Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Apply
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
If you’re from Hong Kong or Taiwan, you must be successfully selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa.
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
If you have a child while you’re in the UK
If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.
You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.