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The Youth Mobility Scheme

Dec 18, 2023

The UK Government has increased the reciprocal Youth Mobility Scheme to further explore life and work in different countries for young people. The scheme allows those under 35 and their counterparts in other countries to explore life and work in each other's countries - as the UK signs more such deals along with post-Brexit trade negotiations.

The scheme is usually open for people aged 18-30 to live and work without the need of a sponsoring employer for up to two years.

What are January’s changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme?

From 31 January 2024 changes are being made to reflect bilateral arrangements negotiated over the past year.

The total number of allocated places for nationals of Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) who can travel to the UK and vice versa under the YMS will increase, so both nationalities will no longer need to enter a ballot to be picked to apply but will be able to apply online on the UK Government’s Youth Mobility Scheme site.

The total allocation of places available for nationals or citizens of Japan participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme in 2024 will increase from 1,500 to 6000.

For South Koreans, the allocation will increase and the age range for nationals or citizens of the Republic of Korea will be expanded from the customary 18-30 to 18-35.

Uruguay joins the Youth Mobility Scheme in today’s Statement of Changes, becoming the first South American nation to join the Youth Mobility Scheme. The maximum total allocation of places available for use by nationals or citizens is 500. There is no mention of any need to apply for a ballot to apply, just a criminal record check like other recent additions to the scheme: Andorra, Iceland, San Marino and India.

Britain’s reciprocal YMS agreements with Australia and Canada are also expanding on 31st of January for applications up to and including the age of 35 and to extend the maximum of two years by an extra year, as added in the last Statement of Changes.

Plus, up to 100 nationals of Andorra aged 18-30 will also be able to spend up to two years living, studying or working in the UK like most nations which are part of the UK’s YMS visa scheme.

Find out more on our service page - https://ukvisas.co.uk/visa-services/youth-mobility-visas/

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