UK Youth Mobility
United Kingdom
Residency
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See if you're a match →The UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa is for young adults from participating countries and territories who want to live and work in the UK temporarily. It generally requires an eligible citizenship or British national status, age fit, savings, no dependent children, and sometimes ballot selection.
- Type
- Temporary youth-mobility work visa
- Who it covers
- Young adults from eligible passport countries
- Core requirements
- Eligible citizenship, age, funds, and route-specific rules
- Main limit
- Usually temporary, with passport and age limits
- Duration
- Temporary stay, often around 12 months unless the country allows a longer period.
- Renewal / path
- Renewal is limited; it is usually not a direct permanent-residence route.
Summary
The UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa lets eligible young adults from participating countries and territories live and work in the UK temporarily. It does not require a UK job offer before applying, which makes it one of the UK's more flexible short-term work routes.
The route is not permanent and does not lead directly to settlement. It is mainly useful for people who want time in the UK to work, travel, and explore whether a longer-term route might make sense later.
Indian citizens use the separate India Young Professionals Scheme instead.
Eligibility
You may be a fit if:
- You are not already a British or Irish citizen.
- You are a citizen of a participating country or hold an eligible British national status.
- You fit the age limit for your country: some countries allow ages 18 to 35, while others use 18 to 30.
- You can show the required savings.
- You do not have children under 18 who live with you or depend on you financially.
- You have not already been in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- If your country requires a ballot, you are selected before applying.
What This Route Allows
The Youth Mobility Scheme can let you live and work in the UK for a temporary period. Some nationalities can stay longer than others under current rules, so check the GOV.UK page for your specific country.
What This Route Is Not
- A permanent-residence route.
- A route for dependants.
- A route you can use repeatedly.
- The same as the India Young Professionals Scheme.
Next Steps
- Confirm your citizenship is on the current eligible-nationalities list.
- Check the age limit and stay length for your country.
- Confirm whether your country requires a ballot.
- Prepare savings evidence and identity documents.
- Apply through GOV.UK when eligible.