Youth Mobility Scheme

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme sub-route?


The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is one of the main sub-routes for the Temporary Work route. This sub-route enables migrants from specific countries aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

Key features

  • Work: with certain limitations, YMS migrants may be employed, self-employed or study in the UK.
  • Dependants: individuals in this route may not bring dependants.
  • Settlement: the scheme does not lead to settlement in the UK, but time spent under the sub-route can count towards ten years lawful residence in the UK for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) purposes.

How we can help


Our UK Team is experienced at handling a wide spectrum of YMS matters ranging from straightforward cases to those with issues relating to previous refusals and unspent criminal convictions. We carefully guide clients through the application process to ensure as smooth and expeditious an experience as possible.

Our legal fees


Fixed fees
We work on a fixed fee basis. Our fees for individual YMS applications typically range between £4,500 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements depending upon the issues, urgencies and complexities involved.

Disbursements
You can expect the main disbursements to include:

  • Home Office filing fees (click here for the government’s visa/entry clearance fee calculator and here for a list of all Home Office fees);
  • Immigration Health Surcharge fees, if applicable;
  • Optional premium service fees for in-country and out-of-country applications; and
  • other ancillary disbursements such as UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) fees, biometric enrolment, translations, courier and postage charges, etc.

Latest Insights


US immigration update – Proposed dual citizenship legislation

Recent proposals in the United States Congress have sparked attention around dual nationality, but at this stage nothing has changed in the law that…

Christi Jackson quoted in The Financial Times on increasing US visa restrictions

Christi Hufford Jackson has been quoted in the Financial Times in an article titled 'US embassy in London denies visas to executives over minor…

FY 2027 H-1B registration: Major policy changes and how to prepare

It is time to begin preparing for the upcoming FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration period. While the H 1B program remains an important pathway for…

Laura Devine Solicitors Limited trading as Laura Devine Immigration is registered in England and Wales as a limited company (8651204) at 100 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6EU. Partner is a term used by us to describe a director in the limited company. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (648320).

Privacy Preference Center