Youth mobility scheme

The UK government has committed to providing opportunities for young people and facilitating cultural exchange.

The Youth Mobility Scheme is a temporary route that provides young people, from participating countries, with an opportunity to experience life in the UK. This visa gives young people the opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years. 

Eligible applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 or 18 and 35* at the time of application, have £2,530 in savings and citizens of countries within the arrangements or are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas). 

The scheme exists between the two countries, which enables young British citizens to benefit from similar opportunities overseas. 

You cannot apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme if you have children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you are financially responsible for.

The UK currently operates nine youth mobility scheme arrangements with Andorra, Australia, Canada, Monaco, Japan, New Zealand, San Marino, Hong Kong, South Korea, Uruguay, Iceland and Taiwan.

*You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you’re aged 18 to 35 and from New Zealand Australia, Canada or South Korea. You must be aged 18 or over when your visa starts, or 35 or under when you apply for it. You can apply for your visa before you turn 18 and you can be over 35 when it starts.

For more details on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit GOV.UK.