Youth Mobility Scheme visa: ballot system

Who needs to enter

You need to enter the ballot if you want to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa and you’re from:

• Hong Kong, if you have an SAR passport
• Taiwan

You no longer need to enter the ballot if you’re a Japanese or South Korean national. You can apply at any time on our website.

You also do not need to enter the ballot if you’re a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas).

How to enter

The first ballot will open in February 2025, with a second ballot expected in the summer.

You enter the ballot by sending an email. Only one ballot entry can be submitted per person. Any duplications will not be counted.

Ballots will be open for 48 hours. All emails we receive within this 48 hour period will be entered into the ballot. You will get an automated reply confirming your entry.

For the Youth Mobility Scheme visa in 2024,2025, there wereare 1,000 places available for nationals of Hong Kong and 1,000 places available for nationals of Taiwan. Most places wereare allocated during the JanuaryFebruary ballot.ballot, Thewhile the remaining places werewill be allocated in the July ballot.summer.

Writing your email

Your email must be in English.

The subject line of the email must include your:

• name
• date of birth
• passport number

Write these in the format: Lastname Firstname – DD/MM/YYYY – passport number.

The body of the email must include your:

• name
• date of birth
• passport number
• mobile phone number

Emails received without this information or not in this format will not be considered.

Hong Kong

Email HongKongYMS@homeoffice.gov.uk between 12:01am (one minute past midnight) on Tuesday 4 February 2025 and 12:01am on Thursday 6 February 2025 (Hong Kong time) to enter the ballot.

Taiwan

Email TaiwanYMS@homeoffice.gov.uk between 12:01am (one minute past midnight) on Tuesday 4 February 2025 and 12:01am on Thursday 6 February 2025 (Taipei time) to enter the ballot.

If you’re successful in the ballot

You will have received an email by Tuesday 11 February 2025 if you are successful in the second ballot.

You then have 90 days to submit your application, pay the visa fee and provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks of attending your appointment. Check the guidance on decision waiting times to find out how long visa decisions are currently taking.

If your visa application is successful, you will have 90 days to enter the UK. Your visa will be valid for 2 years.

If you cannot travel to the UK within 90 days, you’ll need to apply for an extension. You will not need to reapply for the visa. The expiry date of your visa will not change, including if your arrival in the UK has been delayed by coronavirus.

You may be able to get your visa faster, depending on what country you’re in. Check with your VAC.

If you’re unsuccessful in the ballot

If you are unsuccessful in the ballot, you will receive an email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.

The results of the ballot are final. You cannot appeal if you’re unsuccessful.

You can enter future ballots if you’re unsuccessful, if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.