Travelling and working abroad is an incredible way to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet people worldwide, and gain valuable work experience. For travellers looking to experience life in the UK and travel to Europe, the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, commonly called the working holiday visa, is a great opportunity. Here’s a detailed guide on applying for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for the UK, covering the cost, eligibility, application process, required documentation, and other important information. This is based on my experiences as someone from Australia who was successfully granted the visa in 2024.
What is the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows young people from certain countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. This visa is part of the UK’s efforts to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. It provides a fantastic opportunity to experience British culture, travel around the UK and Europe, and work to fund your stay. If you’re from Australia, Canada or New Zealand, you also have the option to extend your visa and stay a third year.
Eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
To be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you must meet specific criteria:
- Age Requirement: You must be between 18 and 30 years old. If you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Korea, the age limit is 18 to 35.
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, or San Marino. British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens, and British Nationals (Overseas) are also eligible.
- Funds: To support yourself, you must initially have at least £2,530 ($4800 AUD) in savings.
- No Dependents: You cannot apply if you have children who live with you or children you are financially responsible for.
Costs Involved
Applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa involves several costs:
- Application Fee: The application fee for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa is £259 ($491 AUD)
- Healthcare Surcharge: You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is currently £470 ($890 AUD) per year. For a two-year visa, this totals £940 ($1,783 AUD).
- Supporting Funds: You must show proof of having at least £2,530 ($4,800 AUD) in your bank account. You need to have had the money available for at least 28 days. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa
Detailed Breakdown of Costs
Application Fee: The Youth Mobility Scheme visa fee is £259 ($890 AUD). This non-refundable fee must be paid when you submit your application.
Healthcare Surcharge: The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that provides access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). This ensures you have access to the public medical system (the equivalent of Medicare in Australia) for the duration of your time in the UK. The surcharge is £470 ($890 AUD) per year, so for a two-year visa, you must pay £940 ($1,783 AUD) upfront. You will need to pay this at the time when you submit your application.
Proof of Funds: To support yourself initially, you must demonstrate that you have at least £2,530 ($4,800 AUD) in your bank account. This ensures you have enough funds to cover your living expenses until you earn in the UK. This is in addition to the amounts needed to pay for the Healthcare Surcharge and Application Fee. Once your application has been approved and your visa is granted, you can dip into the £2,530 ($4,800 AUD) sitting in a savings account for living costs until you need or to pay for flights or accommodation when you arrive.
So, how much does the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Cost?
You must spend at least £1,199 ($2,274 AUD) for a two-year visa to obtain a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa. You would also need to have an additional £2,530 ($4,800 AUD) sitting in a savings account. So, this is £3,729 ($7,074 AUD).
The Application Process
Applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa involves several steps:
- Prepare Your Documents: Gather all the necessary documents before starting your application. These include your passport, proof of savings, and any additional documents specific to your country (e.g., tuberculosis test results if required).
- Online Application: You can submit your application online through the UK government’s official visa website here. You must create an account, fill out the application form, pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge, and show proof of funds. You also need to designate a post office in the UK where you will report to pick up your physical Visa Permit Card when you arrive.
- Biometrics Appointment: After submitting your application, you must attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre. Here, your fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
- Submit Supporting Documents: Depending on your country, you may need to submit your supporting documents at the visa application centre or mail them to the UK Visas and Immigration office.
- Wait for a Decision: After submitting your biometrics and documents, you must wait for a decision. Processing times can vary, but it typically takes about three weeks.
- Collect your Passport: After your Visa has been approved, you must either collect your passport from the visa application centre or pay a fee to post it to you. Your passport will have a full-page tourist visa allowing you entry into the UK. Once you arrive in the UK, you must pick up your physical residence permit from the post office you selected when you applied.
Required Documentation
When applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in the UK.
- Proof of Funds: Bank statements showing you have at least £2,530 ($4,800 AUD) in savings.
- Tuberculosis Test Results: If you are from a country where you must take the tuberculosis test, you must provide the test results. You need a Tuberculosis test if you’ve lived in any country on the list for 6 months or more. You can find the list of countries here.
- Visa Application Form: A printed copy of your completed online application form.
