What is the Youth Mobility Visa?

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is designed for young professionals seeking to experience life in the United Kingdom without initially committing to a full Work Visa. It is available to individuals aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on their country of origin.

This visa allows young people from participating countries or territories to live and work in the UK for up to two years. During their stay, visa holders are allowed to:

• Enroll in academic courses, although specific courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
• Work (subject to certain limitations).
• Be self-employed, provided they meet specific conditions (e.g., renting premises, equipment costs under £5,000, and no employees).
• Leave and re-enter the UK at any time.

Visa Extension

Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand nationals can extend their Youth Mobility Visa for an additional year after the initial 2-year period. This extension, available only once, allows them to stay longer in the UK. The applicant must live in the UK and have a valid Youth Mobility Scheme visa to apply.

Visa Pathway

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain in the UK. However, Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders can apply from within the UK to switch to a route that eventually leads to settlement.

Dependents

Dependents are not eligible to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Youth Mobility Visa Benefits

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa offers a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in new cultures, gain valuable work experience, and enjoy the dynamic lifestyle in the UK. Here are the key benefits of this visa:

1. Study: Enrol in academic courses in the UK. Some courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
2. Work: Work in most jobs with minimal restrictions, allowing you to build professional experience.
3. Self-Employment: You can start your own business under specific conditions: you must rent your premises, have equipment valued at no more than £5,000, and not hire employees.
4. Travel: Enjoy the freedom to leave and re-enter the UK anytime during your stay.

Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot Process

Due to the high demand for the Youth Mobility Visa, applicants from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India must enter a ballot system which works similarly to a lottery where applicants are chosen at random. The ballot typically opens for 48 hours in January and July each year.

How to Enter the Ballot

To enter the ballot, you must email the Home Office within the 48 hours with the following details:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Mobile phone number

Post-Ballot Steps

Successful applicants will receive an invitation to apply and have 30 days to submit their visa application and pay the necessary fees. After applying, you will have 90 days to book a biometrics appointment.

Requirements & Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Youth Mobility Visa, applicants must meet specific nationality, age, and financial criteria outlined in the Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme of the UK’s Immigration Rules. These requirements ensure that only eligible young people can access the scheme.

To qualify for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, applicants must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that they meet the following conditions:

• Age Requirement: You are between 18 and 30 years old (or 18 and 35 for nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea) on the application date.
• Nationality Requirement: You are a citizen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Iceland, Monaco, Andorra, Uruguay, Taiwan, or San Marino, or a British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, or British National (Overseas).
• Additional Requirements for Indian Citizens: You hold an educational qualification equivalent to or above RQF level 6, or have a minimum of three years' work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
• Financial Requirement: You have £2,530 in funds held for 28 days within the 31 days before your application.
• Dependents: You do not have any children under 18 who live with you or are financially dependent on you. However, children born during your UK residence as a Youth Mobility Visa holder may be added as your Dependent.
• Previous Participation: You have not previously been on the Youth Mobility Scheme route in the UK.
• Fees and Charges: You have paid the visa application fee and Immigration Health Charge and provided any required biometric information.
• Health Requirements: You have taken a tuberculosis test if required.
• General Grounds for Refusal: You do not fall under the general grounds for refusal.

You cannot apply if:

• You have children under the age of 18 living with you.
• You have previously visited the UK through the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• You have children or dependents for whom you are financially responsible.

Financial Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial independence and readiness for their stay in the UK. They must have at least £2,530 in savings to meet the financial requirements. This amount must be maintained for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, and proof must be provided via a bank statement.

Country Specific Requirements & Eligibility

The requirements for applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme vary depending on your nationality or citizenship. The following outlines the necessary criteria:

Andorra

• Provide a certificate of criminal records issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

Hong Kong or Taiwan

• You need to have received an invitation to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Submit your application within the time limit specified on the invitation.

Iceland

• Provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

India

• Requirements include:
  • An invitation to apply to the Youth Mobility Scheme.
  • Submission of your application within the period specified on the invitation.
  • The unique application number for the invitation.
  • A local police certificate or a police clearance certificate issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.
  • A qualification equal to or above RQF level 6.

San Marino

• Provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs confirming suitability for the Youth Mobility Scheme. This letter must be issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

Uruguay

• Provide a Certificate of Judicial Records issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

Quotas

The Youth Mobility Scheme offers annual quotas for citizens from various countries to apply for visas. The allocations for 2024 are as follows:

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There is no quota for British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, or British National (Overseas) citizens who qualify for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Citizens from Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are allocated visas through ballots. These ballots typically occur twice a year, in January and July. Interested applicants must register during the application window to be included in the ballot. If selected, they have 30 days to submit their application.

