Youth Mobility Scheme

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 Youth Mobility Scheme 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.

The scheme is explicitly unsponsored. There is no requirement to have a job offer before you arrive, and no UK employer needs to hold a sponsor licence to employ you. Once in the UK, you have full freedom of the labour market during your 2-year visa.

The scheme is managed by quotas: the UK and the partner country agree on a maximum number of places per year for each country. Some countries — particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand — have very high or unlimited quotas. Others, such as India, have a strict annual cap, and places fill up very quickly.

Which Countries Participate?

As of 2025, the countries participating in the UK Youth Mobility Scheme include:

The UK government periodically adds new countries through bilateral negotiations. Always verify current participation on the gov.uk guidance before applying, as the list and quota details change.

Age Limits and Eligibility

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

Some countries also require you to apply through a ballot or expression of interest system first (particularly India, where demand far exceeds the quota). Check the process for your country before applying.

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

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 the date you enter the UK — so applying too early may waste leave.

Youth Mobility Scheme vs Skilled Worker Visa

Using the Youth Mobility Scheme as a Route to the UK Workforce

Many people use the Youth Mobility Scheme as a way to explore the UK job market and secure a long-term work visa without needing to have everything arranged before arrival. Common strategies include:

Switch to Skilled Worker. If you find a role with a licensed UK employer during your 2 years, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK. Your ILR qualifying period then begins from the start of your Skilled Worker leave.

Build UK experience. Two years of UK work experience makes you significantly more attractive to employers who might sponsor you. Many YMS holders enter sponsored employment shortly before or after their YMS expires.

Explore sectors before committing. Because there are no restrictions on role or employer, YMS holders can try different fields and find the right fit before locking into sponsored employment.

Note: time spent on the Youth Mobility Scheme does not count towards the 5-year Skilled Worker ILR qualifying period. Your permanent residency clock starts only once you are on an ILR-qualifying route.

Many YMS holders leave this too late. If you know you want to stay long-term, start job hunting with licensed sponsors six months before your YMS expires.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying too early. Your visa starts on the grant date. If you apply 6 months before you plan to travel, you will use up leave before arriving. Apply closer to your intended departure.
• Thinking you can extend. You cannot. The Youth Mobility Scheme 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 have switched to another visa route before your time runs out.
• Not having the £2,530 savings for the full 28-day period. Dipping below the required balance at any point during the 28-day window may lead to a refusal.
• Missing the age cutoff. The age limit is assessed on the date you apply, not the date you travel or the date your visa starts.
• Bringing dependants. Children and partners cannot join you on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. If your family situation changes during the visa, take immigration advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme?

Participating countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India (limited quota), Uruguay, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and Argentina. The list is updated periodically as the UK government negotiates bilateral arrangements. Check the official gov.uk guidance for the current list.

What is the age limit for the Youth Mobility Scheme?

Most participating countries have an age limit of 18 to 30 inclusive — you must be between those ages on the date you apply. Some countries (currently Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) have an upper age limit of 35. You must not have previously been granted a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for the UK.

Can I work for any employer on the Youth Mobility Scheme?

Yes. You can work for any employer in any role with no restrictions on sector, salary, or occupation. You can also be self-employed. The only restriction is that you cannot pursue a career as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Can the Youth Mobility Scheme lead to permanent residency?

Not directly. The Youth Mobility Scheme cannot be extended and time on it does not count towards the 5-year ILR qualifying period on the Skilled Worker route. However, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK if you secure a sponsored job offer, and the ILR clock starts from when you switch.

How much money do I need to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme?

You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account (held for 28 consecutive days before the date of application) to show you can support yourself on arrival. This is a maintenance requirement and applies regardless of whether you have a job lined up.

Related Terms

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Graduate Route Visa
• Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Sponsor Licence

On a Youth Mobility Scheme visa and looking for a sponsored role before it expires? Search jobs with licensed UK employers. Find your sponsored role