What is the Youth Mobility Scheme and who currently benefits from it?
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows holders to live and work in the UK for up to two years (or up to three years if you are from New Zealand), study, be self-employed, and establish a company (subject to meeting certain requirements). The Youth Mobility Scheme only applies to certain nationalities. In this blog, we will review who may be eligible for a Youth Mobility visa and discuss the upcoming updates to this scheme.
Currently, if you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Monaco, San Marino, or Iceland, you may be eligible to apply under this scheme. It is important to note that you should be between 18 to 30 years of age.
If you are within this age bracket and a national of Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan you may also be able to apply. However, you must first participate and be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot. Information on how to enter the ballot and ballot opening timelines can be found here.
If you are a British overseas national, British overseas citizen or a British overseas territories citizen, you are also eligible to apply under this scheme without having to enter the ballot as specified above.
If you are an Indian national, there is a different scheme you can apply under called ‘India Young Professionals’. It has its own set of eligibility requirements, but they are somewhat similar to the Youth Mobility Scheme.
What changes come into effect on 31 January 2024?
From 31 January 2024, we expect to see further expansion of the scheme to include nationals of Andorra and Uruguay. In addition, if you are from Australia or Canada, the upper age limit will be raised to make the scheme accessible to those between the ages of 18 and 35, as is already the case for nationals of New Zealand. The age bracket will, however, remain the same (i.e., 18 to 30 years of age) for other eligible nationalities. This is a welcome change to many people across the globe who will soon be able to enjoy access to the Scheme.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in assisting with Skilled worker applications. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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