Youth Mobility Visa

Individual Visa Services

Are you considering travelling to and spending considerable time in the UK for a cultural and/or work experience? Well, there is good news for you! You can travel and stay in the UK for up to two years with a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa.

Here at Swift Visa Global, we assist with all types of Swift Visa Global, including the Youth Mobility Visa. Our team of experienced advisors can help you with every step of the application process, from filling out the application form to providing advice on the supporting documents you need to submit. We are committed to helping you achieve your goal of living and working in the UK, and we will do everything we can to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Our expert team are ready to assist you

What Is Youth Mobility Scheme?

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is a UK visa category that allows young people from certain countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. It provides a cultural exchange programme that enables individuals to experience life in the UK and gain valuable work experience.

The YMS visa is a popular option for young people who want to experience life in the UK and gain work experience. It is also an excellent way for UK businesses to attract young talent worldwide. The scheme is designed to promote cultural exchange and international relations, and it has successfully achieved this goal. Doctors and dentists seeking opportunities in the UK can now apply under this scheme, opening doors for young healthcare workers to gain valuable experience in the UK, too.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you must meet these eligibility requirements:

You must be above 18 years of age but below the age of 30 years.
You must not have any children or dependents intending to live with you.
You must not have already availed the scheme.
You must be a national of Australia, Japan, Canada, or New Zealand. India is not currently included in the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa but will soon be.
You must possess adequate funds (minimum £2,530) to support you during your stay.
Depending on which country you belong to, you might need to clear a TB test.
You must not pose a risk to the UK.

Supporting Documents Required for the Youth Mobility Visa

When applying for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you might have to provide the following documents as evidence:

Your passport, with at least one blank page, as proof of your nationality and identity
A bank statement showing that you have at least £2,530 in savings, which you have held for a minimum of 28 days within the last 31 days before making the application
The results of a clear tuberculosis examination (depending on your country)

All documents must be written in English or Welsh; otherwise, they will have to be translated into one of these languages.

Depending on your unique situation, you may be required to provide additional documents. At Swift Visa Global, we will guide you through this documentation process to ensure you provide all the evidence you need.

Indian Citizens and UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

Currently people from Andorra, San Marino, Iceland, Japan, Mónaco Uruguay, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada can apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa. However, the UK is working on extending this facility to a few more countries, including India.

If you are Indian and want to stay temporarily in the UK, many other visa routes are available. Here at Swift Visa Global, we can help you find the best possible pathway based on your situation and guide you through the application process.

Application Process

The application process for the Youth Mobility Visa is very simple. Once you have checked your eligibility and have the required documents (as mentioned in the previous section), simply:

Fill out the application form online.
Pay the application fee along with the healthcare surcharge for each year.
Once the application has been submitted, book a biometric appointment at the nearest visa application centre. The appointment must be made within 15 working days of submitting the application.

For those applying from a ballot country, the application process will differ. Ballots are opened only in January and July every year. During this time, you will have to:

Email the home office expressing your interest and provide your name, phone number, date of birth and passport number
If you are successful in the random selection, you will receive an email stating that along will the deadline to submit your application
After this confirmation, you can apply employing the same process as mentioned in the above section

Visa Application Timeline

Day 1: Apply online, submit documents, pay the fees and book the biometric appointment.

Day 2 to Day 14: Visit your nearest visa application centre for the biometric appointment.

Day 14 to Day 21: Get the final decision from the Home Office.

Once you receive the final decision, you can collect your passport and prepare to travel to the UK

As you can see, the entire application process for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the UK typically takes around three weeks to complete. This is why you should apply no earlier than six months before their intended travel date. The visa will remain valid for up to two years, and you can enter the UK anytime.

We at Swift Visa Global will support you during each step so you don’t feel lost or overwhelmed. If you face any issues or have any queries, you can simply reach out to us for assistance anytime.

Application Fees for Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

As an applicant for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you will have to pay an application fee of £244 along with a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year. Additionally, you will have to pay a charge of £19.20 for the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

Things You Can Do Under the UK Youth Mobility Visa:

During your stay in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, you can work in most fields apart from being a sportsperson or coach.
During your two-year stay, you can travel to and from the UK as many times as you want. You can also visit other countries within Europe.
You can enrol in any course of your choice, be it for higher education, certifications, courses leading to higher education, or courses to expand your qualifications.

Visa Conditions and Restrictions

If you cross the 31-year-old threshold after your visa is issued, you can stay in the UK for as long as your visa is valid.
You won’t be able to extend your stay beyond 24 months unless you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
You’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate for some academic courses.
You can work in almost any job, be self-employed, or set up a company as long as your premises are rented, you do not have any employees, and your equipment is worth less than £5,000.
You aren’t permitted to work as a professional sportsperson (for example, as a coach).
You won’t have access to public funds.
You won’t be able to bring any family members with you. They must apply separately.

