No children living with/financially dependent.
Fee GBP340; IHS GBP776/yr (GBP1,552 for 2 yrs) gives full NHS access. GBP2,530 savings held 28 consecutive days. No dependants; cannot apply if children under 18 live with you or you are financially responsible for them; one YMS per lifetime. Ballot only for Hong Kong + Taiwan (1,000 places each, 2026).
+1 year extension ONLY for Australia, Canada, New Zealand nationals (fee GBP319 + IHS GBP776; once only; apply in UK within 28 days of expiry). Japan/Korea cannot extend.
Applications are submitted through the UK Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 3 weeks.
Apply Now →Sort out the essentials before you arrive, from banking and mobile data to flights, accommodation and insurance.
Some provider links here are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Open a local account soon after you arrive in the UK so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.
Useful tools for arranging your insurance, flights and first accommodation.
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Compare flights to the UK from hundreds of airlines.
Book your first nights in the UK. Hostels and budget stays.
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.