Just Received Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: My tips and Advice

does anyone happen to have a recent application form as an example? Just wondering - I tried to find one online and can't seem to be able to find it other than the VAF9 form and the points calculation. I'm just curious as to what questions they ask (e.g. UK address?? That won't get figured out until approx. 3-4 weeks before I leave although I guess I could maybe use my friends' address if he lets me lol).

I, too, noticed that the VAF9 form has "attributes" "maintenance" and "english" component....which doesn't co-relate to the points calculation form ("attributes" "maintenance" & "age"). Did anyone recently submit an application and potentially give any feedback??

I'm 7 weeks from putting in my application but I freak myself out with such official and important documents. I know that I don't have any of my expired passports but that's easy to explain that they were rightfully returned to Passport Canada.

***EDIT**** I think I found the answer to the VAF9 form....attributes are your citzenship & age combined and then obviously there is the maintenance.

I applied for my YMS in late January, but it was extremely easy and straight forward.

ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf28pbsyouthmobility

That part of the website explains what you need and which forms to fill out if you haven't already found it.

From what I remember, you don't need to state where you'll be staying in the forms, but you will when you're landing in the UK.

If you have anymore questions I'll try and answer them the best I can.

Hey guys,

I'm getting my finger prints done this Thursday then sending my documents straight after (they say you only have 10 days to send your completed visa application to Ottawa, otherwise it becomes expired or could be refused?)

I went over the two websites (UK Border Agency and WorldBridge) that list what you need, I've gone over them over and over again to see which documents I need, and I believe I have everything for Thursday, but can someone PLEASE tell me if I'm missing something? I've triple checked it all but I'm worried if I miss something, my visa will be refused

This is what I have: (original + photocopy)
- valid passport and expired previous passport
- one recent passport-style photo (size 45mm x 35mm, against light gray background)
- bank statement and letter from Financial Service Representative with his signature, the bank's official logo, date, my bank account number, verifying sufficient funds
- a print-out of my paid completed online application
- a print-out of my completed VAF9 form
- a print-out of my Self-Assessment to indicate I have 40 points
- a print-out of my completed Appendix 7 form

Am I missing anything else?
Thanks guys! I look forward to moving and working in Edinburgh for the next two years if all goes well

ps - I know this is kind of a dumb question, but they say you should photocopy every piece of document you decide to submit, so does that include your passport-style photo as well? I wanna make sure I have everything right, since it is such a particular process.

You have everything.

You don't need to photocopy anything if you don't want to. The process moves fast (2 days and my YMS was approved out of Vancouver).

It's not as complex and difficult as it seems. And if you go to the appointment and you are missing something you can just go get it and come back to the Worldbridge office and mail out the forms (you mail them yourself anyway)

sounds to me like you have everything!! I'd make photocopies just in case - anytime I send anything away I make photocopies although I don't think it is necessary to have to photocopy your picture. I just got my picture done and they gave me 2 so I'm not concerned there. In another couple of weeks I am going to get a letter from my bank manager and then POOF - time to apply!! Needless to say I am on countdown mode until I can get the ball completely rolling

Thanks for the clarification on the UK address thing and the application. If worse came to worse I could always just ask my friend who lives there if I could use his address - I'm sure he wouldn't mind for the time being.

Now I just have to hunt down all the trips I've been on and the dates....lol. I've figured out the places I've been but not all of the dates.

Lynz,
I didn't even put down exact dates. They can see that in your passports if they care.

I just put "Various Mexico, US and Canada trips totaling no more than 30 days in the last 5 years."

Hey folks;
I'm hoping to apply ASAP for the YMV but my HUGE main question is the maintenance funds.... ive seen conflicting information all over that says you need the money in your account for 90 days prior, and then other information that says you just need it in there regardless and can apply anytime. Can anyone shed any light? how long were your maintenance funds in your account before applying?? I have the funds now, and have had for several weeks, but I just want to make sure before I go to the trouble of applying.
Thanks for your help!!

Hey Eirinn,

I applied for my Youth Mobility visa and I was worrying about the same thing. But to completely clarify, since the laws/rules change so often, you need to have proof of funds no more than a month old - meaning, you need to have statements or a letter no later than a month before applying for your visa. I printed out my statements and got my letter 10 days before applying. So if you're planning to apply soon, you have a month to get the proof. If it's more than a month, you're no good.

Hope this helps. I'm going in exactly a month! Edinburgh, here I come.

Ok, So I am going to be an au pair in Stirling Scotland and I am supposed to be leaving in about a month.
I am stressing because I am going with an agency and they have been picking apart my bank letters that I plan on submitting at my biometrics appointment. I have printed out a bank statement, and I went to the bank and get a letter from the bank manager stating that the statement is valid and that I have the correct amount of funds and my account number and everything that was needed. Though now my agency is saying that I have to get the letter redone because I shouldn't have a statement with it because it makes it more confusing. But I looked up online and it said it should work, but now I am worried that I should go and get a NEW letter again! What should I do?
Should I submit the statement AND letter?
Or, should I go get a new letter and forget about the statement..

does anyone know how to add places for travel when you run out of space? I ran out of space and I've only covered 3 years' worth of travelling out of Canada....

Re: the bank statement. You need to have 3 months' worth of bank statements (and if they are electronic bank statements, you must have the authentisized at the bank). The letter that you get from your bank stating that you have sufficient funds is in addition and recommended but not necessarily needed. Personally, I would submit the 3 months' worth of statements plus a letter from the bank.