UNITED KINGDOM: Youth Mobility Scheme Update

January 6, 2022


Background

The UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme is a cultural exchange program which allows young people, aged from 18 to 30, from a select group of countries, to experience life in the UK for up to two years.

Historically, the countries have included Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and San Marino. Each country is allocated an annual quota of Youth Mobility visas that can be granted to its citizens. The scheme is also open to British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens or those holding British National (Overseas) status, however these applicants are not subject to an annual allocation quota.

Recent Updates

The Home Office has updated its Youth Mobility Scheme guidance to reflect that Iceland and India have the joined the scheme as of 1 January 2022.  Iceland will have an allocation of 1,000 places in 2022 and India will be allocated 3,000 places. Further updates will be provided once the first India ballot is ready to launch.

The latest guidance also clarifies the documents that applicants from Iceland and San Marino are required to provide to meet the sponsorship requirement:

  • Sammarinese applicants must provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs.
  • Applicants from Iceland must provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use.

Indian nationals will also need to meet the sponsorship requirement; further information will be provided once the ballot is announced.

Our Advice

Individuals interested in applying under the Youth Mobility Scheme are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to the UK, please contact us.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.