YMS Questions.

Hi,

My girlfriend will be applying for the YMS Visa in a week or two (information depending,) and I have a few questions, that I can't seem to find any definitive answers for, anywhere else.

1.) I see that she needs to print/fill in "Form VAF9" and "Appendix 7." I also read that she needs to apply on-line? Is this in conjunction with the printing/filling in of the aforementioned forms? (Does she need to print both, AND do the on-line application?) I think she does need to do both, because it seems you only get an appointment, at the WorldBridge centre, after you've made your on-line application? Confirmation would be nice, if I am right, of course, or more information, if it turns out that I'm wrong.

2.) Does she need a bank account in the U.K, before applying? People say that your application is "looked favourably upon" if you do, but, if you meet the criteria, for the visa, should there not be any room for "looking favourably to, or in disfavour of" your application?

3.) In order to have the £1,600+ to meet the criteria, she'll be moving some savings around, into her bank account - will this "sudden increase in funds" have any negative impact on her application, if, after the funds are transferred, she then gets a bank statement printed (showing her bank account, with the funds now transferred into it,) showing the funds?

4.) Does it matter how recent the bank statement is, so long as it's NO OLDER than 3 months old? For example - If she were to apply, say, on July 31st, and got a bank statement printed, July 30th, would this matter? Does she need a longer record of her bank account, than a statement printed a day before her application?

5.) She has paperless banking - How would she go about getting a bank statement, showing her name/address/funds, etc, on bank letterhead? Would she just go into her local branch, and request they print one for her? (Possibly incurring some kind of fee?) If it's printed, at the bank, on bank letterhead, would it also need to be signed/certified by a teller, at the bank? (Or would it need to be a manager?)

6.) The "recent passport photo" that is required as part of the documentation that is requested - I read that it needs to be dated. Who does it need to be dated by, and, does it also need to be signed/certified by a person of good standing? (Or does it not need to be signed/certified? Or, if it does require certification, does it have to be by a person of good standing, or can "anybody" sign/certify, so long as they can be contacted, to substantiate the certification?)

7.) With all the documentation put together, and assuming she gets an appointment, after (possibly?) applying on-line... is the place she gets the appointment, where she brings all her documentation, as well as the place where she gets her biometrics taken?

8.) Is there a fee for the biometrics? (Beyond the $211 visa fee.)

9.) Does she pay for the visa fee on-line, or, at the appointment?

10.) Assuming that the appointment is where she brings her documents AND gets her biometrics taken... I read that she gets a courier envelope to put it all in... does this include all documentation AND biometrics? (Also, I read there is a courier fee? What is it? I read that it was $16?) Is it already addressed, or does the address need to be printed/written on it?

11.) She was recently in the country for just shy of 6 months (visiting,) will this hinder her application, in any way? (It was not a working holiday, point-based-working, or student visa of any kind. She was just here as a tourist... or... whatever you'd call a Canadian who visits England without the requirement of a visa?)

12.) I'm aware that there are a "limited number" of YMS Visas available, each year... what are the realistic chances that, this late in the year, they've all been taken up? Is it even possible that there are none left? IF there are none left, for the year, I'll assume that'd cause her application to be rejected. (Or would they not allow the application, assuming there were no more places?) If rejected due to no visas being available, would she be refunded the $211? Or would they simply eat the money, and tell her to "expletive-deleted" off?

I know, there are a lot of questions, but... my girlfriend is prone to stress and panic, when things go wrong, or when something is unknown; so I'm trying to gather as much information, as I possibly can, before she applies, to make the entire process far easier, for her.

Any help anyone can give me, with any of these questions, would be greatly appreciated. If you could, please list the number(s) of the question(s) you're replying to, linked to the answer(s) you're giving, to make it easier for me to access the information. Thank you!

(Also, if you feel there is any further information, that I've not asked for, that could help in an informative, or emotionally calming manner, please, feel free to share.)

The sooner I have answers, the sooner I can help her apply, the sooner she can be in my arms, once more. So, thank you, all, for reading, and possibly helping, with my questions. =)

I just arrived in May on mine. I had alot of the same questions as you. First, apply online and then make an appointment with worldbridge. I printed off those other forms you mentioned, but never needed them when I had my worldbridge appointment. Make sure you have at least one photo. I forget the size, but it is slightly larger than a canadian passport one. When the funds went into your bank should not matter. I simply went into my bank (TD) and got them to give me a printoff showing my balance in my chequing and savings accounts and it also had my visa balance on there as well (the visa was with TD so it was on there) I believe they called it simply an "account summary" MAKE SURE IT IS STAMPED by the bank, otherwise it wont be taken as official. Had my worldbridge appointment and submitted my printoff of my online application/proof of payment (you get it after the online app is complete) Gave my one photo (took 2 in case) and had to pay a fee as well which I forget the total. They take another photo of you and your fingerprints. put it all into an envelope and they get you to send it. Upon arrival I had zero difficulty with immigration. Just told him how much I have with me and he simply looked at my visa and then required my fingerprints from my thumb and index finger to confirm I was the same person who applied. (you will be on their system) I had my girlfriends mum help me with a bank account. But I only have a basic one for money going in and coming out. (no debit card) with Halifax. They just needed to photocopy my passport and visa. I transferred the bulk of my savings with a bank draft I took out from TD in POUNDS STERLING. It takes about 2 weeks to clear because it is from outside the UK, but all went smooth. I had to make the 5 hour round trip to Edmonton for the 10 minute worldbrige appointment, but that was honestly the biggest pain in the ass I had with the whole process. All in all I had my visa back in my passport within 1 week exactly. So those forms you were mentioning you can print off and fill out in case they changed it and now need them, but they are pretty much the same questions that are on the online one and I never needed them. Also of course you need to bring your passport to worldbridge as it will be sent away and your expired one if you have it. I just renewed my passport before I applied as it only had 2 years left and they generally want at least 6 months on a passport for travel I believe. So I opted to keep my old one for the application. I guess they wanted to see the stamps in it of where I was. But isnt entirely necessary. Anymore questions just ask me. I shouldnt be missing any info but this was in February so things might have changed a bit.

-- Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:35 am --

Also had been in the UK for 2 weeks in 2008 and 3 in 2009 and it had no effect whatsoever on my application. As long as you didnt break the law or cause trouble, then it shouldn't be an issue.

-- Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:42 am --

When you apply you also can set the date up to 3 months ahead of when you apply for the visa to activate. I applied in February and said I would like to travel april 21st and that is when my visa started its validity. Unfortunately the Ash cloud didnt allow me to leave then and had to leave may 7th, but no biggie. One thing I will say is finding a job in this country is far more difficult than in canada. They have interviews that feel like you are being interrogated by the FBI even for simple positions. I am a qualified plumber back home and make a fraction of what I did and it is depressing. I also bought a car and can drive on my license for a year. Ive been here for 12 weeks and am homesick. But everyone is different. I also wouldnt worry about there not being enough visas. I have noticed people getting theirs in November December and there is always plenty. However the other way around the visas for Canada go quickly. I believe it is called BUNAC which is a working holiday for Brits and they have to prove they have at least 12 months of health insurance before they can be approved. totally not fair. My Gf is coming over on one shortly after I return.

-- Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:55 am --

Also the photo required can be done at any photographer that would do passport photos, they will date it for you and I forget the size in millimetres, but it is slightly larger than a canuck passport photo. I went to sears portraits for mine.