Youth Mobility Scheme
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- –Right to Work Checks & Civil Penalties
- –Business & Work
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- –Personal Immigration
Overview Of The Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allows eligible young people from participating countries and territories to live, work and travel in the UK for a temporary period. It is an unsponsored route, meaning applicants do not need a job offer and employers do not need a sponsor licence.
The route is designed to support cultural exchange and provides flexibility for individuals to undertake employment, self-employment and other permitted activities during their stay.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, an applicant must demonstrate that:
- They are aged 18 to 30 (or 18 to 35 for certain nationalities).
- They are a national of a participating country or territory.
- They have not previously held YMS permission (unless eligible under a country that allows repeat participation).
- They meet the financial requirement.
- They meet the general immigration requirements.
Participating countries and territories include (subject to annual updates):
- Australia.
- Canada.
- New Zealand.
- Japan.
- South Korea.
- Hong Kong.
- Taiwan.
- India (additional eligibility criteria apply, and applications are made through a different scheme – India Young Professionals Scheme Visa).
- Andorra.
- Iceland.
- Monaco.
- San Marino.
- Uruguay.
Annual quotas apply to some nationalities.
Length And Conditions Of Stay
Youth Mobility Scheme visas are normally granted for two years.
During their stay, YMS visa holders can:
- Work in most roles.
- Be self-employed, subject to restrictions.
- Undertake voluntary work.
- Study, subject to any ATAS requirements.
- Travel freely in and out of the UK.
They cannot:
- Work as a professional sportsperson.
- Access public funds.
- Bring dependants to the UK.
- Extend their YMS visa (unless eligible for a second participation under specific national rules).
Dependants
Dependants are not permitted under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
How Our Immigration Partners Can Help
We advise individuals on eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme, evidence requirements and options for switching into longer-term immigration categories once their YMS permission expires. If you would like to discuss your circumstances or plan your next steps, please contact us or complete our enquiry form below.