Youth Mobility Scheme 2026
Live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. Available to 18–30 year olds from eligible countries.
Application fee
£298
NHS surcharge
£776/year
Processing time
3 weeks
Who is eligible?
- Aged 18–30 at time of application (18–35 for some nationalities)
- Citizen of an eligible country: Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong (BN(O)), Taiwan, Uruguay, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco
- Have at least £2,530 in savings (held for 28 consecutive days)
- No dependent children living with you
- Have not previously been granted a Youth Mobility Scheme visa
How to apply — step by step
- 1Check you are a citizen of an eligible country and meet the age requirement
- 2Apply online at gov.uk/youth-mobility — you apply from outside the UK
- 3Pay the £298 application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year)
- 4Show £2,530 in your bank account held for 28 consecutive days
- 5Attend a biometrics appointment if required in your country
- 6Processing takes approximately 3 weeks; you can work in any job from arrival
Key requirements at a glance
- Aged 18–30 (some countries 18–35)
- From eligible country
- £2,530 in savings
- No children living with you
Frequently asked questions
Which countries are eligible for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme?▾
Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong (BN(O) holders), Taiwan, Uruguay, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Andorra, and Monaco. The list changes — check gov.uk for the current list.
Can I extend the Youth Mobility Scheme visa?▾
No. The visa cannot be extended. However, if you find a UK employer willing to sponsor you, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa before your YMS visa expires.
Can I work in any job on the Youth Mobility Scheme?▾
Yes — any job at any salary. You can also be self-employed and run your own business, unlike most other work visas. The only restriction is you cannot be an entertainer or sportsperson, or fill a role that requires a work permit of its own.
Do I need to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme from outside the UK?▾
Yes. You must apply before travelling to the UK and cannot switch to this visa from inside the UK.
Is there a lottery or quota for UK Youth Mobility visas?▾
For some nationalities (e.g. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan), there is an annual quota. Applications open at the start of each year and can fill up quickly. Check the quota for your country each year on gov.uk.
Next steps
Official application
Apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme on GOV.UK
All visa applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) via the official gov.uk website.
Apply on GOV.UK