Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
A Youth Mobility Visa (YMV) is a type of visa that allows young people from certain countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. It is a great opportunity for young people to experience a new culture, learn new skills, and make new friends. You can only apply for a Youth Mobility Visa if you are between 18-30 (18-35 if from New Zealand) and are from an eligible country. You can only apply for a Youth Mobility Visa 6 months before you intend to travel.
We advise that applicants apply as soon as they are able to ensure that their Youth Mobility Visa is supplied in time. Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they will usually get a decision on their visa within 3 weeks.
Youth Mobility Visa Requirements
Before you can apply for a Youth Mobility Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be aged between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 if you are from New Zealand).
- Be a citizen of one of the countries that has a Youth Mobility Scheme agreement with the UK.
- Have a valid passport.
- Have at least £2,530 in savings.
- Be in good health and have no criminal record.
What is a Youth Mobility Visa?
A Youth Mobility Visa is a visa that allows people 18-30 from eligible countries to come to the UK to live and work. A Youth Mobility Visa is a visa that does not require a sponsor to be able to apply. Many countries that are eligible require the applicant to be selected from the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot, these countries are:
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
Additionally the Youth Mobility Scheme will be expanding on 31st of January 2024 to allow applicants from Canada and Australia to use the 18-35 parameters and allows for applicants from Andorra and Uruguay.
Who is eligible for a Youth Mobility Visa?
You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and you’re from New Zealand. All other eligible countries have the age limits of 18-30.
You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
You’ll need to show proof of this when you apply.
What countries are eligible?
There are several countries that are in the Youth Mobility Program, Some countries in the program require the applicant to submit through the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot. As of the 31st of January 2024 Andorra and Uruguay will be eligible countries and Australia and Canada will allow applicants aged 18-35. You can also apply if you’re aged 18 to 30 and you’re a:
- British overseas citizen
- British overseas territories citizen
- British national (overseas)
New Zealand
Australia
Canada
Monaco
San Marino
Iceland
Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Processing time for a Youth Mobility Visa
The processing time for a Youth Mobility Visa (YMV) is usually 3 weeks. However, it is important to note that this is just an average processing time and the actual processing time may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the number of applications that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is receiving and the complexity of your application.
If you need your visa processed more quickly, you may be able to apply for a priority service. However, there is an additional fee for this service.
Here are some tips to help you avoid delays in your YMV application:
- Make sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements before you apply.
- Complete the visa application form carefully and accurately.
- Provide all of the required supporting documents.
- Submit your application as early as possible, especially if you are planning to travel during peak times.
Youth Mobility Visa Length
A Youth Mobility Visa (YMV) lasts for up to two years. You can enter the UK at any time during the validity of your visa and leave and come back as many times as you like. If you turn 30 (or 35 if you are from New Zealand) while your visa is valid, you can still stay in the UK for the length of your visa.
If you are from New Zealand, you may be able to extend your YMV for an additional year. To be eligible for an extension, you must:
- Have completed 12 months of paid work in the UK in a skilled occupation.
- Have maintained a good immigration record.
- Meet the other eligibility requirements for a YMV.
You can apply for an extension up to 6 months before your current visa expires. As of 31st of January 2024 you will also be allowed to apply for an extension if you are from Australia or Canada.
If you are not eligible for an extension, you will need to leave the UK at the end of your visa. You may be able to apply for a different type of visa to return to the UK in the future.
Documents required for a Youth Mobility Visa
The documents required for a Youth Mobility Visa (YMV) will vary depending on your nationality and the country you are applying from. However, some common documents that you may need to provide include:
- A valid passport
- A completed YMV application form
- Proof of funds (e.g., bank statements, payslips, etc.)
- Proof of health insurance
- A police clearance certificate
- A medical certificate
- A visa photograph
You may also need to provide additional documents depending on your individual circumstances. For example, if you are from a country that is not a member of the English-speaking world, you may need to provide proof of your English language proficiency. You can find more information about the specific documents required for a YMV on the UK government website.
For detailed information on specific parts of the Youth Mobility Visa Process, you can refer to the links on the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us
Other UK Visa Types
A Visa is required for any foreign national wishing to enter the United Kingdom. If you do not need a Youth Mobility Visa, you can choose from the following options instead:
Can you be rejected for a Youth Mobility Visa?
Yes, you can be rejected for a Youth Mobility Visa (YMV). The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may refuse your visa application if you do not meet the eligibility requirements, or if you have provided false or misleading information on your application.
Some common reasons for refusal of a YMV include:
- You do not meet the age requirement.
- You are not a citizen of a country that has a Youth Mobility Scheme agreement with the UK.
- You do not have a valid passport.
- You do not have the required amount of savings.
- You are not in good health or have a criminal record.
- You have provided false or misleading information on your application form.
If your visa application is refused, you will receive a letter from the UKVI explaining the reason for the refusal. You will also have the right to appeal the decision.
People Also Asked
If you turn 30 (or 35 if you are from New Zealand) while your visa is valid, you can still stay in the UK for the length of your visa.
India is not in the Youth Mobility Scheme, however Indian Nationals can apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa which is similar to the Youth Mobility Visa.
Yes, you can marry under the Youth Mobility visa. If you wish to stay in the UK with a British spouse or civil partner you should consider marrying them well in time for the expiry of your visa.
You are only able to apply for this visa once. Meaning once you have gotten a Youth Mobility Visa you cannot apply for one again even if you still fit the requirements.
There are a few drawbacks to having a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, including:
- You cannot work for the same employer for more than six months.
- You cannot bring your family with you on a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa.
- You cannot apply for a permanent residency visa through the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
If you are a British Overseas Citizen you do not have to come from one of the eligible countries to apply for a Youth Mobility Visa. Meaning you can apply from any country.
You’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. You can enter the UK at any time while your visa is valid, and leave and come back at any time during your stay.
This is at the discretion of UK Visas and Immigration but they have expanded the Youth Mobility Scheme in the past and will be expanding the Youth mobility Scheme on the 31st of January 2024.
There are no restrictions on what work you can undertake while on a Youth Mobility Visa.