Applying for a youth mobility.

[Davidfromcalgary]

Hey guys, I am kinda confused about HOW to go about applying for a youth mobility visa for later this year (wanting to go around sept/oct) I called the british high commission and was directed to http://www.visainfoservices.com I am looking to start gathering what I need for the application so as to not leave it last minute. Now I have read and heard somewhere that the applications have to be made and paid for online. But yet I have also heard to print off your application and take it and your documents to worldbridge (in my case a drive to edmonton) and submit it there along with your biometric data. I am so confused about WHERE to start. If anybody can give me some steps that would be most appreciated. I think I could call worldbridge and ask but it is like $3.20/min. only want to do that if I have to besides if I did apply online that would mean I would have to send my documents (proof of funds etc) separately? AHHH so confused. Any help would be much appreciated.

[ang7586]

Hey David,
Go to www*dot*ukvisas*dot*gov*dot*uk (it won't let me post a link)
Click how to apply on the left side, then go down to point based system Teir 5 YMS. it will give you all the information about your paperwork and biometrics. I'm at this stage myself. I just finished all my paperwork and now I need to bring it into the VAC office and give my biometrics.

Can anyone help me with the next step(s)?
I know I need a National Insurance Number, but I'm not sure how to obtain one.... do I have to get it once I land in the UK?
Thank you all ahead of time!!

Ang

[Davidfromcalgary]

Oh ok. so you don't have to apply online then? just print off the application? I have decided to hold off for now until at least the end of the year. I am taking another trip over to visit friends and scope out the job scene. I hear that they may reject alot of visas right now because of the recession. I guess with something like 4 million unemployed and rising, it doesnt make much sense to go expecting to get a job. I am gonna wait, but still gather my documents etc.

[Davidfromcalgary]

Also, you don't need a return ticket when you arrive on this visa right? I have read somewhere that it is a good idea. Why? If your there for 2 years, why have a return ticket?

[LGHunter]

My guess would be: so that they know that you're going to leave?

Seems to me, you can get an open-ended ticket. How that works, I don't know. But, they want proof that you're going to leave the country, and not stay there illegally.

[ang7586]

Dave - Yes you have to apply online, but you need the printouts of all the forms you have filled out. You apply online at the Worldbridge site.

[carlaanne_r]

Hi, did the holiday working visa, which is the one they had prior to youth mobility. For me I didn't need to have a return ticket but at customs they made SURE i understood the visa restrictions. You have to apply for a National insurance number here, you call a number (if you google it, you'll find it) and they send you forms to fill out. It takes 6-8 weeks plus so make sure you do it as soon as you get into the country, you can't do it before.

Carla

[opendestiny]

You do not need a return ticket - in fact most airlines won't book flights that far in advance (two years? HAH Many airlines have problems with flights more than 8 months in my experience...). You can get what is called an "Open-jaw" ticket - you book a return trip but for a small fee (for students, $50, for everyone else $150) you can change the returning flight to anytime within a year less one day of your departure. You cannot change the route, however, so if you book a return flight from London to Toronto, say, you can't change it to a return flight from London to Vancouver.