Recently Updated: September 20th 2023. This is a live news article which will be continually updated as new information become available regarding recent updated made to the YMS Visa by IEC and UK Immigration.
On July 14th the UK Youth Mobility Visa was updated, announcing some significant changes to the visa scheme and its eligibility criteria. The UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa has been a popular choice for young Canadians looking to live, work, and explore in the UK. These updates to the YMS Visa will create more opportunities for Canadian youths to live and work in the UK. These updates will be effective from the beginning of 2024 and provide amazing new opportunities for certain Canadians previously ineligible for the scheme!
One of the most notable changes is the expansion of the age limit. Previously, the YMS Visa was available to Canadian applicants between the ages of 18 and 30. However, the new policy now allows individuals up to the age of 35 to apply. This extension opens doors for a broader range of young Canadians who might have put their dreams of living in the UK on hold due to the previous age restrictions.
The UK Youth Mobility Visa Update means the YMS Visa’s duration has been extended. Previously set at two years, the new scheme allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to three years. This extended timeframe gives young Canadians the chance to immerse themselves more deeply in the British way of life, explore diverse cities, and build meaningful connections in both personal and professional spheres.
These changes will not come into effect until 2024 so Canadians looking to enter into the new agreement will have to wait until January 1st.
Recently, the UK government released an update confirming that existing Canadian YMS participants will be able to extend their visas by one year as of the 31st of January 2024.Â