Youth Mobility Visa UK Applications

At Latitude Law, our expert immigration solicitors are dedicated to assisting young adults in obtaining a Youth Mobility Visa. This visa allows eligible individuals to live, study and work in the UK for a specified duration.

Our legal team will keep you informed with the most up-to-date documentation requirements and assist you in meeting all necessary deadlines. We strive to ensure that your visa application has the best possible chance of success.

Latitude Law has an unparalleled reputation for our knowledge and experience in Youth Mobility visas. Our attention to detail, case preparation skills, and dedication to success make us a highly respected firm within the industry. We are committed to helping you secure your Youth Mobility Visa, allowing you to experience the profound benefits of living and working in the UK.

For support in applying for your Youth Mobility Scheme visa, give us a call on 0044 161 234 6800, or complete our enquiry form and make an appointment with one of our immigration solicitors to discuss your needs.


How Latitude Law can help with your Youth Mobility Scheme via application

If you are coming to live or work in the UK via the Youth Mobility Scheme route, the expert immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are here to help you with every stage of the application process.

We will ensure you are up to date with the right documentation and are aware of any relevant visa application fee requirements, and will also help you meet all of the necessary paperwork deadlines. This will ensure you stand the best chance possible of a successful visa decision.

For Youth Mobility visas, Latitude Law’s knowledge and experience are second to none, earning us a strong reputation within the field of immigration law. We will do everything we can to ensure that all of the details of your visa application are correct, whether you are coming to the UK to study or embarking on an extended working holiday, to ensure that your Youth Mobility visa application is accepted.

Living and working in the UK can be life-changing for Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, and with the help of the legal team at Latitude Law, you will stand the best chance possible of enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme?

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) to live and work in the UK for up to two years (three years for New Zealand 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.

Who is eligible to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa?

In order to be eligible for a Youth Mobility Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be seeking to live and work in the UK for up to two years
  • You must be aged between 18 and 30/35 on the date you apply for your visa
  • You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account, showing you can support yourself in the UK. You must be able to prove
  • that this money has been available to you for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 being within 31 days of applying for the visa
  • You must be from certain countries or territories listed in the scheme’s eligibility requirements, or possess certain types of British nationality

Nationals from the following countries are eligible to apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • San Marino
  • Iceland

Additionally, the following regions are eligible for Youth Mobility Scheme visas on an invitational basis, chosen via the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot:

  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan

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” section below to find out more.

You can also apply if you are registered as:

  • A British overseas citizen
  • A British overseas territories citizen
  • A British national (overseas)

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.

You are permitted to work and study in the UK, without additional sponsorship, during your period of permission to stay.

What are you allowed to do on a Youth Mobility scheme visa?

While living in the UK on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will be able to do the following:

  • Any type of work that complies with UK or European Union laws, directives and regulations.
  • If you have a degree in medicine or dentistry from an institution that is a UK-recognised or listed body, and holds a sponsor licence under the Student category of the PBS, you may work as doctor or dentist in training.
  • Work as a self-employed professional, as long as you do not own premises where business is conducted, other than your home (although you may rent premises for the purpose of self-employment). The total value of the equipment you use in your business can be no more than £5,000, and you can have no employees.
  • Study in the UK, subject to the terms of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme, meaning you will require a certificate to study certain subjects in the UK at a postgraduate level.

Under the terms of a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will not be permitted to do the following:

  • Access public funds
  • Work as a professional sportsperson without applying for a separate visa
  • Work as a doctor or dentist in training outside of the terms outlined above
  • Bring any family members or dependants with you on the same application – anyone wishing to accompany you must apply separately for their own visas

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.

How to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa

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:

  • A valid passport or another document that proves your identity and nationality. Your passport will need to include a blank page for your new visa
  • A bank statement showing you have at least £2,530 in savings
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you are applying from a country where this test is necessary
  • Certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh

You will also need to pay the fees associated with the Youth Mobility Visa Scheme:

  • The standard application fee – this is currently £259. You can check the amount here
  • The healthcare surcharge, making you eligible to receive NHS treatment while in the UK. This is usually £470 per year; you can check exactly how much you will owe here

As part of the application process, you will also need to prove your identity in one of the following ways:

  • Having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre to get a biometric residence permit
  • Using the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your identity documents, while also creating or signing into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

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.

Contact Latitude Law

If you have any further questions about the Youth Mobility Scheme and the visa application process, get in touch with the experts at Latitude Law today.

Call us on 0044 161 234 6800, or complete our enquiry form and make an appointment with one of our immigration solicitors to discuss your application. We can arrange appointments in our London, Liverpool or Manchester offices, or we can take your instructions via email, phone or Skype.

FAQs About the Youth Mobility Scheme

Am I able to extend my Youth Mobility Scheme visa?

You cannot extend your visa beyond the initially allocated period. If you want to extend your stay in the UK beyond this, then you will need to switch to another visa category before your current stay expires – to learn more about your options, get in touch with a solicitor with expert knowledge of the immigration rules.

How can I remain in the UK once my Youth Mobility Scheme visa expires?

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.

If you apply for one of these visas, you will need to return to your country and apply there. There is also the possibility of applying for an Ancestry dependant visa, if your partner already has 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 at least two years’ cohabitation in the UK, overseas, or a combination of the two. 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 £18,600.

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.

What happens if my application is refused?

If your application is refused, you may apply for an administrative review if you feel that the decision contains an error. You should get in touch with an expert immigration solicitor if this is the case.

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot?

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, Japan, South Korea or 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 30 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.

To learn more about how to apply, click here.

Are there any country-specific rules and requirements for the Youth Mobility Scheme?

A number of countries involved in the scheme have their own country-specific rules:

India

In addition to the standard application requirements, Indian applicants must demonstrate the following:

  • That they hold a qualification at degree level or above (minimum RQF level 6); or
  • That they have at least three years of work experience in a professional role capable of being sponsored under the UK’s skilled worker rules

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.

New Zealand

New Zealand citizens can benefit from expanded eligibility from June 29th 2023 onwards. From this date, you will be able to apply if you are aged between 18 and 35, and will also have the option of extending your visa by one year to a maximum of three years. To be eligible, New Zealand nationals will need to be in the UK and have a valid Youth Mobility Scheme visa when applying.

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:

  • Confirm your suitability for the scheme
  • Be issued less than six months before you apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa

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

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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 04/01/2022