Youth Mobility Scheme

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme sub-route?


The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is one of the main sub-routes for the Temporary Work route. This sub-route enables migrants from specific countries aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

Key features

  • Work: with certain limitations, YMS migrants may be employed, self-employed or study in the UK.
  • Dependants: individuals in this route may not bring dependants.
  • Settlement: the scheme does not lead to settlement in the UK, but time spent under the sub-route can count towards ten years lawful residence in the UK for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) purposes.

How we can help


Our UK Team is experienced at handling a wide spectrum of YMS matters ranging from straightforward cases to those with issues relating to previous refusals and unspent criminal convictions. We carefully guide clients through the application process to ensure as smooth and expeditious an experience as possible.

Our legal fees


Fixed fees
We work on a fixed fee basis. Our fees for individual YMS applications typically range between £4,500 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements depending upon the issues, urgencies and complexities involved.

Disbursements
You can expect the main disbursements to include:

  • Home Office filing fees (click here for the government’s visa/entry clearance fee calculator and here for a list of all Home Office fees);
  • Immigration Health Surcharge fees, if applicable;
  • Optional premium service fees for in-country and out-of-country applications; and
  • other ancillary disbursements such as UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) fees, biometric enrolment, translations, courier and postage charges, etc.

Latest Insights


Change in thresholds for sponsor company size classification from 6 April 2025

On 6 April 2025 the criteria used to define small companies under the Companies Act 2006 changed, impacting relevant companies responsible for paying…

Laura Devine Immigration partners and solicitors featured on 2025 Pro Bono Recognition List

We are delighted to announce the inclusion of six LDI lawyers on the 2025 Pro Bono Recognition List published this morning – congratulations to…

British citizenship – addressing wrongs of the past

British nationality law has been riddled with discrimination, and it has evolved to put this right. This article focuses on one of the latest…