Youth Mobility Scheme (T5 Youth Mobility Visa)

There are only eight countries with which the UK has a reciprocal agreement in place, meaning that there is a limited number of Youth Mobility visas issued each year unless you are a British overseas territories citizen because there is no quota on the number of British Overseas citizens that can get the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

The eligible countries for the Youth Mobility scheme include Australia, Canada, Monaco, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and San Marino. British Overseas Territories citizens can apply as well. Applicants have a number of options in terms of working and studying restrictions.

You can also apply for the Tier 5 Youth Mobility scheme as a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, or British national (overseas) if you’re 18 to 30 and meet other requirements.

While there are many advantages to the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa, there are strict eligibility requirements in place.

To be granted the Youth Mobility visa, you should demonstrate that the following circumstances apply to you:

• You are aged between 18 and 30 years old
  • If you’re from New Zealand, you may be aged between 18 to 35. Australians aged 18 to 35 will also be eligible from 31 January 2024
• You intend to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months
• You can show that you have a minimum of £2,530 in personal savings
  • This money must be cash in a bank account or financial institution. Investments, shares, bonds, credit cards and pension funds are not acceptable.
• You are a citizen of one of the eight participating countries in the scheme
• You do not have a child aged under 18 who is financially dependent on you

Depending on your individual situation, there may be further requirements you must meet for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

As designed by the UK government in the UK immigration law, you must demonstrate that you have met 50 points in order to be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme. Being a citizen of one of the eight eligible countries awards you 50 points. Being between the ages of 18 and 30 when your visa begins to give you another 10 points while demonstrating that you have the required finances gives you the final 10 points.

The point-based system isn’t so easy to navigate, especially if you are new to UK immigration. For assistance, call us on 0191 303 8965.

When preparing your Youth Mobility scheme application, you should demonstrate clearly that you meet the eligibility requirements through the submission of required documents.

Some of these documents include:

• Passport or valid travel document
• A bank statement or other official evidence showing that you meet the minimum financial savings
• Clear tuberculosis test (where relevant)

If any documents are in a language other than English or Welsh, you will need to provide certified translations to accompany them.

Compared to some other visa applications, obtaining the YMS visa is a relatively easy process. In order to apply for the YMS visa, you can use the Gov.uk site to apply for the visa online.

It is important to prepare all the documents necessary. Ensure that your passport is in date for at least six months from the date you intend to enter the UK.

Ensure that you have official bank statements on headed paper from your financial institution to show that you meet the financial requirement.

Complete your application online and pay the fees when requested. You may have to attend a visa application centre in your country in order to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph).

You may also be required to send your passport and wait for it to be returned as part of the application process for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

When applying for a Youth Mobility visa, you must pay the immigration healthcare surcharge as part of the application.

Citizens of certain countries must be selected in the Youth Mobility visa ballot before they can apply. That includes Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Obtaining the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can be challenging. For the best chances of success, it is recommended that you reach out to expert immigration lawyers for assistance with the Youth Mobility Scheme visa. Call us on 0191 303 8965 to find out more about how we can help you.

The fees involved in the YMS visa include the application fee (£259) and the immigration health charge (£940). There is also a fee involved in providing your biometric information at the visa application centre, however, this is dependent on your location.

There are some optional costs involved in obtaining a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. You may be able to pay extra to receive a quicker decision, keep your passport during the application process, or walk-in appointments at the visa application centre.

Waiting time for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Unlike other visas, you can submit your YMS visa application up to six months in advance of the date you intend to come to the UK.

Most Youth Mobility Scheme applicants will receive a decision from the Home Office in under three weeks. However, you may be able to apply for a priority application service to receive a decision in either five or one working day(s) with a priority service. This will cost £500 or £800, depending on which option you choose.

If you have received a positive decision on your application, you will be given 90 days to enter the UK. You will be given a sticker on your passport (known as a vignette) that outlines this information.

Note that having a Youth Mobily visa does not automatically grant you entry into the UK; when you get to the border, an officer will assess your eligibility for entry clearance.

While there are broad freedoms involved in the YMS, there are restrictions on the type of work you can do. Similarly, your rights are not the same as British nationals.

You have permission to do the following with the YMS visa:

• Study on a course
• Work in most types of jobs
• Work as a self-employed person and set up your own business (you may not hire others, any premises must be rental-only, and any equipment should be valued at not more than £5,000)

You may not do any of the following: work as a professional sportsperson (including as a coach), access public funds or have family members join you on your application (any family members must apply separately).

Newcastle Immigration Lawyers can assess your eligibility, advise on your circumstances for the Youth Mobility Scheme and prepare a high-quality application for you. Contact us today.

Depending on where you are applying from, there is a requirement to demonstrate sponsorship under UK immigration law when applying for the Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa. You need a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed organisation that can be an organisation running an approved exchange program, a government department or agency, and a higher education institution.

San Marino passport holders should provide evidence of sponsorship issued by the relevant government body of San Marino and submit their application while resident in San Marino.

If you are from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, or Taiwan, your passport must be provided as evidence of sponsorship for the Youth Mobility visa. A British Overseas Territories citizen can apply without sponsorship.

As well as this, the place where you submit your application is not limited to the country of which you are a citizen.

UK employers in the hospitality or care sector must get a sponsor licence to hire interns under this scheme.