On January 16, 2026, the government announced that the first ballot for the 2026 Youth Mobility Scheme will open from 12:01am on February 10, 2026 and close at 12:01am on February 12, 2026.
As in previous years there are a total of 1000 places available to Taiwanese youth for 2026, and 1000 places for Hong Kong youth.
Most places will be allocated during the first ballot in February, while the remaining places will be made available in a second ballot in the summer. Those who are successful in the ballot and go on to make an application and be issued a visa will be able to live, work and study in the UK for up to two years.
Once the ballot closes, allocations will be chosen at random by UKVI. Those who are successful will receive an email by February 27, 2026 to confirm acceptance and provide further instructions on how to start the online application, along with documentary evidence required to apply for entry clearance.
Applicants then have 90 days to submit a completed application , pay the visa fee and attend a visa application center biometrics appointment.
Those who are unsuccessful in the ballot will receive an email within two weeks of the ballot closing. The results of the ballot are final. Unsuccessful applicants cannot appeal but can enter future ballots if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Background
Applications for the Youth Mobility scheme visa can be submitted by nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea aged 18 to 35; and nationals of Andorra, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Japan, Monaco, San Marino, Taiwan and Uruguay aged 18 to 30.
Applicants from Hong Kong or Taiwan must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before they can apply for their visa. Japanese and South Korean nationals no longer need to enter the ballot and can enter at any time online.
There is a separate ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme for Indian nationals aged between 18 and 30 years.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.