The Youth Mobility Scheme UK visa (previously called the Tier 5 Youth Mobility visa) is for nationals of qualifying countries aged between 18 and 30 who wish to live and work in the UK.

Requirements for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

The application process is very straightforward, and those who are successful can stay in the UK for up to 2 years. For those who want to stay longer in the UK, it is then possible to apply for a different type of visa (e.g. student visa, skilled worker visa, or UK start-up visa).

In order to qualify for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are aged between 18 and 30 on the date of the application;
• You are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan, India, Iceland, Monaco, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, or San Marino or are a British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen or British National (Overseas);
• If you are a citizen of India, you hold an education qualification equal to or above RQF level 6 or have a minimum of three years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations;
• You have funds of £2,530 which you have held for a 28 day period within the 31 days before your application;
• You do not have any children under 18 who are living with you or are financially dependent on you;
• You have not previously been in the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme route;
• You have paid the visa application fee and Immigration Health Charge and provided any required biometric information;
• You have taken a tuberculosis test, if required;
• You do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

Youth Mobility Scheme Country-Specific Requirements

You must apply for and obtain entry clearance under the Youth Mobility Scheme route before arriving in the UK.

If you are a national of Australia, Canada, Monaco or New Zealand, or you are a British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen or British National (Overseas), you will not be required to meet any country-specific requirements, but must meet the financial requirement set out below.

If you are a national, citizen or rightful passport holder of Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea or Taiwan, you must have been issued with an invitation to apply to the Youth Mobility Scheme and have made your application within any time limit specified on that invitation.

If you are a national, citizen or rightful passport holder of San Marino, you will need to provide a letter confirming that you are a suitable candidate for the Youth Mobility Scheme from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs. The letter must have been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

If you are a national, citizen or rightful passport holder of Iceland, you must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of application.

If you are a national, citizen or rightful passport holder of India, you must :

• have been issued with an invitation to apply to the Youth Mobility Scheme;
• have made your application within the period of time specified on that invitation;
• provide the unique application number for that invitation to apply;
• provide a local police certificate or a police clearance certificate that has been issued no more than 6 months before the date of your application; and
• either: (i) have a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent to an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations and provide specified evidence of that qualification; or (ii) hold a qualification equal to or above RQF level 6 and provide specified evidence of that work experience.

Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot (Invitation to Apply) Process

If you are a national, citizen or rightful passport holder of Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong (if you have an SAR passport), the Republic of Korea or India you will need to apply for a ballot before applying for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Applicants must submit an expression of interest in applying for entry clearance under the Youth Mobility Scheme through the Home Office’s process. The Home Office then selects at random who will be invited to apply for entry clearance from the pool.

Ballots typically open in January and July each year and are open for 48 hours. If you are successful in the ballot you will have 30 days to submit your Youth Mobility Scheme visa application.

To evidence they were successful in the ballot, nationals of the above-mentioned countries must (a) have been issued an invitation to apply; and (b) made their application within the period of time specified in the invitation.

Youth Mobility Scheme Financial Requirement

You must have funds of £2,530 which you have held for a 28 day period within the 31 days before your application.

You must not have any children under the age of 18 who are either living with you or who are financially dependent on you.

Switching Into Another Immigration Category

Prior to your Youth Mobility Scheme visa expiring you may be able to apply from within the UK to switch into another immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker route or the Start-up route.  Our immigration barristers can advise on potential long-term immigration routes, including routes which can lead to settlement in the UK.

How Our Immigration Advisers Can Help

Adivis is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading immigration advisers for start-up visas.

Our team of immigration advisers has experience in assisting all types of innovative entrepreneurs and their businesses. Our advisers are experts in immigration options for start-ups and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to businesspersons as part of a professional and friendly service.