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

  • You must apply for an entry clearance from outside of the UK and cannot switch into this visa category from within the UK
  • You must be aged between 18 and 30 (up to 35 for New Zealand Nationals applying after 29 June 2023)
  • obtain a TB Clearance Certificate (if required)
  • Indian nationals are required to have a qualification at UK bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8) or an equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above
  • You must have £2530 in your personal bank account for a minimum of 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of the date on which you apply for entry clearance or immigration permission to switch to the Scheme.

    • 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.