Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Australian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Australian citizens living in the United States need a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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 United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
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.