Who the February 2026 ballot applies to
The February 2026 Youth Mobility ballot is open only to Hong Kong SAR Chinese passport holders and Taiwanese nationals aged between 18 and 30.
Age is assessed at the date you submit your visa application, not the date you enter the ballot. Applicants who turn 31 before submitting their Youth Mobility Scheme application will be refused, even if they were selected in the ballot.
Applicants also need to meet the personal circumstances requirements at the time of application. You cannot have children under 18 who are financially dependent on you at the date of application. You also need to show savings of at least £2,530, held in your own account for at least 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before the date of application. Note that shortfalls, recent deposits or third-party funds are common reasons for refusal. If in doubt, take advice.
Applicants who hold multiple nationalities apply using an eligible passport.
If you do not hold a Hong Kong SAR passport or Taiwanese nationality, you cannot enter this ballot, even if you live in Hong Kong or Taiwan or hold residence rights there. This is because for most other Youth Mobility Scheme nationalities, there is no ballot. Those applicants can apply directly for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa at any time, provided places remain available for that nationality in the relevant year.
| Youth Mobility Scheme: At a Glance | Key details |
|---|---|
| Eligible nationalities | Only Hong Kong SAR Chinese passport holders and Taiwanese nationals can enter the February 2026 ballot. |
| Age requirement | You must be aged 18 to 30 at the date you plan to enter the UK, not the date you enter the ballot. |
| Ballot dates | The ballot opens at 00:01 on 10 February 2026 and closes at 00:01 on 12 February 2026, Hong Kong SAR time. |
| Selection limit | Each nationality has an annual allocation of 1,000 places for 2026, with places awarded through the ballot process. |
| Funds required | You need to show at least £2,530 in personal savings, held for the required period and available at application stage. |
| Deadline after selection | Successful applicants have 90 days from selection to submit a full visa application and provide biometrics. |
| Visa costs | The visa application fee is £298, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full length of stay. |
| If not selected | Unsuccessful ballot entries do not count as refusals and do not prevent you from entering future ballots. |
Ballot dates and entry process
The first Youth Mobility Scheme ballot for 2026 opens at 00:01 Hong Kong SAR time on 10 February 2026 and closes at 00:01 Hong Kong SAR time on 12 February 2026. Late entries are not accepted, and there is no discretion to reopen missed ballots.
Entering the ballot is free and is done through the Home Office email-based process. Applicants should follow the instructions exactly and submit only one entry. Multiple or incorrectly formatted entries risk disqualification.
Selection is random and demand usually exceeds the number of available places. Although there is no cap on ballot entries, each nationality is limited to 1,000 visas for the year. Being selected gives you an opportunity to apply, not a guaranteed visa.
| Stage | Details | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Ballot opens | 10 February 2026 at 00:01 (Hong Kong SAR time) | Submit one correctly formatted ballot entry as soon as the window opens. |
| Ballot closes | 12 February 2026 at 00:01 (Hong Kong SAR time) | Ensure your entry has been sent before the deadline, late entries are not accepted. |
| Selection notice | Home Office notifies selected applicants by email | Check your email carefully and keep evidence of the selection notice. |
| Application window | 90 days from the date of selection | Prepare funds, documents and biometrics early to avoid missing the deadline. |
| Visa decision | After biometrics and application submission | Do not make irreversible travel plans until permission is granted. |
What happens if you are selected
If you are selected, you will be invited to submit a full Youth Mobility Scheme visa application. You have 90 days from the date of selection to complete the application, pay the fees and provide biometric information. Missing this deadline means losing your place.
The application fee is £298. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full length of your stay. For Youth Mobility workers, the surcharge costs £776 per year of leave granted.
Once granted, the visa allows you to live in the UK for up to two years. You can work in most roles without sponsorship, study and be self-employed within the scheme rules. You cannot extend the Youth Mobility Scheme visa or apply for another Youth Mobility Scheme visa in the future, although switching into a different immigration route may be possible if you meet the requirements. Take advice on your options and immigration status planning.
If you are not selected
If you are not selected in the February 2026 ballot, you are not penalised and you remain eligible to enter future ballots. A second ballot is expected later in the year, although dates are confirmed by the Home Office closer to the time.
An unsuccessful ballot entry is not a refusal and does not appear on your immigration history. You can re-enter as long as you continue to meet the age and eligibility requirements at the time of travel.
Applicants approaching the upper age limit should consider the timing carefully, as missing one ballot may remove eligibility altogether.
DMS Perspective
The Youth Mobility Scheme is one of the few UK routes that does not require employer sponsorship. For many applicants, it is the most flexible way to gain UK work experience quickly.
However, the capped and competitive nature of the Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan ballots means outcomes are uncertain. Applicants who need certainty, longer-term residence or a route to settlement may need to consider alternative visa options alongside the ballot.
Choosing when to enter the ballot, how close you are to the age limit and whether you have a viable backup plan can make a material difference to your options.
Need Assistance?
To discuss your application under the Youth Mobility Scheme, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our UK legal advisers, for guidance on eligibility, the process or any other aspect of your UK-bound immigration plans.
