Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allows young people from participating countries to live, work and experience life in the UK for up to two years. Each year, the UK government sets a maximum number of places for each eligible country or territory.
To view the current list of participating countries, please see the official UK government list.

If you are a passport holder or citizen of one of these countries or territories, and your country has not exceeded its annual allocation, you may be eligible to apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme. For most applicants, your national government acts as your sponsor.
You may also apply if you are a British National (Overseas). If you are a British Overseas Citizen or a British Overseas Territories Citizen, you do not need a sponsor, and there is no annual quota for your category.

Eligibility overview

You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you:

  • want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
  • are aged 18 to 30 or 18 to 35, depending on where you’re from
  • have £2,530 in savings
  • have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements

How much it costs

You will need to:

Application fee

  • The application fee is £340.

What you’re allowed to do

  • Study, although some courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
  • Work in most types of jobs.
  • Be self‑employed or set up a business, provided you rent your premises, your equipment is worth no more than £5,000, and you do not employ anyone.

What you’re not allowed to do

  • Work as a professional sportsperson, including coaching.
  • Extend your visa, unless you are from Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
  • Access public funds.

What you can do in the UK

You can live and work in the UK for two years under this scheme.

Official GOV.UK guidance

For full details, please see the official GOV.UK guidance.