UK Youth Mobility Scheme 2025: Second Ballot Opens 15 July

Charlie UK Visa News 11 July 2025 | Updated On July 14, 2025 | 0

If you're aged 18 to 30 (or up to 35 for some countries) and want the chance to live and work in the UK for up to two years, the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is a great opportunity.

The UK Home Office has confirmed that the second ballot for the 2025 Youth Mobility Scheme will open on 15 July and will close on 17 July 2025.

This is your chance to be selected for a visa that lets you experience life in the UK — work, study, travel, and even start your own business.

Who Needs to Enter the Ballot?

If you're from Hong Kong (SAR passport) or Taiwan, you must enter a ballot before applying for a visa.

Ballot Entry Details:

When: 15 July 2025 (from 00:01 local time) to 17 July 2025 (until 00:01 local time)
How: Send one email during the 48-hour window (duplicate entries will be ignored)
Where to Send:
- Hong Kong: [email protected]
- Taiwan: [email protected]

Make sure to follow the required format below.

The header or subject line of your email must contain your name, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY), and passport number as shown in your passport.

The main body of your email should include the following information, written in English:

Name
Date of birth
Passport Number
Mobile phone number

Once you send your email, you’ll receive an automatic reply confirming your entry.

You do not need to enter the ballot if you are from Japan or South Korea — you can apply anytime. You also don’t need to enter the ballot if you’re a British Overseas Citizen, a British Overseas Territories Citizen, or a British National (Overseas).

Note: Indian applicants must use the India Young Professionals Scheme, which has a separate process.

Here’s What You Need to Know

You can apply if:

You're 18 to 30 years old (some nationalities can be up to 35)
You have at least £2,530 in savings
You don’t have children living with you or who depend on you financially
You haven’t used the Youth Mobility Scheme before

If you're selected in the ballot, you’ll get an email by 1 August 2025. Then, you’ll have 90 days to:

Apply for the visa
Pay the application fee
Book and attend a biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC)

You should get a visa decision within 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment.

If you’re not selected, you’ll be notified within 2 weeks after the ballot closes.

Mark your calendar for 15 July, prepare your documents, and make sure you send your ballot email on time! If you need assistance, contact IaM.

Ready to send in your ballot entry? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

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And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.