UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Second Ballot – July 2023

The UK government has invited applicants from Hong Kong (with SAR passports), Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa. 

The ballot will open from Monday 24 July 2023 to Wednesday 26 July 2023. Those wishing to apply will need to register their interest by entering the ballot during this period and on Monday 31 July 2023, a select number of successful individuals will be invited to apply for the scheme. 

Those invited will have 30 days to prepare and submit their applications, including paying the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee.

Successful applicants will have permission to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• be a citizen of either Hong Kong (with an SAR passport), Japan, South Korea or Taiwan;
• be between 18 – 30 years old;
• have at least £2,530 in savings and no children under the age of 18 whom they live with or are financially responsible for

How to enter the ballot

Individuals will need to send an email to a specific email address, depending on their country of nationality:

• Entries by Hong Kong citizens: hongkong.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk 
• Entries by Japanese citizens: Japan.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk 
• Entries by South Korean citizens: southkorea.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk 
• Entries by Taiwanese citizens: Taiwan.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk 

The email must be in English and the subject line must include the applicant's: 

• Name;
• Date of birth; and
• Passport number

These must be written in the format: Last name, First name – DD/MM/YYYY – passport number.

The body of the email must include the applicant's:

• Name;
• Date of birth;
• Passport number; and
• Mobile number

All emails drafted correctly will be entered into the ballot. Incorrectly drafted emails will not be considered.

If you are successful in the ballot

Successful applicants will receive an email by Monday 31 July, giving them 30 days to prepare and submit their applications and pay the visa fee and IHS fee. Applicants will then have 90 days to book their appointment at their local visa application centre where they will enrol their biometrics. Decisions are likely to be given within 3 weeks of attending their appointment, subject to unforeseen government delays. Applicants will then have 90 days to enter the UK.

If you are unsuccessful in the ballot

Unsuccessful applicants will have no right of appeal. However, applicants will be eligible to enter future ballots. 

For further information as to how we can help please contact Ella Taylor-Fagan, or your usual Withers contact, call +44 20 7597 6364 or email enquiries.uk@withersworldwide.com.