- Biometrics Receipt: Proof that you have attended your biometrics appointment.
Tips for Gathering Documents
Valid Passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in the UK. Renew your passport if it is close to expiring.
Proof of Funds: Your bank statements should show that you have held the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days. Make sure the statement is dated within 31 days of your application.
Tuberculosis Test Results: If you are from a country requiring tuberculosis testing, make an appointment with an approved clinic well in advance. The test results are usually valid for six months.
Preparing for the Biometrics Appointment
The biometrics appointment is a crucial step in the application process. You must attend a visa application centre to have your fingerprints and photograph taken. Here are some tips to prepare for the appointment:
Book Early: Schedule your biometrics appointment when you submit your online application to avoid delays. In Australia, you can generally get an appointment within two weeks of submitting your application, but times may be limited or inconvenient.
Documents: Bring your appointment confirmation, passport, and any other required documents to the appointment.
Waiting for a Decision
The waiting game begins after you have attended your biometrics appointment and submitted your supporting documents. Generally, it takes a maximum of six weeks for the visa to be approved; however, many applicants (in Australia) receive a result within 10 days of their submission. You should hold off on booking flights, accommodation or making travel plans until you have the visa approval. Here are some tips to make the wait less stressful:
Track Your Application: Most visa application centres provide a tracking service so you can monitor the progress of your application.
Stay Organized: Keep a copy of all your documents and correspondence related to your application. This will help you stay organized and prepared in case you need to provide additional information.
Prepare for Your Move: Use this waiting period to start preparing for your move to the UK. Research accommodation options and job opportunities, and familiarize yourself with the UK culture.
Important Information to Know
Work Restrictions: While the Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows you to work in most jobs, there are some restrictions. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, including a coach, and you cannot extend your visa or switch to another visa category while in the UK.
Studying: You can study while on this visa, but you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if this scheme covers your course.
Healthcare: By paying the Immigration Health Surcharge, you will have access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. This covers most healthcare needs, but you may still need to pay for some services, such as dental treatment and prescriptions.
Taxes: If you work while in the UK, you will be subject to UK tax laws. This includes paying income tax and National Insurance contributions. Ensure you get a National Insurance number once you arrive in the UK.
Travelling In and Out of the UK: The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows multiple entries, so you can travel in and out of the UK during your stay. This is perfect for those who want to explore Europe and beyond.
Finding Accommodation: Start looking for accommodation before you arrive in the UK. Websites like SpareRoom, Rightmove, and Zoopla can help you find rooms or apartments. Hostels and temporary housing options like Airbnb can also be good starting points. Are you interested in jobs with live-in accommodation? Read my post here to find out how to land a job with accommodation.
Networking and Finding Jobs: Utilize job search websites like Indeed, Reed, and LinkedIn to find employment opportunities. Networking with other travellers and locals can also lead to job offers and new opportunities.
Next Steps
Once your visa has been approved, you can start booking flights and accommodation for your first few nights. Depending on whether you are getting to work straight away or planning to travel, you may want to start applying for jobs. It generally takes at least 2-4 weeks for the interview and employment induction process for most entry-level jobs, so starting early is a great idea. For other professions, this process may be longer or shorter.
Arriving in the UK
When you arrive, one of the first things you should do is pick up your physical Residence Permit Card. You don’t need to make an appointment for this, but you should check the post office opening times before going. You can find information on post office opening times here.
The next thing you should do is apply for a National Insurance Number. You can’t apply for this before you reach the UK, but you should do it as soon as you arrive. You will need a National Insurance Number (NIS) to legally work in the UK (it is similar to a TFN Number in Australia). Generally, you can usually start work without an NIS Number and provide it to your employer a few weeks into employment. You can apply for an NIS Number here. Within a few weeks, they will send you a physical letter to your address in the UK with the number. You’ll then need to provide this to your employer.
Lastly, you should open a UK Bank Account once you have a UK address to make it easier to be paid by your employer. Monzo, Revolut and Wise are popular UK banks for those planning on travelling, as they can be easily used throughout Europe. Monzo is very strict with permitting Youth Scheme Visa Holders to open a UK account, so expect to be rejected if you apply. Wise and Revolut will generally be your best bet for opening a UK Bank Account.
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