Youth Mobility Scheme Visa UK (YMS Visa)

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme visa in UK?

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (YMS) allows young people from participating countries or territories to live and work in the UK for up to two years. Youth Mobility visa enables you to study and gain work experience during your stay.

What can you do with a UK Youth Mobility Visa?

• Enrol and study on academic courses in the UK. Some courses will require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
• Work in most jobs
• Be Self-Employed. You can start your own business, provided you meet specific conditions, such as renting your premises, having equipment costing no more than £5,000, and you do not hire employees.

You will also be free to leave and re-enter the UK at any time during your stay.

What You Cannot Do on a Youth Mobility Visa UK?

• Work as a professional sportsperson
• Extend your stay beyond the allocated two years, unless you are from Canada, New Zealand or Australia where you are permitted to extend for one year
• Access public funds
• Bring family members, such as dependents, with you on the same application. If you wish to bring family members with you, they must apply separately

If you intend to work as a sportsperson in the UK, you may instead be eligible for a dedicated Sportsperson visa.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Fees

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa application cost is £340, and you must also pay a yearly National Health Service surcharge, typically £776. Additionally, you must have at least £2530in personal savings. 

Eligibility Requirements for the Youth Mobility Visa

To qualify for the Youth Mobility visa, you must:

• Be aged 18-30 (18-35 if you’re from New Zealand, Australia, Canada or South Korea).
• Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, Taiwan or Uruguay. You can also be a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or British national (overseas).
• Have at least £2530 in savings held for at least 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before your application.
• Not fall under the UK government’s grounds for refusal policies.

Who Is Ineligible for Youth Mobility Visa UK

You are ineligible if:

• You have children under 18 living with you or who are financially dependent on you.
• You have previously entered the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• You are restricted on the terms of the Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Required Documents for Youth Mobility Visa Application

• Passport valid for the duration of your stay
• Two recent, UK-approved passport-sized photographs.
• Recent bank statements showing proof of funds of over £2530
• Pay the visa fee and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge
• Biometric Information: You can have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre or scan your identity document using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.

• Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results from Home Office-approved clinics if you are from a country with mandatory TB testing.
• Country-specific documentation: This could include an Invitation to Apply, a Police Clearance Certificate, Proof of Qualifications/Work Experience, and more. 

Youth Mobility Visa Application Processing Time

The application processing time is usually three weeks. You can apply up to six months before your visa start date. You may need to allow extra time if you need help submitting your application online. For example, you may need to book a visa centre appointment to provide documentation and biometrics if you cannot use the ID Check app. 

The typical three-week processing period starts from the date of the complete application. Missing documentation could result in delays or refusals.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Application Process

Unless you’re from a country that is required to enter through the ballot, you must apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa from outside the UK online through the gov.uk website.

As part of the application, you will enter your personal details into the online form and upload your supporting documents. You may also have to attend a visa application centre to give your biometrics information, or you may be able to do this through a phone app.

You will be told what to do when you apply online.

Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Quotas

Each country has its own quota of open places for the scheme. The following figures reflect the 2024 quotas:

• Andorra – 100 places
• Australia – 45,000 places
• Canada – 8,000 places
• Hong Kong – 1,000 places
• Iceland – 1,000 places
• India – 3,000 places
• Japan – 6,000 places
• Monaco – 1,000 places
• New Zealand – 8,500 places
• Republic of Korea – 5,000 places
• San Marino – 1,000 places
• Taiwan – 1,000 places
• Uruguay – 500 places

British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens and British nationals (overseas) are not subject to a limit on how many people can apply to the scheme.

Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot Process

As of 2025, for applicants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Youth Mobility Scheme operates a ballot system.

The ballot typically opens in January and July each year for 48 hours.

Applicants must send an email during this period to enter, including their name, date of birth, and passport number in the subject line and body of the email, along with a mobile phone number.

Successful applicants will be notified and given 30 days to submit their visa application and pay fees, followed by 90 days to book a biometrics appointment.

Switching Into Another Visa Category After Youth Mobility Visa UK

There is no specific guidance stating that Youth Mobility scheme visa holders cannot switch to another visa category.

For this reason, it may be possible for Youth Mobility visa holders to apply for another UK visa to extend their stay when their current visa is close to running out.

This may include work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa, which will require sponsorship from an eligible UK-based employer.

Youth Mobility Visa Extension UK: Can I Extend My Visa?

The Youth Mobility scheme visa can only be extended if you’re from New Zealand, Australia or Canada.

If you’re eligible, you will be able to extend your visa by one year when you’ve spent full two years in the UK with it. You can only extend your visa once.

Extending a Youth Mobility Scheme visa costs £340. You will also have to pay £776 for the immigration healthcare surcharge.

For other applicants, you may be able to apply for other UK visas during your stay if you wish to extend your stay in the UK.

These include:

• Ancestry Visa – if you have a grandparent who was born in the UK. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK once returned as the application cannot be done in the UK.
• Skilled Worker Visa– during the two years in the UK if you were able to receive a  job offer from a UK Sponsor, then you can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa.
• Ancestry Dependant Visa – this applies if you are married to an Ancestry Visa holder. Consequently, if they qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) you will also be eligible to apply.
• Spouse Visa – if you are married to someone who has settled status in the UK or is a British Citizen, then you can apply for this visa.

Country-Specific Requirements for Youth Mobility Scheme

Depending on where you are applying from and your nationality there can be differences in the requirements for the scheme.

If you are from Australia, Canada, Monaco or New Zealand you will just need to show you meet the initial criteria to apply.

However, those applicants from Hong Kong and Taiwan must apply via a ballot scheme and entered into a random draw to receive a visa.

You will need to be granted an invitation to apply for the YMS before they submit their visa applications. This invitation to apply will be granted through a ballot system where applicants are randomly chosen.

San Marino citizens are required to provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs in support of their application. While Icelandic applicants must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use as part of their application.

How Can IAS Help With Your Youth Mobility Visa UK Application?

Navigating the visa application process can be complex. At IAS, our expert immigration lawyers are here to guide you through each step:

• Assessing your eligibility.
• Reviewing and preparing your documents.
• Assisting with the application form.
• Liaising with the Home Office on your behalf.

Call us today at +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online to discuss your eligibility and let us help you secure your Youth Mobility visas. We offer in-person and phone consultations to suit your needs.