Young adults from participating nations and territories who want to spend up to two years living in the UK can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
The Youth Mobility Scheme immigration path does not provide direct access to indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and dependents are not eligible to apply.
But people with Youth Mobility Scheme visas may be able to apply from inside the UK to switch to a path that leads to real settlement in the UK.
You need to be sponsored if you’re from Hong Kong or the Republic of Korea.
Speak to our assessment team now to confirm your eligibility and options for free on 0800 970 2727.
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you travel.
Example:
You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 September.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
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.
If you turn 31 while you’re in the UK, you can stay for as long as your visa is valid.
You can:
study – for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
work in most jobs
be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment isn’t worth more than £5,000 and you don’t have any employees
You can’t:
work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach), doctor or dentist in training – unless you can show you qualified in the UK
extend your stay
get public funds
bring in family members on your application – they must apply separately
You can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you’re aged 18 to 30 and you’re from:
Australia
Canada
Japan
Monaco
New Zealand
Hong Kong
Republic of Korea
Taiwan
You can also apply if you’re 18 to 30 and a:
British overseas citizen
British overseas territories citizen
British national (overseas)
You can’t apply if you have:
children who live with you
children you’re financially responsible for
already been in the UK under the scheme or in the former ‘working holidaymaker’ category
You must have £1,890 in savings.
You must get a certificate of sponsorship reference number before you apply.
A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about the job you will do and your personal details. It’s not a certificate or paper document.
You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your certificate of sponsorship.
When you apply you’ll need to provide:
a current passport or other valid travel ID
a bank statement showing you have at least £1,890 in savings
your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa.
You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
