UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

UK YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME VISA FOR NON-SWISS CITIZENS LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is tailored for young adults from participating countries and territories who wish to live in the United Kingdom for up to two years (or three years for citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand). Although Swiss citizens do not qualify, citizens of other nationalities living in Switzerland may be eligible.

Note that dependants are not eligible to apply under this route, and it does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain in the UK. However, visa holders may switch to another route that leads to settlement.

Requirements for a Youth Mobility Scheme Visa for non-Swiss Citizens

To qualify for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa as someone who does not hold solely Swiss citizenship, you must meet the following criteria set by UK Visas & Immigration:

Age: Be between 18 and 30 (or 18 and 35 for nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea) at the time of application.
Nationality: Be a citizen of one of the following: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Iceland, Monaco, Andorra, Uruguay, Taiwan, San Marino, or be a British Overseas citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, or British National (Overseas).
Education/Work Experience (for Indian citizens): Hold an educational qualification at or above RQF level 6 or have at least three years of professional work experience in an eligible occupation listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Financial: Have at least £2,530 in funds held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before your application.
Dependants: Not have children under 18 who live with you or depend on you financially.
Previous Participation: Not have previously entered the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Fees and Health: Pay the visa application fee, Immigration Health Charge, and provide required biometric information.
Health: Provide a tuberculosis test certificate if required.
General Grounds for Refusal: Not fall under general refusal grounds.

Individual requirements may vary. Consult an immigration lawyer for personalised advice.

To discuss your UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa application, contact our UK immigration specialists in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

Youth Mobility Scheme Quotas

Quotas limit the number of visas available each year for citizens of certain countries:

Australia: 35,000 places
New Zealand: 13,000 places
Canada: 8,000 places
Japan: 6,000 places
Republic of Korea: 5,000 places
India: 3,000 places
Iceland: 1,000 places
Monaco: 1,000 places
Taiwan: 1,000 places
Hong Kong: 1,000 places
San Marino: 1,000 places
Uruguay: 500 places
Andorra: 100 places

There are no quotas for British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, or British National (Overseas) citizens.

Country-Specific Requirements

You must obtain entry clearance under the Youth Mobility Scheme before arriving in the UK.

No Additional Requirements: Nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Monaco, British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, or British National (Overseas) must only meet the financial requirement.
Invitation Required: Nationals of Hong Kong or Taiwan need an invitation to apply and must apply within the specified time frame.
San Marino: Provide a letter from the Directorate of Political and Diplomatic Affairs of the Republic of San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs, issued within 6 months of the application.
Iceland: Provide a Criminal Certificate for Private Use issued within 6 months of the application.
India: Provide an invitation to apply, the unique application number, a local police certificate or police clearance certificate issued within 6 months, and hold a qualification at or above RQF level 6.
Andorra: Provide a criminal records certificate issued within 6 months of the application.
Uruguay: Provide a Certificate of Judicial Records issued within 6 months of the application.

Ballot Process

For nationals of Taiwan, Hong Kong (SAR passport holders), and India, a ballot system is in place. Applicants express their interest and are randomly selected to apply for entry clearance. Ballots typically open in January and July for 48 hours. Successful applicants have 30 days to submit their visa application.

Financial Requirement

You must have at least £2,530 in funds held for 28 consecutive days within the 31 days before your application. You must not have children under 18 living with or financially dependent on you.

Visa Decision and Conditions

If approved, you can stay in the UK for up to 2 years. Citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for a one-year extension before the initial 2-year visa expires.

As a visa holder, you can work (excluding as a professional sportsperson or sports coach) and study. Self-employment is allowed if you have no employees, equipment value below £5,000, and no business premises other than your home.

You cannot access public funds.

Refusal and Switching Categories

If your application is refused, you may seek an Administrative Review. Consult an immigration lawyer for legal advice.

Before your visa expires, you may switch to another immigration category such as the Skilled Worker or Innovator Founder route. Our immigration barristers can advise on long-term immigration options leading to UK settlement.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Our experienced immigration barristers assist with all types of visa applications. We are experts in Youth Mobility Scheme visas and provide guidance to citizens of eligible countries residing in Switzerland through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We are dedicated to understanding and meeting our clients’ needs with clear and reliable immigration advice in a professional and friendly manner.

For assistance, contact our immigration lawyers in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications to enter the UK under alternative immigration routes

The UK offers a range of personal and business immigration routes. Details of all the main immigration routes are available on our website. However, some of the most popular routes are as follows:

The Skilled Worker visa is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office-approved sponsor.

The Innovator Founder visa category is for individuals who are start-up entrepreneurs or experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK.

The Student visa category is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

The High Potential Individual visa is available to recent graduates of top global universities who wish to work, or look for work, in the UK.

The Graduate visa route will allow international students who have completed a UK degree to stay in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies.

Applications to switch into other immigration routes from within the UK

Prior to your Youth Mobility Scheme Visa expiring you may be able to apply from within the UK to switch into another immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker route or the Innovator Founder route. Our immigration barristers can advise on potential long term immigration routes, including routes which can lead to settlement in the UK.

Fresh applications, Administrative Reviews and Judicial Review for YMS migrants

If your application for entry clearance or as a Youth Mobility Scheme migrant has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.

If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.

If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.