Young people from a select group of countries can use the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme to live and work in Britain for up to two years, with some nationalities eligible to extend their stay for an additional 12 months.
The visa offers successful applicants the opportunity to work in most jobs, study and, under certain conditions, become self-employed or establish a business in the UK.
However, access to the scheme is restricted by nationality and age. While citizens of some participating countries can apply up to the age of 35, others must apply before turning 31.
Countries eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme
1. Australia
Australian citizens aged between 18 and 35 can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Successful applicants can live and work in the UK for up to two years and may qualify to extend their stay for another year.
2. Canada
Canadian citizens between 18 and 35 are also eligible.
The initial visa allows them to remain in the UK for two years, with eligible applicants able to apply for a further 12 months.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand nationals aged 18 to 35 can apply.
Like Australians and Canadians, eligible New Zealand citizens may extend their initial two-year stay by another year.
4. South Korea
South Korean citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply for the scheme.
Applicants must also satisfy the other requirements, including the financial requirement, before they can be granted the visa.
5. Andorra
The age limit is lower for citizens of Andorra.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 to qualify.
6. Iceland
Icelandic citizens aged 18 to 30 can apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme, provided they meet the remaining eligibility conditions.
7. Japan
Japanese nationals between 18 and 30 can apply.
They must also demonstrate that they satisfy the scheme's other requirements.
8. Monaco
Citizens of Monaco aged 18 to 30 are eligible to apply for the visa.
9. San Marino
San Marino nationals between 18 and 30 can apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
10. Uruguay
Uruguayan citizens aged 18 to 30 can also apply, subject to the scheme's other requirements.
Key requirements applicants must meet
Although requirements vary according to nationality, applicants generally need to satisfy several conditions before receiving the visa.
They must:
- Be aged between 18 and 30 or 18 and 35, depending on their nationality.
- Have at least £2,530 in personal savings.
- Hold an eligible nationality covered by the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- Prove their identity.
- Provide the documents required as part of the application process.
Successful applicants can normally live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
They can enter the UK at any point while their visa remains valid and are generally allowed to leave Britain and return during their stay.
How much does the visa cost?
Applicants currently pay a £340 application fee for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
They must also pay the immigration health surcharge, which is generally charged separately and is currently listed at £776 per year.
The financial requirement is separate from these fees, meaning applicants must still demonstrate that they have the required £2,530 in savings.
How quickly can applicants get a decision?
Young people planning to use the scheme do not have to wait until they are ready to travel before applying.
Applications can be submitted up to six months before the planned date of travel to the UK.
After completing the online application, proving their identity and submitting the required documents, applicants will usually receive a decision within three weeks.
What can Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders do?
The visa provides considerable flexibility for young people seeking to experience life in the UK.
Successful applicants can generally:
- Work in most types of employment.
- Study in the UK.
- Become self-employed, subject to the scheme's conditions.
- Establish a company, provided they comply with the restrictions attached to the visa.
There are, however, important restrictions.
Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders cannot work as professional sportspersons and cannot claim most public funds.
They also cannot bring family members to the UK as dependants under their Youth Mobility Scheme application.
Can the visa be extended?
For most participants, the Youth Mobility Scheme visa is limited to the initial two-year period.
There is an exception for eligible citizens of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, who can apply to extend their stay by an additional year.
This means eligible nationals from those three countries may potentially remain in the UK for a total of three years under the scheme.
For young people from participating countries, the Youth Mobility Scheme therefore offers a route to spend several years in Britain while gaining work experience, studying and experiencing life in the UK without applying through the standard work visa routes.