UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa (2026 Guide): Requirements, Costs & Ballot Process

People dream of living in the UK for a couple of years and making unforgettable memories. The UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa is an excellent immigration option for young people to live and work in the UK.

With the visa, you don’t need any kind of employer sponsorship. It is commonly referred to as the UK working holiday visa and is ideal for planning a short-term stay focused on work, travel, and cultural exchange. An eligible national can stay in the UK with this route for 2 to 3 years.

Which countries are eligible for visa applications, and how can the candidates apply? In this guide, I will explain the eligibility, the Youth Mobility ballot system, application steps, and living costs in the UK.

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What is the UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)?

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), formerly known as the Tier 5 visa, allows young adults to stay in the UK for up to two years (or three years for certain countries).

Work visas for the UK require a sponsored job offer, a specific salary, and skills as a pathway to settlement. Unlike the work visas, YMS does not require sponsorship. It is the most straightforward and ideal way to work in the UK legally.

The following are the benefits you can get with the Youth Mobility scheme visa.

1. Allow to work for any employer.
2. You can switch jobs without restrictions.
3. Offers freedom to travel in and out of the country.
4. Allow enrolment and study of short courses.
5. An international resident can work independently under specific rules.

Who is this Visa For?

Congrats! If you are from any of these countries, you can apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

1. Australia, Canada, New Zealand
2. Japan, South Korea
3. Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay
4. British nationals overseas
5. Citizens of British Overseas Territories
6. Hong Kong (SAR passport), Taiwan, India (Ballot-only nationalities)

The visa allotted to the applicants under the Youth Mobility ballot system. It is a random selection process for young adults, notably from India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, to be eligible to apply for a 2-3-year visa.

The age range for visa applications is 18 to 30. However, Australians, Canadians, and New Zealanders can apply until age 35. The visa is often described as a UK work and holiday visa for cultural exchange rather than long-term settlement.

Difference Between YMS and Student Visas

You may be wondering why YMS is the best, even though I can visit the UK on a student visa. Here is the distinction essential for user intent.

1. A Student visa: Student visas require a licensed education sponsor. Most student visas limit working hours or prohibit work. It's only tied to your course, and when it ends, you have to return to your country.
2. Youth Mobility Scheme Visa UK: YMS requires no sponsorship. It allows adults to live in the country for 2 to 3 years and to work full-time. As an international visitor, you can travel or even work remotely in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements for YMS Visa

The following are the mandatory eligibility requirements to fulfil. Otherwise, your visa application can be refused.

Age and Nationality Rules

Eligibility depends on nationality, not residence status. If you are over 30, you can not apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa. However, according to the YMS rules, the age limit for nationals of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand is from 18 to 35 years.

Nationality of other countries, including SAR passport holders, British nationality variants, and British citizens, is not eligible to apply for the visa if over 30 years old.

The Financial Requirement

The United Kingdom government requires proof of funds to ensure you can support yourself. The applicants for a visa (T5) must demonstrate at least £2,530 in savings.

Key Financial Requirements:

1. The amount must be in a bank account for a consecutive 28-day period.
2. The 28-day holding period must conclude within 31 days of the date you submit your application.
3. You should have the bank statements.
4. The application fee for a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa (subclass T5) is £319.
5. Applicants should have the UK healthcare surcharge, approx. £776 for a two-year visa.

Tuberculosis (TB) Test & Clean Criminal Record

If you are applying for the YMS visa, you must have a TB test at an approved clinic. Similarly, you should have a clear criminal record and no immigration violations. The requirements apply even if you previously entered the UK under another form of UK entry clearance.

The Ballot System: Hong Kong, Taiwan, & India

I have listed the countries eligible for visa applications. However, the application process varies by country. Some nationalities first secure an invitation through the Youth Mobility Scheme visa ballot.

The countries under the Youth Mobility ballot system include:

1. Hong Kong
2. Taiwan
3. India (through the India Young Professionals Scheme, administered under the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs)

Note: In these countries, the ballot system is open twice a year within a “48-hour window”. The term refers to the limited timeframe during which eligible candidates from India, Hong Kong and Taiwan must submit an email to enter the ballot system.

