
A Youth Mobility Visa 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.
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.
Before you can apply for a Youth Mobility Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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.