If you’re an Australian looking to travel and work in the United Kingdom for an extended time, the UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa may be the perfect option. This visa allows young Australians to live and work in the UK for up to two years while experiencing the culture and sights of this fascinating country. This article will explain everything you need about the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa for Australians and what you need to apply for Youth Mobility visa UK.
What is the UK Youth Mobility Scheme?
The UK Youth Mobility Scheme is a visa program that allows young people from certain countries to work and travel in the UK for up to two years. The scheme promotes cultural exchange and allows young people to experience life in the UK. Australia is one country that has a reciprocal agreement with the UK to participate in the YMS.
UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa Requirements:
You must fulfil the following criteria if you are an Australian citizen and wish to apply for youth Mobility visa UK:
- At the time of application, between the ages of 18 and 30.
- Have a minimum of 4,500 AUD ($2,530) in savings.
You can not apply if you:
- Possess dependent children that are your responsibility financially or who reside with you.
- Possess already finished a working vacation in the UK on a similar programme.
Also Read: What Is The UK Visa Requirement For Australian Citizen?
Required Document To Apply For Youth Mobility Visa UK:
You must submit the following paperwork when applying for an Australian citizen’s Youth Mobility Scheme visa to the UK:
- An active passport.
- A bank statement showing savings of at least £2,530 or its equivalent.
The fee to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa is £259 (about AUD 470). However, there is an additional fee of £940 (about AUD1,700) for the Immigration Health Surcharge, making the overall cost of an application for a 2-year visa around AUD2,170. Details are provided below.
Health Surcharge for Immigration:
When you apply for your visa, you must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). (This would be refunded if your visa application is not approved.) To calculate your exact duty, use the calculator provided by the UK government.
However, a two-year Youth Mobility Scheme visa holder from Australia may anticipate paying about £940. (approx. AUD1,700). Even though this is a sizable sum, you will receive free medical care in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS).
How to apply for youth Mobility visa UK:
A UK working holiday visa can be requested up to six months before the desired travel date. Although you can pay an extra charge to acquire a quicker turnaround time, it usually takes three weeks to get a decision (so make sure you allow enough time).
Due to the strong demand, lingering effects of COVID-19, and prioritising visa applications for Ukrainians, processing times for UK visas have been longer than usual in 2022. Average wait times are now closer to four weeks than the stated three weeks as of December 2022. Before travelling to the UK, you must apply for this visa online at the website of the UK government. Then, you must visit a visa application centre to get your fingerprints and picture taken.
Also Read: Best UK Visa and Immigration Solicitors in Kedington
Supporting Documentation Proving Financial Authority:
Ensure you provide enough documentation when applying for this visa to demonstrate that you have had at least £2,530 in savings (or the equivalent in another currency) for at least the past 28 days.
If the UK government needs to request further documentation to verify that you have enough money, your application can be delayed. Unfortunately, this happens rather frequently, and the UK Decision-Making Centre has been known to ask for additional proof even after receiving relevant bank statements.
Conclusion:
If you’re an adventurous Australian looking to travel and work in the UK, the Youth Mobility Scheme visa is an excellent option. It offers a unique opportunity to experience UK culture, improve language skills, and gain valuable work experience. With this guide, you should have all the information you need to apply for a Youth Mobility visa in the UK. If you need guidance, consult My Legal Services, professional immigration solicitor in London, the UK.