Restrictions Under the Youth Mobility Visa for Dentists

Under the Youth Mobility Visa for dentists, these restrictions will apply:
1. Dentist in Training: Dentists are not allowed to work as “dentists in training” unless they hold a primary dental degree from a UK-recognised institution or an institution approved by the UK Health and Care Professions Council.
2. General Work Restrictions:
- Dentists cannot access public funds or welfare benefits
- They cannot switch to another visa category while in the UK under this scheme; any application for a different visa must be made from outside the UK
1. Employment Scope: While dentists can work in non-training roles or unrelated fields, they are restricted from engaging in roles that require professional training posts, such as vocational or foundation training.
2. Self-Employment: Dentists can be self-employed under the visa but must adhere to general restrictions, such as not owning premises, not employing staff, and ensuring equipment costs do not exceed £5,000.

Restrictions Under Youth Mobility Visa for Doctors

Under the Youth Mobility Visa Doctors face these restrictions regarding their professional activities:
1. Working as a Doctor in Training: Doctors cannot work as doctors in training unless they hold a primary medical degree from a UK-recognised institution or an institution approved by the UK Health and Care Professions Council. This restriction applies to roles requiring vocational or foundation training posts.
2. General Employment:
- Doctors can work in non-training roles or unrelated fields while holding the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
- Locum positions or other medical roles that do not involve formal training may be permissible, provided the individual meets General Medical Council (GMC) registration requirements
1. Self-Employment: Doctors can be self-employed under the visa but must adhere to restrictions, such as not owning premises, not employing staff, and ensuring equipment costs do not exceed £5,000.
2. Other Restrictions:
- Doctors holding a Youth Mobility Visa cannot access public funds or welfare benefits
- They cannot switch to another visa category while in the UK; all applications for a different visa have to be made from outside the country
When you work with us here at Swift Visa Global we will inform you about everything you can and cannot do under this visa scheme so you can enjoy a hassle-free stay in the UK.

What to Do If Your Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Application Gets Refused

There can be various reasons behind your Youth Mobility Visa application getting refused, such as:
- If the Home Office has concerns about your conduct, character, associations or anything that they feel would not be conducive to the public good, they might reject your application
- If you have a criminal record, it might affect your visa application depending on the type of conviction you faced, how long ago it was and the duration of the sentence
- If the Home Office finds any of the information provided by you on the application is false, they may reject your application
- If you have any records of breaching any immigration rules, it might get your application refused
- If you have already used the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the past, you will not be eligible to reapply
- If you have any dependents or children under the age of 18, you will not be granted the visa
- If you are applying for the visa from within the UK, the Home Office will not grant you permission for the visa

Why Choose Swift Visa Global?

For more information regarding the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa application process or for visa assistance, please contact us today. Our team of IAA-regulated Level 1 advisors can help you find the visa route for your circumstances and guide you through the entire visa application process to ensure a positive outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the UK?
To apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the UK, one must first check one’s eligibility status. If eligible, one can apply for the visa online through the UK government website. The application process requires the applicant to provide personal information and evidence of eligibility and pay the application fee.
How much is the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
The application fee for the Youth Mobility Visa is £298.
Can individuals work full-time while on a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the UK?
Individuals holding a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa can work full-time in the UK. However, they are not allowed to work as professional sports persons or coaches.
Are there any age restrictions for applicants of the Youth Mobility Visa in the UK?
Yes, there are age restrictions for applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the UK. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 for citizens of certain countries like Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada).

Other Individual Visa Services

For Consultation

Get in touch with our IAA-accredited visa consultants near London today for expert guidance you can trust.

For over a decade, we’ve been supporting businesses and individuals with immigration and visa matters—offering trusted advice and successfully managing a wide range of applications.

To get started, please complete our online enquiry form, and a member of our expert team will be in touch shortly. Alternatively, feel free to contact us directly using the phone number below.

consult@swiftvisaglobal.co.uk

+44 785 1419 944

I’ve worked with Swift Visa Global for over six years and have always found them to be helpful, approachable, and true experts in their field. I know I can count on them for prompt, detailed responses—whether by phone or email. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone needing guidance and support on their visa journey.

I’ve worked with Swift Visa Global for nearly 10 years, and their support and advice have always been exceptional. From assisting with the sponsorship of new employees to delivering training for our entire team, they are consistently helpful, knowledgeable, and reliable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of expert immigration guidance.

Having worked with Swift Visa Global for over eight years, I cannot recommend their services highly enough. We’ve partnered with them on a wide range of immigration matters—from complex sponsor licence issues following acquisitions to everyday sponsorship processes and compliance reporting—and the service has always been outstanding.

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Swift Visa Global for several years, and the level of service they provide has been consistently outstanding. Their team demonstrates a deep understanding of UK immigration processes and always offers clear, practical advice tailored to our needs. No query is ever too big or too small—they are always approachable, accommodating, and incredibly helpful, regardless of the complexity or urgency of the issue.

We have worked with Swift Visa Global for over 10 years, starting with our initial application for a Sponsor Licence. From day one, their guidance, communication, professionalism, and efficiency have been second to none. Their team consistently delivers exemplary support, no matter how complex or straightforward the request.

Our Clients

At Swift Visa Global, we are dedicated to providing exceptional service to every client. We’re proud to share their success stories, highlighting our unwavering commitment to excellence and the positive impact we make along the way.