Youth Mobility Visa ballot to open for East Asian countries – Scheme also to be extended for New Zealand nationals  

The second ballot for the 2022 Youth Mobility Scheme will open from Monday 25 July and close on Wednesday 27 July. Nationals of the following countries will be able to apply to enter the ballot:

• Hong Kong, (those holding a SAR passport);
• Japan
• South Korea;
• Taiwan

 

How to enter the Youth Mobility ballot

To enter the ballot, individuals should ensure they meet the eligibility requirements (see below) and send an email during the 48-hour window.  All emails must be in English and follow the below format:

Email subject line: Lastname Firstname – DD/MM/YYYY – passport number

The body of the email must include the following details only:

• Full name as per passport;
• Date of birth;
• Passport number;
• Mobile telephone number.

Please see below the specific email address for each country.

Hong Kong

Email HongKong.YMS2022@fcdo.gov.uk between midday Monday 25 July and midday Wednesday 27 July 2022 (Hong Kong time) to enter the ballot.

Japan

Email Japan.YMS2022@fcdo.gov.uk between midday Monday 25 July and midday Wednesday 27 July 2022 (Tokyo time) to enter the ballot.

South Korea

Email SouthKorea.YMS2022@fcdo.gov.uk between midday Monday 25 July and midday Wednesday 27 July 2022 (Seoul time) to enter the ballot.

Taiwan

Email Taiwan.YMS2022@fcdo.gov.uk between midday Monday 25 July and midday Wednesday 27 July 2022 (Taipei time) to enter the ballot.

 

How will I know if I am successful?

Individuals that are successful during this ballot round will receive an email by 29 July 2022. Once notified, individuals will have 30 days to submit their Youth Mobility visa application and attend a biometrics appointment at the nearest Visa Application Centre.

Individuals should receive a decision within 3 weeks of attending the biometrics appointment. If the visa is approved, individuals will be issued with a 90-day visa vignette endorsed in their passport. Once individuals have arrived in the UK, they will collect their long term Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from an approved location – the BRP will be valid for 2 years.

 

Eligibility requirements

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows certain individuals to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. Individuals must be aged between 18 to 30 and be from the following countries:

• Australia (30,000 places available per annum)
• Canada (6,000 places available per annum)
• Monaco (1,000 places available per annum)
• New Zealand (13,000 places available per annum)
• San Marino (1,000 places available per annum)
• Iceland (1,000 places available per annum)

Individuals from the following countries may also apply but must first be successful via the ballot:

• Hong Kong (1,000 places available per annum)
• Japan (1,500 places available per annum)
• South Korea (1,000 places available per annum)
• Taiwan (1,000 places available per annum)
• India (3,000 places available per annum – NB the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot is yet to open and therefore further details are currently unavailable)

Individuals must also be able to demonstrate they have at least £2,530 available in a bank account to support themselves in the UK.

 

Youth Mobility Scheme to be extended for New Zealand nationals

Earlier this month, the United Kingdom and New Zealand agreed to enhance their existing Youth Mobility Scheme visa and Working Holiday Scheme visa – the following reciprocal changes were agreed:

• Extending the eligible age range to 18 – 35; and
• Extending the length of visa to 3 years.

 

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