• What is the Points Based System?
• When did it start?
• Which countries are participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme?
• Do I need a sponsor?
• Do I need a Certificate of Sponsorship?
• How do I apply for a visa?
• What do I need to make my application?
• What are my biometric details?
• What are Visa Application Centres (VACs)?
• How are the points calculated?
• What supporting documents should I include with my application?
• Are there any other restrictions, either for entry or on the type of work I can do?
• How long will I be able to stay in the UK?
• Can I extend my stay or switch into another leave category?
• Can I appeal if my application is refused?
• What is Administrative Review?
• Can my dependants join me in the UK?
• Can I claim for medical treatment during my stay?
• What are public funds?
• Check your visa
• More advice and information

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See other guidance information Adopted children (INF 7) Appeals (INF 19) Au pairs (INF 16) EEA & Swiss nationals (INF 18) Family members (INF 6) General information (INF 1) Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4) Investors Overseas domestic workers (INF 17) Permit free employment (INF 14) Points Based System Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) (INF 24) Points Based System Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) (INF 25) Points Based System Tier 1, General Migrant (INF 21) Points Based System Tier 1, Investor (INF 23) Points Based System Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) (INF 26) Points Based System Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) (INF 27) Points-Based System Tier 1, General, Dependant (INF 22) Returning residents (INF 8) Right of abode (INF 12) Setting up in business (INF 10) Sponsors (INF 3) Students (INF 5) Transit (INF 20) UK Ancestry (INF 9) Visitors (INF 2) Work permit holders Working holidaymakers (INF 15)  

What is the Points Based System?

The Points Based System (PBS) is a new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work or study.

 

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When did it start?

Tier 1 (General) Migrant of the Points Based System was launched for foreign nationals living in the UK on 29 February 2008 and replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). On 30 June 2008 the programme was extended to include applicants resident overseas. Three further sub-tiers of Tier 1 were also rolled out for applicants either in the UK or overseas. These were Investor, Entrepreneur and Post-Study Work. Tier 2 for Skilled Workers and Tier 5 for Temporary Workers and the Youth Mobility Scheme were launched worldwide on 27 November 2008. See the companion leaflets in this series for Temporary Worker, Skilled worker and other PBS routes. Tier 4 (Student) is due to be phased in throughout 2009.

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Which countries are participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme?

So far, only Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand (countries listed in Appendix G to the Immigration Rules) have joined the YMS. However, you are also eligible to apply if you are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or a British National (Overseas).

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Do I need a sponsor?

Yes. Applicants under Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) need a sponsor.  The sponsor is your national government.  There will be an annual allocation of places on the Youth Mobility Scheme for each of the individual participating countries listed in Appendix G of the Immigration Rules.  Visa applications from Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand will be accepted for consideration up to the point that their country’s annual Youth Mobility Scheme allocation for that year has been filled.  All YMS entry clearance applications from British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) will be accepted for consideration.

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Do I need a Certificate of Sponsorship?

No.  There are no nationals at the present time who require a Certificate of Sponsorship under the Youth Mobility Scheme.  The UK Border Agency will announce which nationals do need a Certificate of Sponsorship as and when their countries become participating members of the Youth Mobility Scheme, and how these can be obtained.

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How do I apply for a visa?

First access the Self Assessment Points Calculator in order to see whether you have enough points to make a successful application. The tool will enable you to understand how you can score points and what documentary evidence you require.  If you decide to make an application, you should complete application form VAF9 with your personal details.  Depending on which country you are making your application from, you may be able to complete this on-line.  You will also need to complete Appendix 7 using the points scoring information obtained from the Self-Assessment Points Calculator. This is only available as a PDF document and must be completed manually and sent in with your supporting documents. Check our visa application centres overseas page to see if you need to apply through a visa application centre (VAC) or the British mission in your country. 

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What do I need to make my application?

• Your passport or travel document;
• The application forms VAF9 and Appendix 7 with all mandatory sections completed;
• The fee as published on our visa fees webpage. This cannot be refunded and you must pay in local currency;
• Your biometric details (see below);
• A recent passport sized photograph (if the application is successful, the photographs provided will be reproduced on the visa vignette)
  (please note - photographs should measure 45mm x 35mm and be:
  • in colour taken against a white background;
  • clear and of good quality and not framed or backed;
  • printed on normal photographic paper;
  • full face and without sunglasses, hat or head covering (unless it is worn for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered)
• All documents as specified in the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Guidance as stated in the Immigration Rules.  If you do not submit relevant documents, your application is likely to be refused as we will be unable to award the relevant points.

Important!
You must be able to demonstrate that you have funds to support yourself of not less than £1600.  You must provide documentary evidence to support this dated no earlier than one month before you apply for your visa.

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What are my biometric details?

Biometric details are scans of all 10 fingers and a full-face digital photograph. You will need to provide your biometric details in person. The whole procedure should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Your visa application will not be processed until you have met this requirement. More information about biometrics is available on the Biometric data collection for visa applicants page on this website.

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What are Visa Application Centres (VACs)?

