Youth Mobility Scheme (T5) Visa

Getting Started

To be eligible, you must be aged between 18 and 30, though nationals of some countries can apply up to the age of 35 — so it’s worth checking the specific rules for your nationality. You’ll need to be a citizen of a participating country or hold an eligible British overseas nationality, and have at least £2,530 in personal savings to support yourself when you arrive. For some nationalities — including those from Hong Kong and Taiwan — places are allocated through a ballot system, meaning you’ll need to enter and be selected before you can apply. One important point to note: dependants cannot be included in this visa, so partners or children would need to apply separately under a different route.

What You Can Do

The YMS Visa is granted for up to 24 months, with nationals of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand able to extend by a further year, bringing their total stay to 36 months. During your time in the UK, you can work in most jobs and are also permitted to be self-employed, subject to some restrictions — for example, you cannot take on employees, and there are limitations on premises and equipment. Study is also allowed, though some courses may require ATAS clearance. The main restrictions to be aware of are that you cannot access public funds or work as a professional sportsperson.

Planning Your Next Steps

The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa does not lead directly to settlement in the UK, and extensions are only available to Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand nationals. If you decide during your stay that you’d like to remain in the UK on a longer-term basis, you’ll need to switch to an eligible visa route — such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Spouse Visa — before your current visa expires. Many people use their YMS period to lay the groundwork for exactly that, building careers, relationships, and connections that open the door to a more permanent future in the UK.