa application, proved your identity, and provided any required documents, then you will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks.

 

How long can I stay in the UK on a Youth Mobility Visa?

With a Youth Mobility Visa you will be able to stay in the UK for up to 2 years. Individuals from Australia, Canada or New Zealand may be able to extend their visa by an additional 12 months.

 

Can I bring my spouse with me on a Youth Mobility Visa?

No, you cannot bring your spouse with you on a Youth Mobility Visa. If your spouse wishes to join you in the UK then they will be able to apply separately to the scheme providing that they meet the eligibility requirements.

Youth Mobility Visa: FAQs

How can I apply for the Youth Mobility Visa UK?

You must apply for a Youth Mobility Visa UK online. If you are from Hong Kong or Taiwan then you must successfully go through the ballot before applying.

When should I apply for the Youth Mobility Visa?

As a first step, you must apply for one of the places available in your country when the ballot opens, which will usually be in the January of each year and again in the summer (June or July). If you are successful in the ballot then you can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa up to six months before you travel to the UK.

What is the cost of a UK Youth Mobility Visa?

A UK Youth Mobility Visa has an application fee of £298, but it is important to note that in addition to this fee, applicants must also meet the financial requirements and pay the immigration healthcare surcharge, typically priced at £776 per year.

Correct at the time of writing - 26th April 2024

How long can you stay in the UK if you apply for a Youth Mobility Visa?

If you apply for a Youth Mobility Visa, you will be able to stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

The Youth Mobility Scheme cannot be extended, therefore, if you wish to remain in the UK you must switch to another immigration route.

Sana Bukhsh

Enquire now about the Youth Mobility visa

Complete the contact form and one of our immigration advisors will get back to you as soon as they can. Our immigration advisors will be in touch to arrange an initial telephone appointment with one of our immigration lawyers.

  • High Potential Individual Visa

    High Potential Individual Visa

    If you are the alumni of one of the top global universities (as classified by the UK Government) you may be eligible to apply for the High Potential Individual visa which will enable you to work and live in the UK for at least 2 years.

    Learn more
  • India Young Professionals Scheme

    India Young Professionals Scheme

    If you are an Indian citizen aged between 18 and 30 years old and you wish to live and work in the UK then the India Young Professionals Scheme visa may be a more appropriate option for you.

    Learn more
  • Visitor Visa

    Visitor Visa

    If you are only looking to come to the UK for a short visit and you meet the eligibility requirements then the Visitor visa may be a more appropriate visa for you.

    Learn more