Youth Mobility Scheme visa

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Overview

You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you:

  • want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
  • are aged 18 to 30
  • have £2,530 in savings
  • have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements

If you’re from New Zealand, from 29 June 2023 you’ll be able to apply if you’re aged 18 to 35.

This visa has replaced the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5).

How long it takes

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you travel.

Example

You can apply from 16 January if you plan to travel on 15 July.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

How much it costs

You will need to:

Application fee

The application fee is £259.

How long you can stay

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 after your visa is issued, you can stay in the UK for as long as your visa is valid.

If you’re from New Zealand, from 29 June 2023 you’ll be able to apply to extend your visa by one year. To be eligible, you’ll need to be in the UK and have a valid Youth Mobility Scheme visa when you apply.

What you can and cannot do

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 is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees

You cannot:

  • work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach)
  • extend your stay
  • get public funds
  • bring in family members on your application - they must apply separately