The Youth Mobility Visa, formerly known as a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa, is a scheme designed to help young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 (35 for citizens of New Zealand, Australia and the Republic of Korea) to live and work in the UK for up to two years (three years for New Zealand, Australian and Republic of Korea citizens).
If you are granted a visa through the Youth Mobility Scheme route, you will be able to work in most jobs and study in the UK for the duration of the visa period, or operate as self-employed under specific conditions. You can freely leave and re-enter the UK at any time during your stay.
Latitude Law can provide you with expert support to ensure you provide the right documentation and submit the appropriate application.
In order to be eligible for a Youth Mobility visa, you must meet the following criteria:
If applying for entry clearance under this route:
Nationals from the following countries are eligible to apply under the Youth Mobility visa scheme:
Additionally, the following regions are eligible for Youth Mobility Scheme visas on an invitational basis:
Certain countries have their own specific rules and conditions in place when applying for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa; take a look at the “Country-specific rules and requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme” to find out more.
You can also apply if you are registered as:
If your visa application is accepted, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of two years, and leave and return at any point within this period of time. If you turn 31/36 while on a youth mobility scheme, you can stay for as long as your visa is valid. If you are a national of New Zealand, Australia or Canada you can apply to extend your visa for a maximum of one year.
You are permitted to work and study in the UK, without additional sponsorship, during your period of permission to stay.
While living in the UK on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will be able to do the following:
Under the terms of a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will not be permitted to do the following:
To learn more about the terms and conditions of the scheme, consult the Immigration Rules Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, which can be viewed on the government’s website.
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The expert solicitors at Latitude Law can provide expert advice on all aspects of Youth Mobility applications. We can provide detailed guidance about the requirements or prepare the entire application alongside a detailed representation document explaining how the relevant rules are met.
Latitude Law has significant experience of preparing successful Youth Mobility visa applications. Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. We have connections with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you.
Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.
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Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your application meets the very latest immigration rules.
By choosing Latitude Law to handle your Youth Mobility visa application, you will benefit from our team’s unrivalled understanding of Home Office policy, which will help to ensure your application is successful.
Our highly experienced team of UK immigration solicitors are on hand to help you at every stage of the application process. You can be confident that our practical and informed approach will be of benefit to your application
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.
Only nationals from Australia, Canada and New Zealand can apply to extend their visa for up to a maximum of one year. Otherwise, you will need to switch to another visa category before your current stay expires. The Youth Mobility visa is not a route to settlement and you cannot bring family dependents with you to the UK. To learn more about your options, get in touch with a solicitor with expert knowledge of the immigration rules.
You can apply for a new visa in various different categories. For example, you can apply for an Ancestry visa if you have a UK-born grandparent, or a Skilled Worker visa if you have been offered a job or sponsorship opportunity.
There is also the possibility of applying for an Ancestry dependant visa, if your partner already has an Ancestry visa. You would need to return to your home country in order to apply for an Ancestry visa.
A partner visa may be an option if your spouse or long-term partner is British, or has settled status (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK. Unmarried partners must be able to prove that they have been in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years. However, you will need to check that you can meet all the requirements in this category, including that you and your partner can meet the minimum income requirement of £29,000.
You can also apply for a visa if you are in a relationship with or married to an EU citizen with settled or pre-settled status.
This ballot is the selection process used by the UK government to allocate a limited number of Youth Mobility visas to eligible applicants from Hong Kong, India and Taiwan. Due to high demand for these visas and the limited number of spaces available, a ballot system was introduced to ensure a fair and transparent allocation process.
The ballot system works by inviting eligible applicants to submit their interest in the scheme. It opens in January and July each year; most applicants are usually chosen in the January ballot, with the remainder selected in July. The ballots are open for 48 hours at a time, and applicants must send an email to the relevant address to enter.
Once the application window closes, a random selection of applicants will be chosen to receive an invitation to apply for the Youth Mobility visa. Upon receiving an invitation, successful applicants have 90 days to submit their full visa application, providing all required documentation and evidence. It is crucial to act promptly once you receive an invitation, as failure to submit your application within the designated timeframe may result in the loss of your opportunity to apply.
The Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot operates on a country-by-country basis, with each participating country having a predetermined number of available visas. The UK government negotiates these allocations with the respective governments of participating countries.
It is essential to be aware that receiving an invitation to apply through the ballot system does not guarantee the approval of your visa application. Your application will still be subject to standard eligibility and documentation requirements, and you must meet all the necessary criteria to secure your visa.
If you are not successful in the ballot, you will be notified within two weeks of the ballot closing. You may be eligible to reapply during the next application window, but keep in mind that your eligibility may change depending on your age and other factors.
A number of countries involved in the scheme have their own country-specific rules:
Hong Kong
In addition to the standard application requirements, applicants from Hong Kong and Taiwan must demonstrate the following:
· That they have been issued with an invitation to apply in accordance with Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme: eligible nationals; and
· They have made their application within any time limit specified on that invitation to apply
India
In addition to the standard application requirements, Indian applicants must demonstrate the following:
Indian citizens are also required to take part in a ballot-based invitational system, called the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot. Find out more about how to take part in the ballot here.
San Marino
San Marino nationals will need to provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs as part of their applications. The letter must:
Iceland
If you are from Iceland, you will need to provide an Icelandic Criminal Certificate for Private Use (called a Sakavottorð) when applying. This must have been issued less than six months before you apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Andorra
Andorran nationals will need to provide a certificate of criminal records issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.
Uruguay
Uruguay nationals will need to provide a certificate of Judicial Records that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.
You must apply online for this scheme, using the online application form that can be found here.
Before applying, you will need to be able to provide the following documents:
You will also need to pay the fees associated with the Youth Mobility Visa Scheme:
As part of the application process, you will also need to prove your identity in one of the following ways:
If you do need an in-person appointment, you may need to travel to another country to access your nearest visa application centre. The centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application; in some cases, you can pay to get a faster decision, depending on where you are applying from.
Are you looking to work in the UK? Getting a visa to work in the UK can be a complicated process. Some employment routes are governed by the Points-Based System (PBS). The rules can be complex and it is, therefore, vital that you consult a specialist immigration solicitor for legal advice and information before applying to work in the UK.
A Partner visa, also known as a Marriage visa or a Spouse visa, is a type of settlement visa that provides the romantic partner of a (settled) UK resident with the opportunity to come to the UK to be with their loved one.
The initial visa is usually for two and a half years, which can then be extended by another two and a half years so that the settlement target of five years can be reached.
To apply to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a Student Visa, through the government’s Points Based System. There are numerous types of Student Visa that you can apply for depending on your age and how long you plan on studying for in the UK.
A Skilled Worker visa is open to individuals wanting to work in the UK who have been offered an eligible job by an employer with an approved sponsor licence.
