UK Working Holiday Visa

UK Youth Mobility Scheme (Working Holiday Visa) – Updated 2025-2026

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS), commonly known as the UK Working Holiday Visa, allows young people aged 18 to 30 from participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Visa Fees and Costs (2025-2026)

  • Application fee: GBP 298
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): GBP 1,035 per year (GBP 2,070 total for 2 years)
  • Total cost: Approximately GBP 2,368

Key Requirements

  • Be aged 18-30 at the time of application (18-35 for some countries)
  • Have savings of at least GBP 2,530
  • Not have children who live with you or who you are financially responsible for
  • Not have previously been on the Youth Mobility Scheme

Eligible Countries and Territories (2025-2026)

The list of eligible countries has been significantly expanded:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Japan
  • Monaco
  • Taiwan
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Iceland
  • Andorra
  • Uruguay
  • San Marino

Note: The number of places available varies by country. Applications are typically through a ballot system for some nationalities. Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand citizens can apply directly without entering a ballot.

To obtain the UK Working Holiday Visa, you must:

  • Be aged between 18 to 30
  • have a passport one of the eligible countries
  • not have any dependent children
  • not have held a UK Working Holiday Visa or Youth Mobility Visa before
  • declare any criminal convictions
  • not set up your own business or provide services as a professional sportsperson or a doctor in training while in the UK
  • Not have any accompanying family member or dependent. Although spouses/partners of UK Youth Mobility Scheme applicants can United Kingdom as dependants only if they qualify and obtain the YMS visa, or a different visa
  • Travellers on a UK Youth Mobility Scheme can holiday in the UK for 24 months in any job.
  • You can visit and leave the country as many times as you like.
  • You are also permitted to engage in privately funded studies and voluntary work.
  • There are many working holidaymakers who remain in the UK on an UK work permit, on the basis of marriage, as an unmarried partner, as a student, etc.

GOVERNMENT CHARGES
Notes
Youth Mobility Scheme (Working Holiday) Application Fee
GBP 298
This fee includes the visa applicant only
OTHER COSTS (If Applicable)
Notes
Medical Examination
Variable(Depending upon the type of Medical Test and Examination required)
This fee is payable for the application and must be paid directly to the doctor conducting your examination.
Character Clearance (Police Check)
Variable
This fee is payable to the police authorities in the countries where you have lived for 12 months or more.
Certification/Translation of documents
Variable
Payable to the Translator
OUR FEE IN AUD
Notes
Working Holiday Australia
AU$650