The UK’s Youth Mobility Visa Improvements Are Now In Place!
The long-awaited improvements to the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme visa for Australians have come into effect today!
As of 31 January 2024, Australian citizens aged up to 35 years old (inclusive) can now apply for the UK’s version of a working holiday visa. Previously, the age limit was 30.
The initial visa remains valid for two years. But from today, Australians already living in the UK on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa can apply to extend this visa for a third year. This is possible within four weeks of the original visa expiring.
The option to extend this visa is also available to Australians who originally applied for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa between 1 February 2022 and 30 January 2024.
If you’ve been thinking about moving to the UK, now is an ideal time to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme or Ancestry Visa because the Immigration Health Surcharge will increase on 6 February 2024. That’s next week. Applications for new visas submitted by 5 February 2024 will still enjoy the lower rates
UK Youth Mobility Scheme improvements for citizens of other countries
From today, the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa is also available to citizens of Andorra and Uruguay.
The UK also today increased the age limit for people from Canada and South Korea to 35. In addition, it removed the requirement for Japanese and South Korean citizens to apply for a ballot to be selected for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
See our guide to the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa for more details.
