UK and Japan expand mobility schemes for young people

From 31 January 2024, the Home Office has introduced changes to Japanese nationals’ eligibility for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

The Home Office has increased the number of Japanese nationals eligible to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme (“YMS”) each year from 1,500 to 6,000, effective from 31 January 2024. This change comes following a bilateral agreement made between the UK and Japan, allowing mutual expansion of visa schemes between the two countries.

Japanese nationals will no longer have a limitation on making their YMS application to the UK, previously needing to register their interest via ballot, and will be permitted to make an application at any time from 31 January 2024, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

The Youth Mobility Scheme is a visa scheme designed for certain nationals, including Japanese nationals aged between 18 to 30, to allow young adults to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. In exchange, the number of British nationals permitted to apply for Japan’s Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) each year will similarly increase to 6,000 from 1 April 2024.

The agreement allows for a unique opportunity for Japanese and British nationals to gain a better understanding of each other’s cultures and experience life in the respective country.

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