UK Youth Mobility Visa For Ghanaians

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows eligible young people from participating countries to live, study, or work in the UK for up to 24 months. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) allocates the number of places in the Youth Mobility Scheme available to nationals of each country annually. For example, the eligible countries and their number of allocations for 2024 were:

• Andorra – 100 places
• Australia – 35,000 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 -13,000 places
• Republic of Korea – 5,000 places
• San Marino -1,000 places
• Taiwan – 1,000 places
• Uruguay – 500 places

British overseas citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens can also apply for the Youth Mobility  Scheme visa, and there’s no limit to the number of applications from them.

Ghana is not a participating member of the Youth Mobility Scheme. Therefore, as a Ghanaian, you must seek alternative visa routes to enter the UK. However, if you hold a second citizenship in any eligible country, you can apply for the Youth Mobility visa even if you live in Ghana.

The requirements for a YMV vary for the different participating nations. YMV holders can freely travel in and out of the UK within the two years of their stay. They can also work in any field except as professional sportspersons.

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is not extendable for most people. Only citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can extend their stay for an additional year. You also cannot bring dependents.

The youth mobility visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, you can switch to another visa route while in the UK.

Page Contents

• What is the UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, and Who is it for?
• What are the Eligibility Requirements for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Balloting Process
• How to Apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• Documents Required for Youth Mobility Scheme Application
• Application Processing Time
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Application Fees
• UK Youth Mobility Visa And Possibilities To Extend Stay
• Benefits And Restrictions of Youth Mobility Visa Holders
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa.

• You must be between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 if you’re from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Korea) at the time of application.
• You must be from one of the eligible countries or a British overseas national.
• You must intend to remain in the UK for up to two years.
• You must have never previously lived in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
• You must have at least £2530 in your bank account held for at least 28 consecutive days within 31 days following your application as proof that you can support yourself in the UK.
• You must not have dependent children under 18 who live with you.
• If you’re from Hong Kong, India, or Taiwan, you must have received an invitation to apply following your selection in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot. You must also submit your application within the specified time.
• Indian applicants must have a qualification equal to or higher than an RQF level 6 (Bachelor’s degree) and have at least three years of work experience in an eligible occupation.

Youth mobility visa applicants from Hong Kong, India, and Taiwan must participate and be selected in a Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before applying.

The ballot opens twice a year, in January and July. Most successful applicants are selected in the January draw, while the remaining are chosen in the July ballot to complete the quota. The ballot is open for 48 hours per draw, within which interested candidates must submit their names.

You participate in the draw via email (written in English). The email should carry your name, date of birth, passport number, phone number, and a photo of your passport. Each applicant can make only one entry, as multiple entries will not be counted.

Applicants will be selected randomly, and you’ll receive the result of the draw within two weeks of its ending. The results of the ballot are final and cannot be appealed.

If you’re selected, you’ll get an invitation to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa. You must submit your application, pay the visa fees, and attend a biometric appointment within 90 days of receiving the email.

You can only apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa from outside the UK, and the application is strictly online on the UKVI website. However, you may need to attend an appointment at a local visa application service centre to submit your biometric data and other supporting documents.

The application process for a Youth Mobility Visa is as follows:

• Determine your eligibility
• Participate in a Youth Mobility Scheme draw if you’re from Hong Kong, India, or Taiwan and receive an invitation to apply.
• Complete the Youth Mobility Scheme visa online application form, upload relevant supporting documents, pay the visa fee and immigration health charge, and book a biometric appointment. Print the completed application form, as you’ll need it for your visa appointment.
• Attend your appointment at the nearest visa application centre. Here, you’ll submit your biometric information (photo and fingerprints), with which the Home Office will prepare your biometric residence permit (BRP). You’ll also submit the application form and other relevant supporting documentation.
• Wait for a decision.

You can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa up to six months before your planned entry to the UK.

The following documents are required for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa application.

• A valid passport  or other identity document with at least one blank page
• Bank statement showing you have up to £2530 in personal savings
• A tuberculosis test certificate, if applicable

If you’re from Andorra,

• An Andorran criminal records certificate issued less than six months before your application.

If you’re from Hong Kong or Taiwan,

• A confirmation email from UKVI indicating your success in the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot.

If you’re from Iceland,

• Criminal Certificate for Private Use (Sakavottorð) issued less than six months before your application date.

If you’re from India,

• An invitation to apply
• The Unique Application Number (UAN) for the invitation to apply
• Police clearance certificate issued less than six months before the date of your application
• Proof of educational qualification equivalent to an RQF level 6 or higher.

If you’re from San Marino,

• A letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of San Marino’s Foreign Affairs Department confirming you’re a suitable candidate for the Youth Mobility Scheme. The letter must be dated no more than six months before your application.

If you’re from Uruguay,

• A Certificate of Judicial Records (Certificado de Antecedentes Judiciales) issued less than six months before your application date.

UKVI typically processes youth mobility visas within three weeks of application. However, you can pay for a priority service and get your decision within five working days or a super-priority service and get a decision by the end of the next day.

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa application fee is £340. You’ll also pay an immigration healthcare surcharge of £776 annually.

A priority service costs an additional £500, while a super-priority service costs £1000. You must make the payments before you submit your online application.

The Youth Mobility  Scheme Visa is valid for two years without the possibility of an extension for most persons. Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders can apply for permission to extend their stay for an additional year, making it three years in total.

You can stay in the UK for as long as your visa is valid, even if you turn 30 immediately after your visa is issued. Depending on your eligibility, you can switch from the Youth Mobility Scheme route to another visa route in the UK.

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows you to:

• Reside in the UK for up to 24 months
• Work in any job except as a professional sportsperson (e.g. a coach).
• Be self-employed in the UK, provided you rent premises, have no employees, and use equipment worth less than £5,000.
• Study most courses. However, you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re from Andorra, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Monaco, San Marino, Taiwan, and Uruguay.

You cannot bring family members on the same application or access public funds in the UK with a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.