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Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)

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This section describes the youth mobility scheme within Tier 5 of the UK's points-based system for immigration.

The information in this section is based on paragraphs 245ZI to 245ZL in Part 6A of the Immigration Rules, which you can find on the right side of this page.

The youth mobility scheme is for young people from participating countries and territories who want to come and experience life in the UK. Every year, the UK government allocates a number of places on the scheme for each country and territory.

The countries and territories participating in the scheme, and the number of places or certificates of sponsorship allocated to them for 2013, are:

  • Australia - 35,000 places
  • Canada - 5,500 places
  • Japan - 1,000 places
  • Monaco - 1,000 places
  • New Zealand - 10,000 places
  • Republic of Korea - 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)
  • Taiwan - 1,000 places (certificates of sponsorship)

If you are a citizen or passport-holder of a country or territory listed above, and that country or territory has not used all its places for this year, you might be able to come to the UK under the youth mobility scheme. Your national government will be your 'sponsor' during your stay.

You can also apply under the scheme if you are a British overseas citizen, a British overseas territories citizen or a British national (overseas). You will not need a sponsor, and there is no limit on the number of places on the scheme.

If you come to the UK under Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) you will be free to do whatever work you like whilst you are here, but you must leave the UK at the end of your stay. You should not view this as a route for establishing a long-term career in the UK because after you have left, there is no guarantee that you will be able to return straight away as a Tier 2 or Tier 5 migrant, to work for the same employer in the same job.

You can study whilst you are here, but this should not be the main purpose of your stay in the UK

To find out whether you can apply, see the Can you apply? section.