Your young family members may be able to explore and work in the UK by using the Youth Mobility Scheme visa from USA, although only if they have an eligible nationality. Over 20,000 young people use this visa each year.
This working holiday visa has a challenging application process. Work with an immigration provider, such as Immigration Advice Service, to boost your chances of a successful application.
The Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Has Strict Eligibility Requirements
Young people can only apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa if they fit a range of strict requirements. They will need to be between 18 and 30 years old when they make the application, which extends to 18-35 for citizens of South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The British Government will also not give state funds to support Youth Mobility Scheme holders while they are in the UK. Therefore, young applicants must show they have a minimum of £2,530 in savings to support themselves in the country. This money will need to be in their account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days in the 31 days before they make their application.
Finally, your family member will only be able to stay in the UK for a maximum of 24 months. Applicants from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for an additional year-long extension. Young people also can’t hold this visa more than once.
Not Everyone From the US Can Get the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
Citizens of the USA cannot get a place on the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme because the USA has no relevant reciprocal agreements with the UK. As a result, your young family members will need to hold one of the following nationalities to qualify, or will need to consider other suitable visa types:
- Andorra
- Australia
- British overseas or British overseas territories citizen
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Uruguay
Certain Nationalities Require Your Young Family Members to Succeed in a Ballot
While some young people can automatically apply for this visa, certain nationalities have additional requirements. Hong Kongers and Taiwanese young people must succeed in a ballot to earn the necessary official invitation to apply.
To participate, your young family member must write an email in English to the Home Office. The subject line must include their name, date of birth, and passport number. The ballot usually opens in January and July each year, with most applicants being selected in January, while the summer ballot is for any leftover spots.
Success in the ballot will be confirmed by email, and your family member will then be allowed to apply within 30 days. They will alternatively be able to try again in the ballot, so long as they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Some other nationalities have alternative requirements. Applicants from San Marino must provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs confirming their suitability for the scheme. It must be no more than six months old. Meanwhile, Icelander applicants should provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use alongside their supporting documentation.
There is a Standardised Application Process
Having confirmed their eligibility and succeeded in the ballot, if necessary, your family member can begin the application process. They must follow the steps detailed below:
- Use the UK Visas and Immigration website to download and complete the application form.
- Upload the completed form and any supporting documentation to the online system.
- Pay the £340 application fee, alongside the annual £776 immigration healthcare surcharge. This will allow your family member to access comprehensive care through the National Health Service.
- Submit your application.
- Book and attend the biometric appointment. Officials will take your family member’s fingerprints and photograph. This must be done within 90 days of succeeding on the ballot.
Having attended the biometric appointment, your family member’s application will then be processed. You can expect this to take three weeks, yet processing can take longer if there is a Home Office backlog or if there are issues with your family member’s application.
There Are Limits to What Can Be Done in the UK
Once your family member has successfully been issued a visa, they will be allowed to travel from the US to the UK. Once in the country, there will be limits on the activities that they can take part in.
Below is a list of what can be done with a Youth Mobility Scheme visa:
- Study, although you may need an additional Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate.
- Conduct self-employed work.
- Work in most jobs.
However, your family member will not be able to work as a sportsperson, receive public funds, extend their stay, or bring family member dependents with them to the UK. Moreover, there are limits on the self-employed work they can do. Your family member can’t purchase their business premises, use equipment worth more than £5,000, or hire employees.
How Can IAS Help?
Britain has reciprocal youth mobility agreements with a number of nations. Having one of these nationalities will allow your young family members to take part, even if they are coming from the US, which does not have such an agreement with Britain. However, your family member will need to succeed in the challenging application process before they can take part in this fantastic opportunity.
Connect your family member with a leading immigration law firm, such as Immigration Advice Service, to give them the highest possible chance of a successful application. Our team can help them understand if they are eligible before gathering their documentation and guiding them through the entire application process. Our support continues once your family member arrives in the UK, as we can help them to understand what activities they will be allowed to conduct while in the country.
