Visa snapshot
Government verified · 10 June 2026- Levy / extra cost
- Immigration Health Surcharge GBP 776/year (GBP 1,552 for 2 years) - gives full NHS access
- Funds required
- GBP 2,530 in savings (28-day rule)
- Work rights
- Work in most jobs; self-employment allowed only if premises rented, equipment worth under GBP5,000, and no employees. Cannot work as professional sportsperson. No public funds.
- Study rights
- Study allowed; ATAS certificate needed for some courses
- Extensions
- Available, conditions apply
- Reciprocal healthcare
- Yes
- (effectively) - full NHS access from visa start after paying IHS; prescriptions/dental/eye tests still paid
- Quota / ballot
- 2025 published allocation: 5,000. 2026 NOT yet published
- No ballot
Eligibility & conditions
GBP 2,530 savings held 28 consecutive days (day 28 within 31 days of applying). Cannot apply if children under 18 live with you or you are financially responsible for them. One YMS per lifetime. No certificate of sponsorship. Can apply up to 6 months before travel; decision ~3 weeks.
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.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the UK Government's official visa portal. Processing typically takes 3 weeks.
Apply Now →Get set up for the UK
Banking
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.
More the UK working holiday visas
Your first-week checklist
The practical order of things for your first days. What to sort and where to go next.