Youth Mobility Scheme visa: age limits, eligible countries, cost and how long you can stay

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa lets people aged 18 to 30, or 18 to 35 for some nationalities, live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. GOV.UK lists no job offer or sponsor, but you need at least £2,530 in savings. You must be from an eligible country or hold certain British nationality.

Who is this visa for?

It is for young people from certain countries and territories who want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. It is also for people with certain types of British nationality.

Can I apply?

You can apply if you:

• want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
• are aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you are from
• have £2,530 in savings
• have certain types of British nationality, or are from a country or territory in this table

Nationality	Age limit
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea	18 to 35
Andorra, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay	18 to 30
Hong Kong (with an SAR passport) and Taiwan	18 to 30, and you must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply
British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British national (overseas)	18 to 30

For the 18 to 35 group, you must be aged 18 or over when your visa starts, or 35 or under when you apply. You can apply before you turn 18. You can be over 35 when the visa starts.

The 18 to 30 group has the same rule, with 30 in place of 35.

When you cannot apply

You cannot apply if you have:

• children under 18 who live with you
• children you are financially responsible for
• already been in the UK under the scheme

Indian nationals have a different scheme. See the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.

The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you travel.

What do I need?

Documents

Some nationalities must give extra documents:

• Andorra, Iceland and Uruguay: a criminal records certificate issued less than 6 months before you apply
• San Marino: a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, issued less than 6 months before you apply
• Hong Kong and Taiwan: a valid email from the Home Office confirming a successful ballot result

Everyone must give a bank statement showing at least £2,530. You must also give TB test results if you are from a country where the test is required.

A job offer, sponsor or salary

GOV.UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme pages list no job offer, sponsor, salary or occupation code.

With this visa you can work in most jobs, and you can study (some courses need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate).

You can be self-employed and set up a company if:

• your premises are rented
• your equipment is not worth more than £5,000
• you have no employees

You cannot work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach) or get public funds (most benefits).

English language

GOV.UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme pages do not set an English language requirement.

How much does it cost?

Cost	Amount
Application fee	£340
Healthcare surcharge	Usually £776 per year
Savings to support yourself	At least £2,530
Fee to extend (Australia, Canada, New Zealand)	£340
Immigration health surcharge to extend	£776

You must have had the £2,530 for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of the day you apply.

How long can I stay?

You get 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. You can leave and come back at any time during your stay.

If you turn 31 after your visa is issued, you can stay for as long as your visa is valid.

Once you have applied online, proved your identity and given your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

Can I bring my family?

You cannot include family members on your application. GOV.UK says they must apply separately.

You cannot apply if you have children under 18 who live with you, or children you are financially responsible for.

If you have a child while you are in the UK, the child does not automatically become a British citizen. GOV.UK says you can apply online for the child’s visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child. You need a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

Can I extend or switch?

You cannot extend your stay unless you are from Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

If you are from one of those countries, you can extend once, for one year, after the 2-year period ends. To extend, you must be living in the UK and have a valid Youth Mobility Scheme visa. The extension starts the day after your original visa ends.

GOV.UK says to apply no more than 28 days before your current visa expires. It says you will get a decision within 8 weeks.

GOV.UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme pages do not cover switching to another visa.