UK Youth Mobility Scheme 2026: Countries, Quotas & Ballot Dates
The Youth Mobility Scheme lets young people live and work in the UK for up to two years. Compare every participating country below, track ballot dates for Hong Kong, Taiwan and India, and set a free reminder so you never miss a window.
Compare all Youth Mobility Scheme countries
| Country | Ages | Places (2026) | Issued trend | Ballot? | Next ballot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 18–35 | 38,500 | No | Apply directly | |
| Canada | 18–35 | 10,000 | No | Apply directly | |
| New Zealand | 18–35 | 8,000 | No | Apply directly | |
| Japan | 18–30 | 6,000 | No | Apply directly | |
| South Korea | 18–35 | 5,000 | No | Apply directly | |
| India | 18–30 | 3,000 | Yes | Upcoming21 Jul 2026 – 23 Jul 2026 | |
| Hong Kong | 18–30 | 1,000 | Yes | Open now13 Jul 2026 – 15 Jul 2026 | |
| Iceland | 18–30 | 1,000 | — | No | Apply directly |
| Monaco | 18–30 | 1,000 | — | No | Apply directly |
| San Marino | 18–30 | 1,000 | — | No | Apply directly |
| Taiwan | 18–30 | 1,000 | Yes | Open now13 Jul 2026 – 15 Jul 2026 | |
| Uruguay | 18–30 | 500 | — | No | Apply directly |
| Andorra | 18–30 | 100 | — | No | Apply directly |
| European Union | — | In negotiation | — | — | Apply directly |
Upcoming ballot dates
Youth Mobility Scheme visas issued, all countries
21,207 Youth Mobility Scheme visas were issued across every participating country in 2025. That's down 13% on 2024, down from a peak of 25,318 in 2015. Grants fell to a low of 7,965 in 2020 during the pandemic.
Source: Home Office Immigration Statistics (Vis_D02), year ending March 2026.
After your Youth Mobility visa: staying long-term
Your two years go fast. The most reliable way to stay is to find a licensed sponsor and switch to a Skilled Worker visa before your visa ends. Start early:
Note: British National (Overseas), British overseas citizens and British overseas territories citizens can also use the Youth Mobility Scheme without a quota or ballot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK Youth Mobility Scheme? The UK Youth Mobility Scheme (formerly Tier 5) lets young people from participating countries live and work in the UK for up to two years. You can work in almost any job, change employers freely, and be self-employed without needing a company to sponsor you first.
Which countries are in the UK Youth Mobility Scheme? 13 countries and territories take part, offering over 76,100 places a year: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay and Andorra. The EU is negotiating a separate youth mobility scheme that has not yet launched.
Which Youth Mobility countries need a ballot? Hong Kong, Taiwan and India allocate places by ballot (also called invitation to apply). You enter for free during a short window, often just 48 hours, and successful entrants are picked at random. Every other country can apply directly with no ballot.
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa after the Youth Mobility Scheme? Yes. This is one of the most common routes to staying in the UK long-term. While on a Youth Mobility visa you can work for a licensed sponsor and then switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK before your two years run out. Hunt UK Visa Sponsors lists thousands of sponsor-backed jobs to help you line one up.
Do I need a job offer for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme? No. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Youth Mobility Scheme does not require a job offer or a sponsor before you apply. You just need to meet the age, nationality, savings and (for ballot countries) selection requirements.