Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme is a work visa which some students may be eligible to apply for.
About the Youth Mobility Scheme
Under the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), nationals of the following countries can apply to work in the UK for 2 years:
- Australia
- Canada
- India (known as ‘Young Professionals Scheme visa')
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand (3 years from 9 June 2023)
- Republic of Korea
- San Marino
- Taiwan and Hong Kong (SAR)
- and British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas).
You can study, work in most jobs or be self-employed.
You cannot access public funds, work as a doctor, a dentist in training or a professional sportsperson or apply to switch and extend your stay from within the UK under the Scheme. However you may be able to or switch into another visa category from within the UK as a YMS visa holder.
It costs £259 to apply for this visa from outside the UK or to apply to switch to the Scheme from within the UK, plus £470 per year for the healthcare surcharge plus a biometric enrolment fee of £19.20.
Requirements
How to apply
Apply to the T 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) via the Home Office's website.
If you’re from Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea or Taiwan you will need to provide evidence that you were successful in the online ballots. You can find additional requirements set out in the UK Immigration Rules: Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme.