The Home Office have announced that it’s Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is now open to 18-30 year olds from a number of Countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Iceland. The Visa is also available to applicants from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan but this is through a ballot system and the first ballot took place on 17th January 2023. Provided candidates hold at least £2,530.00 in savings and are aged between 18-30 at the time they apply for the visa then, they will have the ability to stay in the UK for up to 2 years and the Visa will allow candidates to study and work.
A significant benefit to UK businesses is that they will be able to employ Youth Mobility Scheme Visa holders without being in possession of a Home Office Sponsor Licence which would ordinarily be required if they were looking to employ skilled workers. Many consider that this Visa will be welcomed by businesses as they will be able to employ workers without having to meet the specific skills and salary thresholds which are required by the Home Offices Skilled Worker Visa regime.
There are a few prohibitions on such Visa holders including that they must not take part in any work as a professional sport person and subject to limited exemptions, they also cannot be self-employed.
The Home Office stance is that the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa is really designed for young people to take part in a ‘cultural exchange’ and have the benefit of experiencing life in the UK for a period of up to 2 years. Whilst the Visa itself does not lead to permanent residency, it is quite possible that the Visa holder will be able to switch into the Skilled Worker category from within the UK provided all of the rules and regulations are met and they will then be on a track towards settlement.
For advice on this or any other immigration issues, please don’t hesitate to contact Sohan Sidhu by email at sohan.sidhu@ellisonssolicitors.com or by telephone on 01284763333