How to Enter the YMS Ballot?

To apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa, the applicant must provide the following details.

1. Full legal name of applicant
2. Valid passport number
3. Date of birth and email address

The details are submitted online via GOV.UK. If you get selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply within a limited timeframe.

Step-by-Step Application Process

If you are eligible and selected by ballot, follow the steps to apply for the visa.

Online Application & Fee Payment

First, complete your online application form at GOV.UK and select the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. After that, pay the application fee to start your UK entry clearance process.

Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) provides you access to the UK’s National Health Service. The UK healthcare surcharge is mandatory for the full duration of the visa.

Biometrics & Identity Check

You’ll attend a visa application centre to submit your fingerprints and a digital photograph. These details are used to issue the applicant's Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

Getting Your Vignette & BRP

The UK has passed the 90-day Vignette in passports for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa applicants. It is now an eVisa instead of a physical sticker.

After processing, if your application is approved, you’ll receive a 90-day vignette in your passport. Similarly, you will receive instructions on how to collect your Biometric Residence Permit upon arrival, which is the official proof of immigration status in the UK.

Costs & Processing Times (2026 Update)

Here is a realistic breakdown of costs for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Living in the UK: Jobs, Rent, and Connectivity

If your visa is approved, you will have the freedom to live and work in any part of the UK.

Employment Rules

The employment rules under the Youth Mobility Scheme visa UK are flexible. The visa permits full-time employment with any employer and allows job changes without restriction. In the UK, you can work in retail, administration, construction, and care.

The self-employment rule in the UK for the YMS visa holders has some restrictions.

1. You must rent business premises
2. Equipment must cost less than £5,000
3. No employees

Here is what you can’t do under the YMS.

1. Can’t claim the government benefits like public funds.
2. Not working as a professional sportsperson.

Rent and Accommodation

Use sites like SpareRoom or Rightmove to find accommodation within your budget. Keep your rental costs ready, which generally requires a deposit (one week's rent) and a security deposit (usually 5 weeks' rent).

Don’t confirm the rent without viewing a property or verifying the landlord.

How to Get Connected Immediately in the UK?

Your travel backpack is essential to prepare for your trip. Similarly, connectivity is essential and cannot be overlooked when traveling internationally. Digital nomads and frequent travelers often rely on roaming to access data, without verifying the carrier's cost, which can result in:

1. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in roaming charges.
2. Unsatisfactory network coverage in the remote areas.
3. Weak connectivity issues.
4. Disabled network access.

eSIM technology is a modern and effortless solution to avoid these issues. You can buy a United Kingdom eSIM to stay connected and access network coverage in the country.

eSIMCard: The Effortless Connectivity Solution in the UK

eSIMCard is a reliable carrier that offers eSIMs for 200+ destinations. Instead of others, I recommend eSIMCard for its user-intended data services. The carriers offer two types of eSIM plans.

1. Data only eSIMs
2. Data + voice eSIMs

eSIM offers unlimited and fixed-data plans for both long-term and short-term use. If you are living in the UK under a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you can buy the data-only UK eSIM or an eSIM for data, calls and texts.

You can purchase the eSIM online and set it up on your iPhone or Android device via a QR code. The provider doesn’t charge for data roaming and provides instant 4G and 5G network coverage.

Conclusion

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is a legal permit that allows international travelers from specific countries to live and work in the UK. The countries eligible for the YMS visa application include Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Uruguay, Taiwan and others.

In the article, I have discussed the complete YMS eligibility details, application procedure and the living costs in the UK. Ensure you read all the details carefully, and if you meet these requirements, apply for a visa to live in the UK.

FAQs

Can I extend my Youth Mobility Visa?

If you are a national of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand or are currently in the UK, you can extend your UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa by one year (for a total of three years).

Can I bring family members?

No, you cannot bring family members, such as spouses or children, with you under the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa. This visa is for individuals only; family members can apply separately for their visas.

Does this count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

No, time spent on a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It is a temporary visa for cultural exchange, not settlement.