Last Updated on March 30, 2022 by Visa Journal
The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (YMS) is the designation given to one of the Tier 5 Points Based Visas categories. It is open to young people between 18 and 30 years who desire to live, work, and travel in the United Kingdom. It’s only available to nationals of selected countries, and it’s a one-time-use visa, so once you’ve travelled through this visa and entered UK, you will not be able to apply for it again!
These visas are offered on a reciprocal basis, which means that each year, the same number of visas are available for UK nationals to live, work, or study in the partner countries. The UK government allows a certain number of slots to each country and territory each year.
When Can I Apply For a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Visa?
You can apply for a visa up to six months before your trip. You’ll need to establish your identity and provide your documents as part of your application. If you need to make an appointment, you may need to allow extra time. When you start your application, you’ll find out if you need one.
If you’re from one of the following countries, you can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
- Australia
- Canada
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
If you’re from the following countries, you must be chosen in the Youth Mobility Scheme poll before you may apply for a visa:
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Overseas British citizen
- Citizen of the United Kingdom’s overseas territories
If you have any of the following, you will be unable to apply:
- Children under the age of 18 who reside with you and for whom you are financially responsible have already benefited from the scheme in the UK.
Moreover, to demonstrate that you can sustain yourself in the UK, you must have at least £2,530 in your bank account. Not only this, you must have had the money for at least 28 days in a row to qualify.
- Day 28 must occur within 31 days after applying for this visa.
Nationality Requirement:
Only nationals (passport holders) from the following countries are eligible to participate in the YMS. You must have a passport from one of these countries to receive the required 30 points for the application.
- Australia
- Canada
- Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- South Korea & Taiwan
Do’s & Don’t on Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Visa?
On a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa you can:
- study (certain courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
- Work in most jobs, or be self-employed and start a business (as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is worth less than £5,000, and you have no employees).
And you are can’t:
- Work as a professional athlete (for example as a coach)
- Prolong your visit
- Obtain government funds
- Include family members in your application; they must apply independently.
If you have already entered the UK on this visa, you will not be able to apply for it again. So, if you visit the UK for a month and then return home for two years, you will be ineligible to return under this category. The only criterion is that you have never entered the country through immigration.
If you apply for a visa but never use it (because it was never active), you can apply for a new one, but you will have to pay the price again. (Note that if you decide not to visit the UK, you should cancel your visa to receive a refund)
Application Procedure:
When you submit your visa application, it is forwarded to an Entry Clearance Officer. To be eligible for Entry Clearance, you must meet three requirements. Those participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme must earn a total of 50 points, which include:
- Nationality Being a national of one of the designated nations earns you 30 points.
- Age Requirement – If you are between the ages of 18 and 31 when your visa begins, you will receive 10 points.
- Upkeep is essential (Support Funds) Requirement – 10 points if you can show you have the necessary maintenance to support yourself in the UK when you arrive (£2,530 in 2021).
Related Article: Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visa