In some countries we are working with commercial companies to run Visa Application Centres. The VACs are in largely populated areas making it easier and more convenient for people to apply for a UK visa. Trained staff at each VAC deals with all visa enquiries and applications. They collect your biometric information along with the relevant fees and provide unbiased advice on the application process, including whether or not you have included all the necessary documents. Entry clearance staff at the British mission will then consider your application and decide whether to issue or refuse your visa. VAC staff will have no say in this decision.

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How are the points calculated?

Entry Clearance Officers will only award points for the sections for which you have indicated that you wish to claim, and for which you have supplied the required supporting evidence. 

Attributes

Points are awarded for what are called ‘Attributes’ for which you must score 40 points. 30 points are available for holding a passport describing you as either a citizen/national of Australia, Canada, Japan or New Zealand or for holding a passport describing you as a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas).  You will also score 10 points if you will be 18 years of age or over when your entry clearance becomes valid for use, and you must be under 31 years of age on the date of application.  

You must score a total of 40 points for these two criteria which are stipulated requirements in Appendix A of the Immigration Rules. 

Maintenance (Funds)

In addition 10 points are awarded for the availability of £1600 for maintenance (funds) (Appendix C of the Immigration Rules). 

An applicant coming to the United Kingdom under the Youth Mobility Scheme must be able to support himself/herself for the entire duration of their stay in the United Kingdom without use of public funds (that is, benefits provided by the state). An applicant who is unable to support himself/herself could face financial hardship because they will not have access to most state benefits. 

Even if you have attained the pass mark of 40 for ‘Attributes’, your application will be refused if you do not pass this requirement.

Remember! Your application will fail unless you score both the 40 and the 10 points.

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What supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include originals of all documents specified and also a copy of each document. Where a document is not in English or Welsh, the original must be accompanied by a fully certified translation by a professional translator.  This translation must include details of the translator’s credentials and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document.  It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator.  If you do not provide the specified documents, we will not contact you to ask for them.  Therefore, if you fail to send the correct documents we may refuse the application.

Attributes

Each applicant must produce a valid passport which confirms they are a national of a country participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme, or are a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas).  In all cases we will also use your passport to confirm that your age is within the prescribed range.

Maintenance (Funds)

The evidence to support personal savings of £1600 must be original on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and have the official stamp of that organisation.  It must have been issued by an authorised official of that organisation. Evidence must be in the form of cash funds. Other accounts or financial instruments such as shares, bonds, pension funds etc, regardless of notice period are not acceptable.  If you wish to rely on a joint account as evidence of available funds, you must be named on the account along with one or more other named individual.  All evidence must be dated no more than one month before the application is submitted. Appendix C of the Immigration Rules states that only specified documents will be accepted as evidence of this requirement.

You should provide one or more of the following:

• building society/savings account pass book/s;
• personal bank or building society statements, dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you submit your application;
• letter from your bank or building society confirming level of funds dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you submit your application. This must be an original document, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and bear the official stamp of that organisation;
• letter from a financial institution regulated by the home regulator (official regulatory body for the country in which the institution operates) dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you submit your application.  This must be an original document, on the official letter-headed paper or stationery of the organisation and bear the official stamp of that organisation.

Building Society/Savings Account pass books

These should clearly show:

1. your name;
2. your account number;
3. the financial institution’s name and logo;
4. that there are enough funds present in the account (the balance must always be at least £1600).   

Personal bank or Building Society statements

These should clearly show:

1. your name;
2. your account number;
3. the date of the statement (dated no more than 1 month prior to the date you submit your application);
4. the financial institution’s name and logo;
5. that there are sufficient funds present in the account  (the balance must always be at least £1600).  

Ad hoc bank statements printed on the bank’s letterhead are admissible as evidence (this excludes mini-statements from cash points).

If you wish to submit electronic bank statements from an online account these must contain all of the details listed above. In addition, you will need to provide a supporting letter from your bank, on company headed paper, confirming the authenticity of the statements provided.  Alternatively, an electronic bank statement bearing the official stamp of the bank in question will be accepted.  This stamp should appear on every page of the statement.

Letters from a bank/building society or regulated financial institution

These should clearly show:

1. your name;
2. your account number;
3. the date of the letter;
4. the financial institution’s name and logo and bear the official stamp of the organisation;
5. that funds of at least £1600 are held in your account.  

We will also consider your application under the General Grounds for Refusal.  We will refuse your application if we find any documents are false.

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Are there any other restrictions, either for entry or on the type of work I can do?

Yes.  You must not previously have spent time in the United Kingdom as a Working Holiday Maker or a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) temporary migrant. See also the restriction below on dependants.

As a successful applicant you will be free to do whatever work you like during your stay in the United Kingdom except for self-employment (subject to certain exceptions, see below), working as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach) or working as a doctor in training.  You may also engage in privately funded studies, voluntary work and au pair placements.  There must be no recourse to public funds.

Self employment is only allowed under the following conditions:

1. you do not own permanent premises, from which you do business (other than your home);
2. the total value of the equipment you use in your business does not exceed £5000; and
3. you have no employees.

