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
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan

You 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

Ballots typically open in January and July each year.

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

Make sure you meet all eligibility requirements for the visa before entering the ballot.

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.

Most applicants are usually chosen during the January ballot and the remaining places are allocated in the July ballot.

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 hongkong.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk between 23:59 (11:59pm) on Monday 24 July 2023 and 23:59 (11:59pm) on Wednesday 26 July 2023 (Hong Kong time) to enter the ballot.

Japan

Email Japan.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk between 23:59 (11:59pm) on Monday 24 July 2023 and 23:59 (11:59pm) on Wednesday 26 July 2023 (Tokyo time) to enter the ballot.

South Korea

Email southkorea.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk between 23:59 (11:59pm) on Monday 24 July 2023 and 23:59 (11:59pm) on Wednesday 26 July 2023 (Seoul time) to enter the ballot.

Taiwan

Email Taiwan.YMS2023@fcdo.gov.uk between 23:59 (11:59pm) on Monday 24 July 2023 and 23:59 (11:59pm) on Wednesday 26 July 2023 (Taipei time) to enter the ballot.

If you’re successful in the ballot

You will havereceive received an email by theMonday end31 ofJuly Friday 20 January if youyou’re were successful in the firstsecond ballot.

You then have 30 days to submit your application and pay the visa fee.

After you’ve paid, you’ll usually have 90 days to book your appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). This is where you will provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information).

Check with your local visa application centre if there are restrictions because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

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 youyou’re were unsuccessful in the firstsecond ballot, you will havereceive received an email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.

You’ll be able to enter thenext secondyear’s ballot when it opens in JulyJanuary 2023,2024, if you meet the eligibility requirements.