Just Received Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: My tips and Advice

[alilaw6]

This past September, I decided that I wanted to move to the UK. I knew that I was eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa and that if you qualified it was a fairly easy visa to acquire. I am planning on travelling to the UK after the Olympics are over in Vancouver, so I had plenty of time to do my research and organize myself. Here is the story of my application process!

Research

I started by visiting my local SWAP office located in a Travel Cuts. They were very knowledgeable about life in the UK and applying for the visa. Free advice is the best kind! I also spoke to a few Canadian friends living in the UK and one of them kindly offered to help me once I arrived. As a result, I decided to go through the application process on my own. You pay quite a bit extra to use SWAP and I’m not too sure that the benefits outweigh the cost. Other resources I used include this message board and this blog: canadiansintheuk.wordpress.com.

Banking

Following the advice of the blog, I decided to go ahead with an offshore bank account with Lloyds. It was fairly straightforward to setup. Once I had wired money into the account, I received a statement indicated the balance. I took this statement to Lloyds in Vancouver, had them stamp and sign it and was able to submit it along with my application.

I still had ample funds in my Canadian account, so I had the bank manager write me a letter indicated my account balance in Canadian and British funds. He simply followed the instructions in the PDF package which I had printed out and brought to the bank.

Application

The online application is fairly straightforward. The only question I didn’t anticipate was concerning the number of times you left Canada in the past 10 years. I travel quite a lot and had to track down all my trips. After I had done this, I had a tough time fitting my travels into the limited character space.

Once I had submitted the application, I received email confirmation and notification to book my appointment at the Vancouver VAC centre. I was impressed that there were multiple appointments available starting with the day after I had submitted my application. I chose to book my appointment a week after I submitted my application to ensure that I had ample time to get my paper work together.

Biometrics

I’d definitely suggest taking public transport to the Vancouver centre. Parking is expensive and there are at least two SkyTrain stations within walking distance. The woman I met with was very kind and helpful. I was taken early for my appointment and the appointment itself was very brief. She mentioned that if you have money in the UK already (i.e. my Lloyd’s offshore account) that it makes your application more favourable.

They took my fingerprint scans, took a photo of me (note: you still need to take in a passport sized photo) and I paid my $16 in courier fees. The woman sealed my documents, placed them in the DHL envelope and told me to submit Appendix 7 along with my bank statements in the courier envelope.

Submitting My Application

Monday – I had my biometrics done in Vancouver

Tuesday – I dropped the envelope off at DHL

Wednesday – I received email confirmation that my application had been received

Thursday – I received email confirmation that my application was successful

Friday – I received a package from DHL with my passport, my bank statement and two notices about the visa.

I was extremely pleased to see that they had followed my travel plan (as indicated on my application) and my visa begins the day I depart Canada. I had seen online that other people’s visas began the day the visa is put in their passport. There doesn’t seem to be any guarantee of them following your travel plan, so if you have booked a flight, you just need to weigh the risk.

If you have any questions, please just ask! UK here I come…

[kontheisland]

Hey Ali!

Wow looks like everything worked out great for you! Thanks for the info.

After reading your post I started looking into the International accounts with Lloyds, if you don't mind me asking which account did you chose? And do you do all the set up online?

The one thing I have yet to look into is flights, I really have no idea how this works and am going to speak to a travel agent in the next few days but maybe you can tell me. Do you book set dates for the return trip or is it flexible? I can see both being options and if so is one cheaper or easier?

Thanks and good luck on your adventure!

Kate

[headcrusher]

Hi,

I just received my Youth Mobility visa last week and the date that was placed on my visa is about a month from now. I was just wondering if anyone knew if it is wise to head to the UK before that date? Or are there any restrictions on travelling before the date posted in the visa?
Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[kontheisland]

Hey Headcrusher,

I don't know about that through all of my research I haven't read either way. I have a question for you, how long did it take for your visa to be approved? I submitted my online application today and have my biometrics mid next week. I am hoping to leave in about a month.

Kate

Oh and congratulations!

[Davidfromcalgary]

So am I able to just use 3 months worth of statements for the application and then transfer money out of my bank (TD) when I have an account opened? Or do I take it all out in Travellers cheques? I will be using the VAC in Edmonton. Also if anyone knows where to go to get your national insurance number that would be great. I will be in the Leeds area. Hope to be gone by May/June. I have a friend currently on the visa working in London but she got a UK bank account in Vancouver I beleive. She is with Scotiabank here and apparently they are connected to a specific bank in the UK. I am working alot and have never been to vancouver so Edmonton is the preferred choice for me. My friend has sent me links to the 2 pages you are to print off and the one that is sent online. Is there any limit to how much you can take out of Canada at a time? (may be a dumb question)

-- Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:22 pm --

A couple more things. It says before you fill out the online application to have your itinerary ready and your UK address. I will be staying with my gf and she is moving out about a month before I arrive. Am I able to use her parents address in the meantime on the application? Also what all do I need for supporting documents? I will have bank statements and a letter from the bank saying I have what I say I do. My passport (not sure if I should include my old one that has stamps from when I visited the UK) and these forms I will have filled out. http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/ ... pendix7YMS
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/ ... 03073/vaf9
those are what I was told to fill out and bring to the VAC and http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/applyonline/ is the actual application filled out and sent online. If anyone has any advice it would be most helpful. Sorry for all the questions, I am probably making this out to be a bigger deal than it really is. I just need confirmation that I am on the right track with the forms and what is needed.

[headcrusher]

Hey Headcrusher,

I don't know about that through all of my research I haven't read either way. I have a question for you, how long did it take for your visa to be approved? I submitted my online application today and have my biometrics mid next week. I am hoping to leave in about a month.

Kate

Oh and congratulations!

Hi Kate,

I've decided to play it safe and book a flight for after the issuing date on my visa. My visa was approved very quickly. The visa office sent me an email the same day they received it, then the next working day I got another email saying it had been approved and the following day it arrived in my mailbox! So, you should get your visa in good time

Good luck!

Jessica

-- Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:34 am --

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about health care in the UK? I have started doing a bit of research and have read that health care is provided for those that are working and paying taxes in the UK. I was wondering if that applies to those working abroad on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa or would you have to get some sort of health insurance before you leave? Thanks

Jessica

[kontheisland]

I got my Visa!! YAY. My plan is to head to Edinburgh around then end of the month. If anyone is going to be in that area let me know, I could use some friends I am sure!
Kate

[Goodes]

Anyone know if you're eligible to work while you're waiting for your National Insurance Number? From what I'm told you can't get one until you arrive in the UK, but it can take 6 to 8 weeks before you get one. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

And good luck to everyone heading over!