Documentation Requirements

The exact document requirements will vary depending on your circumstances, but when applying for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will generally need to include the following documents:

1. Passport: Your current passport must have at least one blank page and be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
2. Bank Statement: The bank statement must show you have a minimum of £2,530 in savings. The funds must have been held in your account for at least 28 days within the last 31 days before your application.
3. Tuberculosis (TB) Test Result: If you are from a country where this test is mandatory, you must have a clear TB test result.
4. Visa Fee and Health Surcharge: Pay the visa fee and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge.
5. Biometric Information: You will need to provide biometric information, including your fingerprints and photograph.

A certified translation is required for any documents not in English or Welsh.

Application Fees

The Youth Mobility Visa application fee is £298. A healthcare surcharge of £776 per year is typically required but not included in the application fee.

Processing Time

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually receive your Youth Mobility Visa decision within 3 weeks.

How to Apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

Applications are made online; the earliest you can apply is six months before travel. To apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa:

• Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the visa.
• Check Ballot Country: Verify if your country participates in the ballot system.
  1. Email the Home Office: Email the Home Office with your name, date of birth, passport number, and mobile phone number.
  2. Wait for Selection: You will receive an email notification if you are selected. Once you receive this, proceed with the following steps:
• Complete the Online Application: Fill out the application form online.
• Pay Fees: Pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge.
• Biometric Appointment: Schedule an appointment at your nearest visa application centre to provide your fingerprints and photo for your biometric residence permit. Alternatively, you can use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' mobile app. You will be informed about your biometric options when you apply.
• Await Outcome: You will receive the outcome of your application within three weeks.

Duration of Stay

The Youth Mobility Visa permits individuals to stay in the UK for up to 24 months. If you reach the age of 31 while in the UK, you are still allowed to remain for the entire duration of your visa.

Permitted Activities

As a Youth Mobility Scheme visa holder, you are allowed to:

• Work in the UK, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
• Be self-employed, provided you have no employees, the total value of your business equipment does not exceed £5,000, and you do not own any premises for your business, apart from your home.
• Study in the UK. In that case, you must comply with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), which requires a certificate to study certain postgraduate subjects. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the Republic of Korea are exempt from the ATAS requirement.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders cannot:

• Access public funds.
• Work as a professional sportsperson.
• Extend your stay, except for citizens of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand.
• Include family members in your application, except for children born in the UK after you arrive.

Extending Your Youth Mobility Visa

If you hold a Youth Mobility Visa and are a citizen of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, you can apply for a one-year extension to extend your stay beyond the initial 24 months.

Application Timing

• Apply online up to 28 days before your current visa expires.

Identity Verification

You will either:

• Use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or
• Provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

You will receive specific instructions on what to do when you apply and a decision on your application will be made within 8 weeks.

Travel Restrictions

• Once your application is decided, you can only travel within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.

Switching Visa

Before your Youth Mobility Scheme visa expires, you may be able to switch to another immigration category from within the UK. Potential routes include:

• Family visa
• Partner visa
• Skilled Worker route
• Innovator Founder route
• Graduate visa

The QC Immigration team can advise on the most suitable route based on your circumstances.

Refused Application

If your Youth Mobility Visa application is refused, you can seek an Administrative Review or explore alternative visa options. An administrative review must be submitted within 28 days of the refusal decision.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Concerns about the applicant’s conduct, character, associations, or other factors that make granting permission not conducive to the public good.
• The applicant has a criminal record, depending on the type and duration of the sentence and how long ago it was.
• The applicant provided false information on their application.
• The applicant has previously breached immigration rules.
• The applicant has previously used the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• The applicant has dependent children under the age of 18.
• The applicant is already in the UK.

Administrative Review

If you believe the refusal was due to a mistake by the Home Office, you may apply for an Administrative Review. This must be done within 28 days of the refusal decision. To apply, complete the online application form and pay a fee of £80. Clearly explain the errors you believe the Home Office made that led to your visa refusal.

Get Advice on Youth Mobility Scheme Visas

The Youth Mobility Visa offers young people a fantastic opportunity to experience life, work, or study in the UK. It is one of the more straightforward visa applications. However, it is still important to understand the eligibility criteria and provide the correct documentation to navigate the application process successfully.

This visa may also be the first step in a longer-term plan. The QC Immigration team can advise on how best to plan for your future applications.

QC Immigration has extensive experience guiding Youth Mobility Scheme visas and all other UK visa routes. Whether you prefer to meet our specialists in person or need a fully online service, we can assist you with all UK immigration concerns. Since immigration rules often get updated, we recommend discussing your UK visa options with our team to ensure you are well-informed.

With our expertise, you can save time and reduce the risk of submitting an incomplete or non-compliant application, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and stress-free journey to obtaining a place on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.