Youth Mobility visa: Top 10 application mistakes to avoid

The Youth Mobility visa is one of the UK's most popular visas as it allows young people (aged 18-30/35) to come and live and work/study in the UK for 2/3 years. Eligible countries for the Youth Mobility visa include: 

🇦🇺 Australia

🇨🇦 Canada

🇭🇰 Hong Kong

🇮🇸 Iceland

🇯🇵 Japan

🇲🇨 Monaco

🇳🇿 New Zealand

🇰🇷 Republic of Korea

🇸🇲 San Marino

🇹🇼 Taiwan

Despite its popularity, this visa has multiple hoops applicants need to jump through, making the application process more intricate and time-consuming. However, successfully navigating these requirements and avoiding common mistakes opens the door to incredible opportunities living, work, and exploring the vibrant culture of the UK.

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What are the most common mistakes when applying for the Youth Mobility visa? 

1. Not arriving within the stated arrival window 🛬

Whether entering on a visa or as a tourist, to enter the UK, your passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months. If you apply for a visa using a passport that does not meet this requirement, your visa application will be rejected. It's best to renew your passport before starting the visa application process if your passport is due to expire soon.

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2. Not showing sufficient funds for 28 days 💸

When submitting an application for a UK visa, you need to provide evidence of sufficient funds to sustain yourself throughout your stay in the country. This requirement ensures that you will not rely on public funds or place a financial burden on the UK government.

The 28-day period serves to verify the authenticity of the funds you present in your bank account, confirming that they are genuinely accessible to you and not just a temporary deposit made for the purpose of meeting visa requirements. This means, depositing a substantial sum of money shortly before applying for the visa will not work, as it does not demonstrate a consistent source of funds over a significant period.

You also can't withdraw funds causing the amount to go below the required amount even once during the 28 day window or your application will be denied.

Read more about showing sufficient funds for 28 days.

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3. Passports expiring during application 🥵

Whether entering the UK as a visa holder (soon to be resident) or as a tourist, to enter the country, your passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months. If you apply for a visa using a passport that does not meet this requirement, your visa application will be rejected. If your passport is set to expire within the next 6-12 months, it's best to renew your passport before starting your visa application.

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4. Applying for a new passport during application ✍️

If you decide to apply for a new passport after submitting a visa application or obtaining a successful visa, it's crucial to keep your old passport with you at all times since that's where your visa is held. However, not everyone may be aware of this arrangement and it may cause issues with UK employers, UK government agencies and UK customs. Save yourself multiple headaches and apply for a new passport before starting your visa application.

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5. Missing the biometrics appointment 🗓

The UK Visa & Immigration department has entrusted the administration of Biometrics Testing Centres to a third-party commercial entity called VFS Global, which unfortunately means additional charges for various services. It's important not to miss your Biometrics appointment as it may result in additional fees and your visa application being denied.

6. Choosing a start date before your travel 📆

It's important to be aware of the specific application window for your UK visa and how it will impact your pre-life-in-London travel plans. The Youth Mobility visa currently allows applications to be submitted up to 6 months in advance. However, if you have plans to travel abroad within that timeframe, it's crucial to consider it when determining your application window. Keep in mind that as part of the application process, you will need to send your passport away, so timing and planning are key.

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7. Not collecting the BRP within the 10-day window 📮

You will need to collect your BRP shortly after your arrival in the UK. This needs to be done before the vignette sticker in your travel document expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later. As part of your visa application approval, you will receive a letter indicating the date when you can collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit). Typically, this date falls a few days after your arrival, although there may be instances where the BRP is available earlier.

Read more about UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Post Office collection.

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8. Not using a UK address near your initial accommodation 📍

As part of your Youth Mobility visa application process you will need to list a UK address for where you are staying. This is so that your BRP can be sent to a Post Office nearby for collection, which you will need to do within a specified timeframe. This means if you have family living in Belfast, Northern Ireland and use their address on the application, your BRP will be sent to Northern Ireland.

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9. Not paying for the full years of NHS surcharge 🏥

Even if you only plan on living and working in the UK for 1 year of the 2/3 year Youth Mobility visa, you must pay for the NHS surcharge to cover each year of the visa. Without paying the full amount, your visa application will be rejected and considered incomplete.

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10. Applying for the Youth Mobility visa using a work email address 📧

Simply put, avoid using your work email address during your application. The reason being is you will likely leave your job in your home country and as a result, will lose access to your email.

Additionally this will become a struggle when you go to access the NHS or register for a GP. The IHS number will be sent to you via email and without access to it, you won't be able to use NHS services which you have spent a lot of money on already.