You may rent premises to work.  You may set up a company for the provision of the business, and also hold shares in a company, provided you meet the above conditions.

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How long will I be able to stay in the UK?

The entry clearance will be issued for two years.

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Can I extend my stay or switch into another leave category?

No.  You cannot extend or switch into leave in any other category. There are penalties for those who do not observe all conditions of their leave to enter or who remain in the UK beyond the time limited by their leave.

 

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Can I appeal if my application is refused?

Outside the United Kingdom a refusal of entry clearance under PBS does not attract a full right of appeal.  You can appeal only on one or more of the following grounds referred to in Section 84(1)(b) and (c) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002:

• that the decision is unlawful by virtue of Section 19B of the Race Relations Act 1976 (c.74) (discrimination by public authorities), and/or
• that the decision is unlawful under Section 6 of the Human rights Act 1998 (c.42) (public authority not to act contrary to Human Rights Convention) as being incompatible with the appellant’s Convention rights.

However, all applicants can apply for an Administrative Review, which is a mechanism for reviewing refusal decisions.

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What is Administrative Review?

If we refuse an application for entry clearance and you think that an error has been made, you can ask us to check our decision. This is known as an Administrative Review.

The Administrative Review is free of charge.  You must ask for an Administrative Review within 28 days from the date you receive the refusal notice (GV51).  You will receive an Administrative Review Request Notice with the Refusal Notice.  You must complete this in full and send it directly to the address stated on the Request Notice.

You MUST NOT send any additional documents such as passport or supporting documents with the Administrative Review Request Notice.  If the refusal is subsequently overturned, you will be asked to send in your passport. You may request only ONE Administrative Review per refusal decision.  Any further review requests for the same refusal decision will not be accepted and will be returned to you.  However, where the Administrative Reviewer upholds the refusal but with different refusal grounds, you may request a Review limited to these new refusal grounds.

If you are in the United Kingdom you cannot apply for an Administrative Review.  

The Administrative Review will be completed within 28 days and you will be notified of the result in writing.  The result of the Review may be sent from a different Post to where the original decision was made, to ensure that the Review is independent.

For more information about this you should refer to the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) Guidance.

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Can my dependants join me in the UK?

No.  Spouses or partners of YMS participants may not enter the UK as dependants but may enter if they qualify and obtain entry clearance in their own right under the YMS or qualify for entry in another capacity.

Dependent children are not permitted.  You must have no children under the age of 18 who are either living with you or for whom you are financially responsible, that is, paying maintenance.  You will be required to confirm on the application form that you have no children, as described above.   Although no documentary evidence will be required in support of this confirmation, your application will be refused if evidence comes to light that you have not met this requirement.

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Can I claim for medical treatment during my stay?

During the first 12 months of your stay in the United Kingdom, you will be required to pay for National Health Service treatment, unless you are working.  After the first 12 months, you will be exempt from charges.

 

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What are public funds?

Under the Immigration Rules, if you want to travel to the UK, you must be able to support yourself and any dependants without claiming certain benefits.

You can find more information about public funds in the Immigration Rules on the UK Border Agency website.

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Check your visa

Please check your visa when you get it. You should make sure that:

• your personal details are correct
• it correctly states the purpose for which you want to come to the UK, and
• it is valid for the date on which you want to travel. (You can ask for it to be post-dated up to three months if you do not plan to travel immediately).

If you think there is anything wrong with your visa, contact the visa application centre or visa section immediately.

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More advice and information

Please read other guidance available on this website. The full list is accessible through links on the left hand side of this page.

Full information about the Points Based System is available on the UK Border Agency website.

If you are outside the UK please contact your nearest visa application centre (VAC) or where no VAC is in operation, your nearest British mission where there is a visa section.

Where can I get immigration advice?

If you need help with your application or advice about the UK’s immigration rules and requirements, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration adviser.  In the UK these are immigration advisers regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC – www.oisc.gov.uk) or legally qualified professionals regulated by designated professional bodies.  The Law Societies of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Insititute of Legal Executives can provide a list of Law Firms who can advise on immigration matters.  Their websites are:

Law Society of England and Wales

Law Society of Scotland

Law Society of Northern Ireland

Institute of Legal Executives

For more advice and information about extending your stay once you are in the UK:

The UK Border Agency
Croydon Public Caller Unit
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY
Phone: (+44) (0)870 606 7766 (general enquiries)
Phone: (+44) (0)870 241 0645 (application forms)
Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

For advice on bringing personal belongings and goods into the UK contact:

HM Revenue & Customs
Dorset House
Stamford Street
London SE1 9PY
Phone: (+44) (0)845 010 9000
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Drugs warning
Anyone found smuggling drugs into the UK will face serious penalties. Drug traffickers may try to bribe travellers. If you are travelling to the UK, avoid any involvement with drugs.

False documents
It is better to explain why you do not have a document than to submit a false document with an application. Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information.  They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.

Travellers to the UK who produce a false travel document or passport to the UK immigration authorities for themselves and/or their children are committing an offence. People found guilty of this offence face up to two years in prison or a fine (or both).

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