Tier 5 (Youth Mobility)

INTRODUCTION
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) comes into effect on 27th November 2008 and covers individuals who wish to work temporarily in the UK.  It is aimed at young applicants (between the ages of 18 and 30) who wish to experience life in the UK.  An applicant's home government acts as the sponsor.  Successful applicants will be able to do any work for the duration of their stay in the UK, with the exception of self-employment (subject to certain conditions), working as a professional sportsperson (including coaches) or working as a Doctor in Training.

Dependants are not permitted under this category.
Individuals who have spent time in the UK previously under the Working Holiday Maker scheme are not eligible for this category.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must apply under the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) outside the UK.  To apply under the points-based system and be accepted into the Tier 5 category, applicants must pass a points-based assessment.  Applicants MUST score:

• 30 points for being an Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand citizen or is a British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas)
• 10 points for being 18 or over when the entry clearance becomes valid for use AND for being under the age of 31 on the date the application is submitted
• 10 points for available maintenance (funds) - see below

If an applicant does not score the minimum of 40 points for their attributes and 10 points available for maintenance (funds), the application will be refused.

MAINTENANCE
Applicants must show a balance of a minimum of £1600 of personal savings on the date of application.

Evidence must be in the form of cash funds.  Other accounts or financial instruments for example, shares, bonds, pension funds, regardless of notice period, are not acceptable.