2025 Youth Mobility Scheme second ballot opens 15 July
The Home Office has announced that the second ballot for the 2025 Youth Mobility Scheme will open on Tuesday 15 July and close on Thursday 17 July.
Ballots typically open twice a year, in February and July. Most applicants are usually chosen during the February ballot and the remaining places are allocated in July.
The Youth Mobility Scheme is a reciprocal cultural exchange programme which grants young people aged 18 to 30 (or 18 to 35 in some cases) from participating countries the opportunity to experience life in the UK for up to 2 years.
With a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you can live in the UK and study, work in most jobs or be self-employed during the visa’s 24-month validity period.
The Youth Mobility Scheme ballot system
Citizens of certain countries are required to enter a ballot before they can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. Each country will have a set number of ballot places available to its citizens. Selection via the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot is necessary (before you can apply for your visa) if you’re from:
- Hong Kong, if you have a SAR passport
- Taiwan
As of this year, you no longer need to enter the ballot if you’re a Japanese or South Korean national. Nationals of these two countries can apply at any time.
You also do not need to enter the ballot if you are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or a British National (Overseas).
Note: There is a different ballot if you’re from India and wish to apply under the India Young Professionals Scheme.
Eligibility requirements
You must be aged 18 or over when your visa starts, or 30 or under when you apply. You can apply before you turn 18 and can be over 30 when the visa starts.
The rules state, you will not be eligible for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if:
- You have children under the age of 18 who live with you
- You have children you are financially responsible for
- You have already been in the UK under the scheme.
In terms of funds, you must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.
How to enter the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot
Potential applicants must enter the ballot by sending an email. Strictly only one ballot entry can be submitted per person and duplications are not counted. All emails received within the 48-hour period are entered into the ballot and applicants receive an automated reply confirming entry.
The email addresses for each country are listed below:
Hong Kong:
Email hongkong.YMS@homeoffice.gov.uk between 00:01am on Tuesday 15 July 2025 and 00.01am on Thursday 17 July 2025 (Hong Kong time) to enter the ballot.
Taiwan:
Email Taiwan.YMS@homeoffice.gov.uk between 00:01am on Tuesday 15 July 2025 and 00.01am on Thursday 17 July 2025 (Taipei time) to enter the ballot.
After you have entered
If you have been successful in the second ballot, you will receive an email by Friday 1 August . You will then have 90 days to submit your application, pay the visa fee and provide biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). You should get a decision on your visa within three weeks of attending your biometrics appointment.
If you are unsuccessful in the second ballot, you will receive an email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.
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