UK opens first 2026 Youth Mobility Scheme ballot for Taiwanese

Do you want to live, work and study in the UK for up to two years? The UK government has announced the opening of the first 2026 Youth Mobility Scheme ballot for Taiwanese, and if you are between 18 and 30, this could be your golden ticket to spending two years living and working in the UK.

For 2026, Taiwan has been allocated 1,000 places in total, with 800 available in this February ballot and the remaining 200 places becoming available in a summer ballot later in the year.

Am I eligible?

To enter the ballot, you must:

• be aged 18 to 30 on the date of application;
• hold a valid Taiwanese passport;
• have at least £2,530 in savings and (held in your account for 28 consecutive days);
• not have children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you;
• not have previously held a Youth Mobility Scheme visa;
• apply from outside the UK.

How do I enter ballot?

The ballot operates on a lottery system, meaning everyone who enters has an equal chance of being selected. No special qualifications are needed, just luck of the draw.

The ballot opens at 00:01 (12:01 am) on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 and closes at 00:01 on Thursday, 12 February 2026, Taiwan time.

You will need to send one email (multiple entries won’t improve your odds) to TaiwanYMS@homeoffice.gov.uk. Your email subject line must include your name, date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format, and passport number – all in English.

You will receive an automated confirmation that you are in the running, and then it’s time to cross your fingers.

What happens if I am selected?

By Friday 27 February 2026, successful applicants will receive a second email with instructions on how to proceed. From there, you will have 90 days to complete your online application, pay the visa fees, and attend a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre. All steps must be completed by 28 May 2026.

What can I do on this visa?

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows Taiwanese to:

• work in most jobs (except as a professional sportsperson or coach);
• study (however, certain courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate)’
• travel freely in and out of the UK.

Why this matters

In an increasingly connected world, spending two years living and working abroad isn’t just fun – it is highly beneficial for employability, career development and personal growth. The UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme recognises this, creating a pathway for young people to gain international experience without the usual bureaucratic hurdles.

The opening of the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot represents more than just a visa lottery – it is a doorway to adventure, professional development and life-changing experiences. Whether you end up working in London’s financial district, volunteering on an organic farm in Wales, or studying at a language school in Cambridge, these two years could shape the rest of your life.

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on all UK visa matters. 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 X, 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.

©Gherson 2026