Youth Mobility Scheme visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Work
What it is
Live and work in the UK for up to 2 years if you are aged 18 to 30 (18 to 35 for some nationalities) and from a country or territory participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme. Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan applicants must first be selected in the ballot.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- You’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 2 years
- Dependants
- No
- Age
- 18 or over
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (application fee)
- GBP 340
- Health surcharge
- GBP 776 per year
- Proof of funds
- GBP 2,530
- Application fee (extension (Australia/Canada/New Zealand only))
- GBP 340
Key requirements
- Aged 18 to 30, or 18 to 35 depending on your nationality
- Passport from a participating country or territory (ballot for Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan)
- £2,530 in savings to support yourself
Working on this visa
You can: study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate work in most jobs be self-employed and set up a company - as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000…
Bringing family
a child born in the UK during the stay can apply online as a dependant
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.