Youth mobility scheme
Who can apply?
This page explains who can apply under the youth mobility scheme under tier 5 under our points-based system.
On this page
Who can apply under the youth mobility scheme?
To apply under the youth mobility scheme, you must be a national of a country taking part in the scheme, and have a valid national passport from that country, which will be all the evidence you need to show that you are sponsored by the government of your country to apply for a visa under the scheme. (British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens and British nationals (overseas) can also apply under the scheme and do not need to be sponsored.)
You can apply if you:
- are a citizen of a country taking part in the scheme or a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or a British national (overseas);
- 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;
- have £1,600 in available maintenance (funds) when you apply .
Who cannot apply?
You cannot apply if you have:
- children under 18 years old who are either living with you, or you are financially responsible for;
- been in the United Kingdom at any other time as a working holidaymaker or under the youth mobility scheme.
You cannot apply for the youth mobility scheme if you are already in the United Kingdom.
You should go to our visa services website for information on how to apply. There you can find out more about the process in the country you are applying from and download the relevant application forms.
While you are in the United Kingdom under the youth mobility scheme, you are not allowed to switch into any other category of the points-based system or in to a visitor route.
How long can you stay for?
If you are given permission to stay under the youth mobility scheme, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum time of 24 months.
You can leave and come back to the United Kingdom at any time during the length of your stay under the youth mobility scheme.
See also
Terms explained
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British overseas territory
These were formerly known as the British dependent territories. The territories are: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands and Dependencies, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, St Helena and Dependencies, the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Virgin Islands. (The sovereign bases of Akrotiri and Dhekelia do not count as qualifying territories for nationality purposes.)
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands were the dependencies of the Falkland Islands, but were not British overseas territories between 3 October 1985 and 3 December 2001.
Hong Kong stopped being a British overseas territory on 30 June 1997 when sovereignty returned to China. St Christopher and Nevis was a British overseas territory until 18 September 1983, when it became an independent Commonwealth country.