 YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME
The youth mobility scheme is for young people from participating countries who would like to experience life in the United Kingdom.
The countries in the scheme are:
- Australia;
- Canada;
- Japan; and
- New Zealand.
This is based on a quota system for participating countries and we have now reached this quota for Japanese nationals for the period ending 31 December 2009 and with immediate effect we will no longer be accepting new applications from Japanese nationals for this year. Japanese applicants who would like to apply may do so from 1 January 2010.
Under the youth mobility scheme, your national government is your sponsor. British overseas citizens, British overseas territories citizens and British nationals (overseas) can also apply under the scheme and do not need a sponsor.
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.
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.
How many points you must score
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)
How many points you must score
You must score 50 points to be able to apply:
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Attributes
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Points available
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Nationality
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30
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Age
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10
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Maintenance (funds)
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10
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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 UKBA 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.
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