UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa for New Zealand citizens

This page is for New Zealand citizens interested in the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme visa. It outlines the main requirements and conditions for the program. If you have a New Zealand passport, you can apply for this visa to live and work in the UK.

To be eligible, you must be aged 18 to 35 when you apply. The visa allows you to stay for up to 24 months, with a possible extension of one year. You will need to show proof of £2,530 in savings, held for at least 28 days. The application fee is £340, plus an Immigration Health Surcharge, which is usually £776 per year.

Passport

New Zealand

Age range

18 to 35

Stay

Up to 24 months (plus a 1-year extension)

Fee

£340 + Immigration Health Surcharge (usually £776 per year)

Funds

£2,530 held for 28 days

Conditions for New Zealand citizens

• Can extend the visa by one year after the 2-year period ends.

General rules of the program

• Up to 24 months. Nationals of Australia, Canada and New Zealand can extend by one more year after the 2-year period.
• Work in most jobs; self-employment allowed if premises are rented, equipment is worth no more than £5,000 and you have no employees. Professional sportsperson work (including coaching) is not allowed.
• You can study; some courses need an ATAS certificate.
• At least £2,530 in your bank account, held for 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying.
• £340 application fee, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (usually £776 per year).
• Family members cannot be included; you cannot apply if children under 18 live with you or you are financially responsible for children.
• You cannot apply if you have already been in the UK under the scheme.
• No access to public funds.
• You must be 18 or over when the visa starts and 30 (or 35) or under when you apply.
• GOV.UK says you usually get a decision within 3 weeks after applying, proving your identity and providing documents.

What stands out

A key feature for New Zealand citizens is the extended age range, which goes up to 35. This is higher than the age limit for many other countries. Another significant point is the ability to extend the visa. After the initial 24-month period, nationals of New Zealand can apply for a 1-year extension. This brings the potential total stay to three years, which is longer than the standard two years offered to most other participants in the scheme.

How to apply, step by step

1. Check your nationality and age group (18 to 30 or 18 to 35), and whether you must win the ballot first.
2. Make sure £2,530 has been in your account for 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of applying.
3. Apply online up to 6 months before you travel, pay the £340 fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Prove your identity and provide your documents; a decision usually takes about 3 weeks after that.

Other programs open to New Zealand citizens

From the programs in this directory. Status is shown only where the official page stated it.

Full list: working holiday visas for New Zealand citizens.

All passports for this program: UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa: who can apply.