UK Working Holiday Visa 2027: Cost, Age Limit and How to Apply
What Is the UK Working Holiday Visa?
The UK working holiday visa is the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, once called the Tier 5 working holiday visa. It lets you live and work in the UK for up to 24 months with no job offer or employer sponsor.
18–35Age on the day you apply
£1,892Visa fee plus 2-year health surcharge
£2,530Savings to show (stays your money)
3 weeksUsual wait for a decision
On the visa you can
- Work in most jobs, from hospitality and events to office and trade work.
- Be self-employed, as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is worth no more than £5,000, and you have no employees.
- Study.
- Leave the UK and come back as often as you like.
You can't
- Work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
- Claim public funds.
- Add family members to your application: they have to apply separately.
Who's Eligible?
Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians can apply if they:
- Are aged 18 to 35 on the day they apply.
- Have £2,530 in savings, held in their own account for 28 days in a row, with day 28 no more than 31 days before they apply.
- Don't have children under 18 who live with them or who they support financially.
- Haven't had a Youth Mobility or UK working holiday visa before.
No ballot for Australians. Australians don't need to enter a ballot, as people from some other countries do. If you meet the rules, you can apply.
How Much Does the UK Working Holiday Visa Cost?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £340 |
| Immigration health surcharge | £776 a year (£1,552 for 2 years) |
| Paid to the UK government for a 2-year visa | £1,892 |
| Savings you must show | £2,530 (this stays your money) |
| Visa centre appointment | Some centres charge an extra fee |
| Faster decision | An optional priority service costs extra |
That's £1,892 upfront to the UK government for a 2-year visa, on top of the savings you need to show. The health surcharge gives you access to the NHS for the length of your visa.
UK visa fees usually change each April, so check GOV.UK before you pay.
When Should You Apply?
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you travel. Once you've proved your identity and given your documents, you'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
We recommend applying at least 2 months before you fly. That leaves time for an appointment at a visa centre, any follow-up questions, and any delays in busy months.
Your savings need to have been in your account for 28 days before you apply. If you're moving money from a partner's or parent's account, do it early: the funds must be in your own name.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check you're eligible and that your £2,530 has been in your account for 28 days in a row.
- Apply online on GOV.UK and choose a visa start date that matches your planned arrival.
- Pay the £340 application fee and the health surcharge.
- Prove your identity, either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre. Your application tells you which.
- Provide your documents: your passport and bank statements showing your savings.
- Get your decision by email, usually within 3 weeks.
- Set up your UKVI account to access your eVisa. You'll use it to prove your right to work and your right to rent in the UK.
You must apply from outside the UK, so do it from home before you leave.
Mistakes That Get Applications Refused
A refusal costs you the £340 application fee (the health surcharge is refunded) and can push back your travel. The most common causes are:
- Savings that dip below £2,530, even for one day, during the 28 days.
- Funds in someone else's name, such as a parent's or partner's account.
- Statements with missing pages or dates, or that don't cover the full 28 days.
- Typos in names, passport numbers, or dates.
- Applying too early or too late: more than 6 months before you travel, or too close to your flights.
Can You Extend It to 3 Years?
Yes, if you're Australian, a New Zealander, or Canadian. Near the end of your 2 years, you can apply from inside the UK for one more year, paying another application fee and another year of health surcharge.
Other nationalities can't extend and would need to switch to a different visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Getting Help with Your Application Money-back guarantee
The Working Holiday Club's licensed agents can handle your UK working holiday visa with you. We:
- Check your eligibility and your bank statements before you apply.
- Help you choose a visa start date that matches your flights and arrival week.
- Help book your identity appointment if you need one.
- Back it with a money-back guarantee (conditions apply).
When you land, our London team helps you set up your National Insurance number, UK bank account, and SIM.
FAQ
How long does the UK working holiday visa take?
You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks of proving your identity and providing your documents. You can apply up to 6 months before you travel, and we recommend at least 2 months ahead.
Can I apply for the UK working holiday visa from inside the UK?
No. Your first Youth Mobility visa must be applied for from outside the UK. Only the one-year extension for Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians is applied for from inside the UK.
Do I need a job offer for the UK working holiday visa?
No. The Youth Mobility visa doesn't need a job offer or an employer sponsor. You can arrive and look for work, or line up job introductions before you fly with Jumpstart London.
Ready to Apply?
Let our licensed agents check your documents before you pay a cent to the Home Office.
Get help with your UK working holiday visa →
