YOUTH MOBILITY
SCHEME VISA
The youth mobility scheme visa is a UK cultural exchange programme allowing nationals of certain countries, aged between 18 and 35 to enter the United Kingdom for up to 2 years.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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live in the UK for up to 2 years
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study
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work in most jobs
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be self-employed
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Work as a professional sportsperson
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Extend your stay
(unless you're from Australia, Canada or New Zealand) -
Bring dependants
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Claim public funds (benefits)
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Apply to settle
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
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You must have a passport which is valid for the entire length of your stay in the UK
Age
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If you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea, you must be between 18 and 35.
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If you are from Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino or Uruguay, you must be between 18 and 30.
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If you are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, or a British National (Overseas), you must be between 18 and 30.
Finances
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You must have funds of £2,530 held for a minimum of 28 consecutive days.
Ballot
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If you are from Hong Kong or Taiwan, you must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot to be eligible. Entries are accepted from July 2026 and are free to enter. Entry is by email only.
Family
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You must not have children under the age of 18 who live with you or for whom you are financially responsible.
Your first visa on the Youth Mobility Scheme route will be granted for up to 2 years. The current application fee is £340. You must also pay a reduced Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 per year.
You may be eligible to extend your visa for one year if you are a national of Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
TERM AND FEES
PROCESSING
Current processing times for youth mobility scheme visa applications are approximately 8 weeks.
Depending on your eligibility and which country you apply from, you may be able to pay for an enhanced service. The 'priority service' should provide you with a decision within 5 working days from the date of your biometrics appointment. The 'super priority service' is even faster, providing a decision within 1 working day.
Successful Application
If your application for a youth mobility scheme visa is successful, you will receive a confirmation by email and digital proof known as an eVisa. This will confirm the length and conditions of your entry clearance.
Application Refused
If your application for a youth mobility scheme visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons.
There is no right of appeal, but you can apply for an administrative review to challenge the decision if you believe it has been made due to an error in the decision-making process.
OUTCOME
HOW WE CAN HELP
Youth Mobility Scheme visas should be quite straightforward, but sometimes there are complicating factors which can make the process more difficult, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the process or have a history of refusals. Mistakes can have a significant impact on future immigration applications to the Home Office, which means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout your Youth Mobility Scheme visa journey. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side on your immigration journey.
