UK Lottery visa 2025:The UK Government today announced February dates for the first ballot for the 2025 Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS). The YMS is a reciprocal cultural exchange agreement that the UK has with several countries which allows young people from eligible countries to live and work in the UK without the need for sponsorship for up to two years (for most countries, though some schemes are up to three years and up to the age of 35 now), and in turn, for young Brits to try life in the participating countries.
Most participating nationalities no longer require a ballot to enter the scheme (see below), but for those that still do this is the first ballot of the year.The scheme is oversubscribed from some participating nationalities, though most no longer need a ballot. Japanese and South Korean nationals last year were added to the list of national who need no longer enter a ballot to apply for the cultural exchange scheme. Since January 2024 they may apply at any time on the YMS website like most countries on the scheme.
UK Youth Mobility Visa
Travelling to another country and spending a considerable amount of time during your youth can help you with cultural experiences, work experience, exploring the country, personal development at several levels and much more. For individuals aspiring to travel to the UK, there is a much easier way now, thanks to the UK youth mobility visa. Here is everything that you need to know about it.
UK Youth Mobility Visa is a mobility scheme that allows youth from a list of countries to visit the United Kingdom and stay for a while. The mobility scheme is aimed at individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 years and get work exposure, cultural exposure and explore the UK as a whole. Youth can use this opportunity to even travel to the UK and its stunning countryside.
Eligibility Youth Mobility Visa UK
To get your hands on a UK youth mobility visa, you will need to meet the following criteria.
1. You must be above 18 and below 30 years of age while applying for the visa.
2. You should not have any children or dependents who live with you or intend to travel to the UK.
3. Individuals who have already availed of the scheme, cannot apply again.
4. The visa is currently limited to the nationals of Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. Though India is not yet included in the youth mobility visa UK, India will be a part of it soon.
5. Lastly, the youth need to prove that they have adequate funds to suffice them during their stay. The minimum requirement for the same is £2,530.
Indian Citizens and UK Youth Mobility Visa
At present Indian youth cannot apply for the UK youth mobility visa, as the scheme is not yet available for Indians. However, it must be noted that the government of the UK is working on extending this system to a few more countries apart from Australia, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. When the scheme is introduced, the youth of India can benefit from the same.
Currently, there are only two ways for Indians to travel to the UK under this scheme. They either need to have dual nationality for any one of the countries mentioned above, for whom the scheme is available. Alternatively, they should fall into any other country, where they are eligible to participate under the youth mobility visa scheme.
When the scheme is eventually available for Indians, the youth will be subject to the same eligibility criteria before they are issued the visa. This will allow youth to explore the UK and its various cities and terrains.
Documents and fees for uk lottery visa 2025
Here are all the documents that you will need to submit to get your hands on the youth mobility visa UK.
1. The applicant must have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months.
2. The applicant must submit proof of having a minimum of £2,530 in their funds. It can either be in their savings account or investments.
3. The applicant must fill out the application form online for youth mobility visa UK.
4. Once the application process is complete, you will need to schedule an appointment to provide your biometrics and photograph for the visa.
5. You will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge. Britain’s Home Office levies the charge to provide applicants access to NHS in the United Kingdom.
How much does the Youth Mobility Scheme cost?
The application fee for a Youth Mobility visa (or Young Professionals Scheme visa) is £298. An Immigration Health Charge to cover healthcare by the National Health Service must also be paid with the visa application. This costs £776 per year of staying in the UK under the visa.
How to apply to the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot
You can find more details about the India Young Professionals Scheme and how to enter here.
For Taiwan and Hong Kong the majority of applicants tend to be chosen in the first ballot of the year and the remaining places allocated in a ballot usually in July. Unsuccessful applicants can apply again if they still meet the eligibility requirements.
To enter, if you meet the eligibility requirements (see below), send one email during the 48 hour ballot to the relevant address below. You will get an automated reply confirming your entry.
All emails must be in English.
The subject line of the email must include applicants’ name, date of birth and passport number in the format: Last name First name – DD/MM/YYYY – passport number. (EG: Smith Jane – 31/03/1999 – 123456789)
The body of the email must include your
- name
- date of birth
- passport number
- mobile phone number
Successful applicants will be notified by Tuesday 11 February 2025. Unsuccessful ballot entrants will be notified within two weeks.