UK Youth Mobility Scheme Global Quotas & Ballot Guide 2026
2026 master guide to Youth Mobility Scheme quotas and eligibility: all participating countries, exact annual allocations, direct applications versus Hong Kong/Taiwan ballots, India Young Professionals Scheme distinction, age bands, financial requirements and third-year extensions.
1. Executive Summary & Global Quotas
The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) provides cultural exchange work visas for young citizens of partner countries. Home Office country quotas determine annual place allocations.
2. Global Country Quota & Age Limit Comparison Matrix
The table below compares YMS parameters across participating nations:
| Participating Country | Annual Quota Allocation | Age Bracket | Ballot Required? | Max Stay Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 38,500 places | 18 to 35 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 years + possible 1-year extension |
| Canada | 10,000 places | 18 to 35 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 years + possible 1-year extension |
| New Zealand | 8,000 places | 18 to 35 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 years + possible 1-year extension |
| Republic of Korea | 5,000 places | 18 to 35 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| Japan | 6,000 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| Hong Kong | 1,000 places | 18 to 30 | YES — YMS Ballot | 2 Years |
| Taiwan | 1,000 places | 18 to 30 | YES — YMS Ballot | 2 Years |
| Andorra | 100 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| Iceland | 1,000 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| Monaco | 1,000 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| San Marino | 1,000 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| Uruguay | 500 places | 18 to 30 | NO — Direct Apply | 2 Years |
| India (YPS — separate scheme) | 3,000 places | 18 to 30 | YES — Separate YPS Ballot | 2 Years |
3. How the Free YMS Ballot System Works
In 2026, Youth Mobility Scheme ballots applied to Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, not Japan or South Korea. The first ballot was held in February and the second in July; each ballot was open for 48 hours. All 2026 YMS ballots have now closed, and future dates are published on the official ballot page. India has a separate India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
4. Financial Savings & Maintenance Rules
For YMS entry clearance, applicants normally need at least £2,530 in personal savings, with the funds held for 28 consecutive days and day 28 falling within 31 days of the application. The financial requirement does not apply in the same way to an in-country YMS extension.
5. Initial Grant vs Third-Year Extension
The normal YMS grant is up to 2 years for all participating nationalities. Australian, Canadian and New Zealand nationals can extend once from inside the UK for a further year, producing a total YMS period of 3 years. The extension requires the applicant to be living in the UK and still hold valid YMS permission.
6. Ballot Countries vs Direct-Application Countries
For the 2026 YMS, only Hong Kong SAR passport holders and Taiwanese applicants needed to enter the YMS ballot. Japanese and South Korean nationals can apply directly. India is handled separately under the India Young Professionals Scheme, which has its own ballot and eligibility requirements. Ballot windows and place allocations can change each year and should be checked on the official GOV.UK ballot page.
7. Work, Self-Employment and Prohibited Activities
YMS holders can work in most jobs and can be self-employed or establish a company, but self-employment is subject to specific restrictions: the business premises must be rented, equipment must not be worth more than £5,000 and the business must not employ other people. Professional sportsperson or sports-coach work is prohibited.
8. Dependants and Children Born in the UK
Partners and children cannot be added as dependants to the YMS application. However, a child born in the UK during the YMS stay can make a separate dependant application where the relevant requirements are met. A YMS holder does not automatically make a child British by virtue of the child's birth in the UK.
9. Switching to Settlement Routes
YMS is not a settlement route. A YMS holder may be able to switch to Skilled Worker or another eligible route that leads to settlement, subject to the switching rules and the new route's requirements. YMS residence can potentially contribute to the 10-year Long Residence route if all continuous-residence and other requirements are met.
10. 2026 Ballot Status and Future Years
All 2026 YMS ballots have now closed. The 2026 YMS ballot for Hong Kong and Taiwan had first and second rounds in February and July, while the India Young Professionals Scheme held separate February and July ballots. Future ballot dates and quota allocations are published by the Home Office and should not be assumed from previous years.
Essential Summary & 2026 Checklist
- Australia, Canada and New Zealand have 18-to-35 eligibility and can extend their initial 2-year YMS grant by one additional year, for a total of 3 years.
- Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan require the YMS ballot in 2026. Japan and South Korea apply directly, while Indian nationals use the separate India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
- Maintenance savings requirement is £2,530 held for 28 days.
- YMS allows work in most jobs and some self-employment/business activity, subject to the route restrictions; professional sportsperson work is prohibited.
- YMS holders may be able to switch in-country to Skilled Worker where they satisfy the Skilled Worker switching requirements and all other eligibility rules.
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