Youth Mobility Visa

Age requirement: 18–30 (18–35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea)

Stay up to 2 years (3 years if extension allowed)

Allows work and study in the UK

Can be self-employed (with conditions)

Cannot bring dependants under this visa

Not extendable (except for AUS/NZ/CAN nationals for 1 extra year)

Study (some courses may need an ATAS certificate)

Work in most jobs

Be self-employed (conditions: rented premises, equipment < £5,000, no employees)

Travel freely in and out of the UK

Work as a professional sportsperson

Access UK public funds

Extend your stay beyond 2 years (except AUS/NZ/CAN – 3 years total)

Bring family members as dependants

Visa fee: £319

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year

Minimum personal savings: £2,530 (held for 28 consecutive days)

Be 18–30 years old (18–35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea)

Be a citizen of: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay

OR hold status as a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen, or British national (overseas)

Have at least £2,530 in savings

Not have dependent children under 18 living with you

Not have previously held a Youth Mobility Visa

Apply online from outside the UK

Biometrics via visa application centre or ID Check app

Processing time: 3 weeks (after submitting full application)

Apply up to 6 months before travel

Ballot opens twice yearly for 48 hours

Applicants email details (name, DOB, passport no., phone)

Only possible for Australia, Canada, New Zealand nationals (extra 1 year, total 3 years)

Extension fee: £319 + £776 IHS

Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand → standard criteria apply

Hong Kong & Taiwan → ballot system

San Marino → must provide support letter from Department of Foreign Affairs

Iceland → must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use