Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme is a UK visa that lets young people from participating countries live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. No job offer is needed and no employer sponsor is required. You can work for any employer in any role, change jobs freely, or be self-employed. It is commonly referred to as a working holiday visa, though that term does not appear in the official Immigration Rules.
In this article
- What is the Youth Mobility Scheme?
- Which countries participate?
- Age limits and eligibility
- What the visa allows
- What the visa does not allow
- Fees and how to apply
- Youth Mobility Scheme vs Skilled Worker visa
- Using the YMS as a route to the UK workforce
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
- Related terms
What is the Youth Mobility Scheme?
Think of it as a working holiday. The UK and a list of partner countries each agree to let a certain number of young people come over and work freely for two years. The agreements are bilateral, so a UK citizen gets the same deal in reverse.
No job offer. No sponsor. No sponsor licence required from the employer. Once you are in the UK, you have full freedom of the labour market for the entire 2-year visa.
The scheme runs on quotas set by each bilateral agreement. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have very high or unlimited quotas. Others are tighter. India, for example, caps places at 3,000 per year, and they fill up fast.
Which countries participate?
As of 2026, the countries participating in the UK Youth Mobility Scheme include:
| Country | Age limit | Quota | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18-35 | ~45,000/year | Apply directly, never fills |
| Canada | 18-35 | ~8,000/year | Apply directly, never fills |
| New Zealand | 18-35 | ~15,000/year | Apply directly, never fills |
| Japan | 18-30 | ~6,000/year | Apply directly (no ballot since Jan 2024) |
| South Korea | 18-30 | ~5,000/year | Apply directly (no ballot since Jan 2024) |
| Hong Kong (SAR passport) | 18-30 | 1,000/year | Ballot in Feb + summer |
| Hong Kong (BN(O) holders) | 18-30 | No quota | Apply directly, no ballot needed |
| Taiwan | 18-30 | 1,000/year | Ballot in Feb + summer (~800 Feb, ~200 summer) |
| India | 18-30 | 3,000/year | Ballot in Feb + summer (degree required) |
| Iceland | 18-30 | 1,000/year | Apply directly |
| Uruguay | 18-30 | 500/year | Apply directly |
| Andorra | 18-30 | 100/year | Apply directly |
| San Marino | 18-30 | 1,000/year | Apply directly |
| Monaco | 18-30 | 1,000/year | Apply directly |
The UK government adds new countries through bilateral negotiations. Always check the gov.uk YMS guidance before applying, as the list and quota details change.
Age limits and eligibility
Youth Mobility Scheme Eligibility Checker
Answer a few questions to see if you qualify to apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Age limit: 18 to 35 | Quota: High
Have you previously held a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa?
Do you have at least £2,530 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days before applying?
Do you have dependent children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you?
✓ Based on your answers, you appear eligible for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
This is a simplified eligibility check. Verify the current participating countries, quotas, and requirements on gov.uk before applying, as the scheme details change periodically.
The core requirements are:
- You must be a national of a participating country (holding that country's passport)
- You must be aged 18 to 30 on the date you apply (or 18 to 35 for Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand nationals)
- You must not have previously been granted a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- You must have at least £2,530 in savings held for 28 consecutive days before your application date
- You must not have dependent children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you
Three countries require a ballot before you can apply: Taiwan, Hong Kong (SAR passport holders), and India. All three run ballots twice a year, typically in February and summer. You enter by email during the ballot window, and successful applicants get 90 days to submit a full visa application.
- Taiwan: ballots in February (~800 places) and July (~200 places). Announcements on the British Office Taipei news page.
- Hong Kong SAR passport holders: same schedule as Taiwan. BN(O) holders skip the ballot entirely and apply directly.
- India: runs as a separate "Young Professionals Scheme" with a degree requirement. Ballots in February and summer. Announcements on gov.uk.
Japan and South Korea used to require ballots but switched to direct applications in January 2024. All other countries can apply directly at any time through the UKVI portal.
