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Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)

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This section describes the youth mobility scheme within Tier 5 of the UK's points-based system for immigration.

The information in this section is based on paragraphs 245ZI to 245ZL in Part 6A of the Immigration Rules, which you can find on the right side of this page.

The youth mobility scheme is for young people from participating countries and territories who want to come and experience life in the UK. Every year, the UK government allocates a number of places on the scheme for each country and territory.

The countries and territories participating in the scheme, and the number of places allocated to them for 2012, are:

  • Australia - 32,500 places
  • Canada - 5,000 places
  • Japan - 1,000 places
  • New Zealand - 10,000 places
  • Monaco - 1,000 places
  • Taiwan - 1,000 places

If you are a citizen or passport-holder of a country or territory listed above, and that country or territory has not used all its places for this year, you might be able to come to the UK under the youth mobility scheme. Your national government will be your 'sponsor' during your stay.

You can also apply under the scheme if you are a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen or a British national (overseas). You will not need a sponsor, and there is no limit on the number of places on the scheme.

To find out whether you can apply, see the Can you apply? section.