Youth mobility scheme
How many points you must score
This page explains how many points you must score in the points-based assessment to apply under the youth mobility scheme under tier 5 of the points-based system.
On this page:
- How many points you must score
- How many points you must score for nationality
- How many points you must score for your age
- How many points you must score for maintenance (funds)
- What is maintenance (funds)?
- How we assess maintenance (funds)
Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245ZI - 245ZL of part 6 which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category.
Check eligibility to make sure you can apply.
How many points you must score
You must score 50 points to be able to apply:
| Attributes | Points available |
|---|---|
| Nationality | 30 |
| Age | 10 |
| Maintenance (funds) | 10 |
How many points you must score for nationality
You will score 30 points if you come from:
- Australia;
- Canada;
- Japan;
- New Zealand;
- or are a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or a British national (overseas).
How many points you must score for your age
You will score 10 points if you are 18 years old or over when your visa lets you come to the United Kingdom (becomes valid) and under 31 years old when you apply.
How many points you must score for maintenance (funds)
You will score 10 points for having £1,600 in available maintenance (funds).
You must also confirm you have:
- no children under 18 years old who are either living with you, or you are financially responsible for;
- you have not been in the United Kingdom at any other time as a working holidaymaker or under the youth mobility scheme.
What is maintenance (funds)?
You must be able to support yourself for the length of your stay in the United Kingdom without claiming state benefits, otherwise you may face financial difficulties.
You should assess the potential costs of living in the United Kingdom. If you do not expect to get any income from working in the United Kingdom after the first month, you should make sure that you have enough funds to support yourself.
How we assess maintenance (funds)
Evidence must be cash funds. Other accounts or financial instruments for example, shares, bonds, pension funds or agreed overdraft facilities are not acceptable as evidence of your maintenance (funds).
You must have the minimum level of maintenance (funds) available and score 10 points or your application will be refused.
We will assess the funds using the OANDA exchange rate at the time the application was made.