What the visa allows
With a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you can:
- Work for any employer in the UK in any sector or role
- Change employer freely without notifying the Home Office
- Work multiple jobs simultaneously
- Be self-employed or work as a freelancer
- Study (short or long courses, as long as you are primarily in the UK under the YMS)
There is no minimum salary, no occupation requirement, and no restriction on the type of work you do. You can work full-time, part-time, or seasonally.
What the visa does not allow
The Youth Mobility Scheme does not permit you to:
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Extend the visa beyond 2 years (it cannot be extended)
- Access public funds or most state benefits
- Bring dependent family members to live with you in the UK
Fees and how to apply
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | £298 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (2 years) | £2,070 |
| Savings requirement | £2,530 (must be held 28 days) |
The visa is applied for online via the UK government's UKVI portal. You will need to provide your passport, evidence of savings, and (for some countries) evidence of ballot success or registration.
Processing times are typically 3 weeks from outside the UK. Priority services are available for some nationalities.
You can apply up to 6 months before you intend to travel. The visa starts on the date it is granted, not when you enter the UK, so applying too early wastes leave.
Youth Mobility Scheme vs Skilled Worker visa
| Feature | Youth Mobility Scheme | Skilled Worker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer required | No | Yes |
| Employer sponsorship | No | Yes (licensed sponsor) |
| Salary threshold | None | £41,700/year (general minimum) |
| Duration | 2 years (non-extendable) | Up to 5 years (extendable) |
| ILR route | No direct route | Yes (5 years continuous) |
| Age restriction | 18-30 (or 35 for some) | None |
| Work restrictions | Sports professionals excluded | Must work for sponsoring employer |
| Countries eligible | Participating countries only | All nationalities |
Using the YMS as a route to the UK workforce
A lot of people use the YMS to explore the UK job market and line up a long-term visa without needing everything arranged before arrival. Two years is more time than it sounds, but it goes quickly if you are not deliberate about it.
If you find a role with a licensed UK employer, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK. Your ILR qualifying period begins from the start of your Skilled Worker leave. Two years of UK work experience also makes you a stronger candidate for employers who sponsor, and many YMS holders move into sponsored employment shortly before or after their YMS ends. Because there are no restrictions on role or employer, you can try different fields and figure out what fits before committing to a sponsored position.
One thing to watch: time on the YMS does not count towards the 5-year Skilled Worker ILR qualifying period. Your permanent residency clock starts only once you are on a qualifying route.
If you know you want to stay long-term, start looking for licensed sponsors six months before your YMS expires. Many holders leave this too late.
Common mistakes to avoid
Applying too early is more common than you would think. Your visa starts on the grant date, not when you enter the UK. Apply 6 months early and you burn leave before you even arrive. Apply closer to your intended departure.
You cannot extend this visa. The YMS is a one-time, two-year grant with no extensions and no second applications. If you want to stay in the UK beyond that, you need to switch to another visa route before your time runs out.
A few other things that catch people out:
- The £2,530 savings must be held for the full 28 consecutive days. Dipping below the threshold at any point during that window can lead to a refusal.
- The age limit is assessed on the date you apply, not the date you travel or your visa start date.
- Children and partners cannot join you on a YMS visa. If your family situation changes during the visa, get immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme?
The current list includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Uruguay, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Argentina. India has a limited annual quota. New countries get added as the UK negotiates bilateral agreements, so check gov.uk for the latest version.
What is the age limit for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
18 to 30 for most countries, assessed on the date you apply. Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders get an extended limit of 35. You can only hold this visa once; if you have had one before, you cannot apply again.
Can I work for any employer on the Youth Mobility Scheme?
Yes, any employer, any role, any salary. Self-employment is fine too. The only work you cannot do is as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Can the Youth Mobility Scheme lead to permanent residency?
Not on its own. The visa is non-extendable and the time does not count towards the 5-year ILR qualifying period. But you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you land a sponsored job, and your ILR clock starts from the switch date.
How much money do I need to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme?
£2,530 in your bank account, held for 28 consecutive days before the application date. This is a maintenance requirement and applies whether or not you already have a job waiting.
Related terms
Your YMS clock is ticking. Browse licensed sponsors or search sponsored jobs to plan your next move.