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Youth Mobility Scheme

United KingdomYouth mobility

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Which nationalities and age range can participate?

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is available to people aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where they are from. Eligible nationalities are those with certain types of British Nationality or from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The exact list of eligible nationalities is not provided in this document; it refers to 'certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements' without naming them.
  • The age range is given as '18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you’re from', but the specific countries corresponding to each age range are not detailed.
  • Overview
    are aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you’re from
  • Overview
    have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements

What combination of travel, work, study or training does the programme permit?

The programme permits living and working in the UK for up to 2 years. Holders can study (for some courses they need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate), work in most jobs, and be self-employed and set up a company as long as their premises are rented, their equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and they do not have any employees. They cannot work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach).

See recorded sources

What are the defining limitations: quota, ballot, previous participation, employer limits, study limits or equivalent?

Hong Kong (SAR passport) and Taiwan nationals must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before applying. Applicants cannot apply if they have children under 18 living with them or children they are financially responsible for, or if they have already been in the UK under the scheme. Self-employment is allowed only if premises are rented, equipment is worth no more than £5,000 and there are no employees; professional sportsperson work is excluded; family members must apply separately; only Australia, Canada and New Zealand nationals can extend.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    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 unless you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand get public funds bring in family members on your application - they must apply separately
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from: Hong Kong, if you have an SAR passport Taiwan
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    When you cannot apply You cannot apply if you have: children under the age of 18 who live with you children you’re financially responsible for already been in the UK under the scheme

What funds, insurance, onward travel or similar preparation is particularly important?

Applicants need £2,530 in savings and must prove they have enough personal savings. They also need to pay the application fee and the healthcare surcharge. The official source does not state insurance or onward-travel requirements.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not mention insurance or onward travel requirements.
  • The exact amount of the healthcare surcharge is given as 'usually £776 per year', but the document does not specify the total amount for the visa duration.

How long can the person stay, can the programme be extended or repeated, and what happens when it ends?

The visa allows the holder to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months, to enter at any time while it is valid, and to leave and come back at any time during the stay. Holders who turn 31 after the visa is issued can stay for as long as the visa is valid. Only nationals of Australia, Canada or New Zealand can extend, by one year after the 2-year period ends. Applicants cannot apply if they have already been in the UK under the scheme; the official source does not state what happens when the visa ends.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not state what happens when the visa ends, such as whether you must leave the UK or can switch to another visa.
  • The document does not mention whether the programme can be repeated after the visa expires.
  • How long you can stay
    You’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
  • How long you can stay
    You can enter the UK at any time while your visa is valid, and leave and come back at any time during your stay.
  • How long you can stay
    If you turn 31 after your visa is issued, you can stay in the UK for as long as your visa is valid.
  • How long you can stay
    If you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand, you’ll be able to extend your visa by one year after the 2-year period ends.
  • What you can and cannot do
    extend your stay unless you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    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 unless you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand get public funds bring in family members on your application - they must apply separately
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from: Hong Kong, if you have an SAR passport Taiwan
  • https://www.gov.uk/youth-mobility/print
    When you cannot apply You cannot apply if you have: children under the age of 18 who live with you children you’re financially responsible for already been in the UK under the scheme

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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