These schemes let young people from specific countries live and work in the UK for up to two years. Which scheme is open to you depends on your nationality.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- Youth Mobility Scheme: you must be aged 18 to 30, or 18 to 35 depending on where you are from, hold certain types of British nationality or be a citizen of a listed country or territory, and show personal savings. GOV.UK refers to a separate eligibility page for the list of countries.
- The Youth Mobility Scheme lets you live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. Most jobs are allowed, as are study and self-employment, subject to conditions. Professional sportspeople, including coaches, cannot work under this visa.
- Only nationals of Australia, Canada and New Zealand can extend the Youth Mobility visa, by one further year.
- India Young Professionals Scheme: for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with an eligible qualification and the required savings, selected in the scheme ballot. Successful applicants receive an email invitation and have 90 days to apply.
- The India Young Professionals visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months, and you must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.
- For both schemes, family members cannot be included on your application and must apply separately.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether your nationality is on the list for the Youth Mobility Scheme, and your age.
- For the India scheme, whether you have been selected in the ballot and the 90-day application window.
- Whether you or your partner need a different route if you plan to stay together.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.