Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is available for young people aged 18 – 30 who wish to live, work and travel in the UK for up to two years. This scheme is open to young professionals from certain countries who wish to return to their home country with a new set of talents.
If you have any questions regarding the Youth Mobility Scheme such as how to navigate the application process, contact one of our expert immigration attorneys today. You can call us on 0333 305 9375, or contact us online seven days a week via our live chat.
Page Content:
- What are the eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
- What nationalities are eligible for the T5 Youth Mobility Visa?
- What are the financial requirements for this visa?
- What can you do in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme?
- What is the application process?
- How much is the visa application fee for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
- Can my dependents join me in the UK?
- How to extend your Youth Motability Scheme
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
The eligibility requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme is as follows:
- You must be between the ages of 18 to 30.
- Intend to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years
- Have a minimum of £2,530 in your bank account
- Be a national from one of eight countries enrolled in this Scheme, or you hold any type of British citizenship.
- Have not previously spent time in the United Kingdom under any other working or studying scheme
- Do not have children under the age of 18 who are living with you or are financially dependent upon you
- Have received a valid sponsorship certificate
Applicants from specific countries may be required to meet additional requirements
What nationalities are eligible for the T5 Youth Mobility Visa?
Nationals aged 18 to 30 from the following countries are allowed to apply for the T5 Youth Mobility Visa:
- Australia – 30,000 visas available/annually
- Canada – 6,000 visas available/annually
- Japan – 1,500 visas available/annually
- Monaco – 1,000 visas available/annually
- New Zealand – 13,000 visas available/annually
- Hong Kong – 1,000 visas available/ annually
- Republic of Korea – 1,000 visas available/annually
- Taiwan – 1,000 visa available/annually
The Youth Mobility Visa is also available for those who are British Overseas Territories citizens or British overseas nationals.
What are the financial requirements for this visa?
Applicants for the Youth Mobility Scheme must be able to prove that they can financially support themselves while in the UK. To prove that you meet the financial requirements for this scheme, you must submit the following supporting documents as evidence:
- Personal bank account with the banks official stationery or bearing the official stamp of the financial organization
- Saving account proof
- Letter(s) from your bank or a financial institution confirming funds.
Additional accounts, investments, shares, bonds, credit cards, and pension funds are not acceptable as proof of savings.
What can you do in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme?
Through the Youth Mobility Scheme, you are permitted to:
- Study (For some courses, you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
- Work in most jobs
- Be self-employed and/or establish a company. However, your office/premises must be rented and your business equipment can not be worth more than £5,000 and can not have any employees
You are not permitted to:
- Work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach)
- Extend your stay
- Access public funds
- Access public benefits
- Bring family members on your application (They would be required to apply separately)
What is the application process?
To apply for the youth mobility visa scheme, the application is done online. There are a series of questions it will take you through, to determine your eligibility.
You are permitted to submit your Youth Mobility Scheme application up to 6 months before the time you plan to enter the UK. Typically, it takes the UK Government’s Home Office three weeks to make their decision on your application.
However, it is possible to get an expedition decision through the optional priority service. This will add to the visa fee by £500 and make you get your decision available within five working days.
Otherwise, you can pay an extra £800 for the super-priority service, to receive a verdict from the Home Office by the end of the next working day.
A critical part of the application is proving your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
Option 1:
Have your fingerprints and photograph (biometrics) taken at a visa application centre near your home.
If you do require an appointment, the youth mobility visa application centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application, and you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country).
Option 2:
Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
There are several documents you will need to provide in addition to the online application. They are as follows:
- A valid passport or another document that shows your identity and nationality. There needs to be one blank page in your passport for your visa.
- A bank statement proving that you have at least £2,530 in savings in your bank account
- Your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- You may be asked to provide further documents, depending on your circumstances.
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will need to have them translated by a certified translation centre.
If your application is approved, you’ll be permitted to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months (2 years). You will also have the permission to enter the UK anytime during your visa’s validity and are free to leave, travel and come back at any time during your visa’s validity.
Despite being strictly for 18-30-year-olds, if you do turn 31 while you’re in the UK, you can stay for as long as your visa is valid.
How much is the visa application fee for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
The visa application fee is £259. In addition, you are responsible to pay the immigration health charge, to National Health Service, which is normally £470 per year.
You are also required to prove to the UK government that you have a minimum of £2,530 in your savings account to show you can provide for yourself sufficiently.
There may be additional fees for acquiring biometrics and any health test/vaccines.
There is an option to expedite your application to get a response in 5 days. This optional service costs £500 but you’ll get your response in around 15 days.
Can my dependents join me in the UK?
Your dependents (legal spouse/civil partner and children) are not permitted to enter with the holder of the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Those who are married or have a civil partnership are encouraged to also apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme. However, your spouse or partner cannot enter the United Kingdom as your dependant and will instead, have to enter the UK on their own right, visa, or permit to which they are in the capacity that they are eligible.
It should be noted, that if you happen to give birth while you’re living in the UK with a Youth Mobility Scheme, the child does not automatically become a British citizen. You will have to apply online for the child’s visa as your dependant. This step is imperative if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child. When applying, it will be necessary to prove a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.
How to extend your Youth Motability Scheme
When applying, it is important to know that you are not entitled to switch from the Youth Mobility Scheme to any other UK visa category. Presently, there are no provisions available to extend your period of stay in the UK beyond the 2 years granted per the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may only apply one time for the Youth Mobility Scheme. If you have entered the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa previously, you are not able to apply for it again.
For example, if you come to the UK for three months through the Youth Mobility Scheme and then decide to leave and go home for 3 years, you are not permitted to apply and enter the UK through the same category.
If you successfully applied for the visa but never entered the UK (and therefore never activated it), you are allowed to apply for another Youth Mobility Scheme visa. However, you will be required to pay the fee again.
No, you do not have to have a job offer.
All the countries that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Yes, you are allowed to apply until you turn 31 in order to submit your online visa application.