1. Executive Summary & Expanded Canadian YMS Rules
Canadian citizens can use the UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) to live, work and study in the UK. Canadians in the 18 to 35 age group can receive up to 2 years of initial permission and can extend once from inside the UK for a further year, giving up to 3 years in total.
2. Canadian YMS Statutory Requirements Matrix
The table below details YMS eligibility rules for Canadian citizens:
| YMS Visa Requirement | Canadian Citizen Statutory Condition |
|---|---|
| Eligible Age Limit | 18 to 35 years; must be 35 or under on the application date |
| Total Duration of Stay | Up to 3 years (up to 2 years initial permission + one possible 1-year extension) |
| Savings Requirement | £2,530 held in personal bank account for 28 consecutive days |
| Application Fees | £340 application fee + £776/year Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Dependants Rule | For the initial application, the applicant must not have children under 18 living with them or financially dependent on them; this financial eligibility condition does not apply to an in-country YMS extension |
3. Year 3 Extension Process from Inside the UK
Canadian YMS holders can apply online from inside the UK for a one-year extension. They must be living in the UK and hold valid YMS permission, and the application should be made no more than 28 days before the current visa expires. The extension can only be granted once.
4. Switching to Sponsored Work & Long Residence ILR
YMS is not itself a settlement route. Lawful residence on YMS can potentially contribute to the separate 10-year Long Residence route, subject to that route's requirements. A YMS holder may also be able to switch in the UK to another eligible route, such as Skilled Worker, where the destination route's switching requirements are met.
Essential Summary & 2026 Checklist
- Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35 can live and work in the UK for up to 3 years.
- No ballot is required for Canadian applicants.
- Required savings: £2,530 held for 28 consecutive days.
- Permits work in most jobs and study, but professional sport is prohibited and self-employment is allowed only within the specific YMS conditions.
- An in-country switch to Skilled Worker may be possible where the applicant satisfies the Skilled Worker route and its switching requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
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