Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Australian citizen in Australia → United Kingdom
Australian nationals aged 18 to 35 with at least £2,530 in savings can apply on gov.uk for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months, then prove their identity and provide documents.
Lets Australian nationals aged 18 to 35 live and work in the UK for up to 2 years, provided they have enough savings to support themselves.
- Validity
- You'll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 24 months from the start of your visa.
When to start
Start 30 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in Australia
- VFS releases appointment slots up to ~90 days ahead; if you see “No slots available”, new slots are often added — retry over the next few days.
- You can book any centre in your country of residence — a centre in another city often has earlier slots.
You can apply if you're aged 18 to 35 and from Australia.
You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself, held for at least 28 days in a row.
Complete the application on gov.uk. The application fee is £340, plus the healthcare surcharge.
As part of the application you'll pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £776 per year.
Once approved, you'll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.
What you'll need
- Passport / identity document — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Proof of savings — Evidence you have at least £2,530 in your bank account, held for at least 28 days in a row. ✓ verified
- Proof of age — You must be aged 18 or over when your visa starts, or 35 or under when you apply. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a UK visa application centre.
Fees
| Youth Mobility Scheme visa application fee | GBP 340 |
Gotchas to watch
- You cannot extend your stay unless you're from Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
- You cannot bring in family members on your application, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.