In my last post on Applying for a UK Youth Mobility Visa I went through what it was and how to apply for one.
After you’ve handed over the money, picked your appointment date for your biometric data to be taken and printed off everything in triplicate (hey I was taught to always be prepared, thank you Scouts) your next step is to wait till your appointment date. The appointment is just a really fancy way of saying hey we want your finger prints just in case we want to implicate you in a crime while your here. I kid honest… oh god I’m so getting strip searched on arrival.
The appointment is a breeze. They make you drive to “insert nearest capital city here” for what is a 2 minute process. That is unless you’ve worn your finger prints away like I had on my left hand pinkie finger. My appointment was in Melbourne which for the rest of you is about a 1.5 hour drive away.
Entering the consulate office you take a seat opposite the glass wall and wait to be called. Don’t try and talk to the staff behind the glass wall because your getting no love there trust me, the guy that walked in after me sure found that out.
Using the press here to talk method of PA systems your name is called and you front up to the counter and pass over the following:
- Printed visa application form (Attach your passport photo to it)
- Booking confirmation form
- Valid passport
You then get told to stick your fingers on the miniature scanner so they can scan your digits. Right hand, left hand and then the thumbs. Apparently I work too hard because as I said one of my fingers wouldn’t scan. We tried pressing on it, breathing on it and even doing the look away to be all sneaky and fool the scanner trick. Eventually they got the scans and that was it. I got back my form with a stamp on it and a half A4 size piece of paper detailing my next step.
That next step will require the following important pieces of documentation:
- Signed application form with accompanying biometric stamp of approval
- Passport sized photo (hopefully still attached to your application form)
- Current passport
- Completed self-assessment form and accompanying documents (Appendix 7 Self-Assessment Form)
The first three items are easy you have those. The fourth item as mentioned in the first post is to print off the Appendix 7 document and fill it in. They ask the obvious stuff like your name (don’t get that wrong please), age etc. The important bit is Part 4.
This section requires you to prove you have 1600 quid in the bank before you get there. The easiest way to do this is send in your latest bank statement. Just make sure its current, they require one dated within 30 days of your application. Most banks are willing to issue you a current statement but be careful there is probably going to be a fee attached to it. I suggest applying for it as soon as you apply if not sooner, banks can be a bit slow and if your pressed for time applying well.. you don’t want to know the answer to that.
Set with all my documents I purchased two express post parcels. One to send the documents down in and one for them to post it back to me, the cheap buggers won’t even foot the bill for postage back. Express post also allows you to track the parcel just in case someone looses it because after all it will contain your passport.
Then you play the waiting game. Estimated processing times can be found at this web page . Only get nervous if after 10 days you still haven’t heard anything because according to that page 98% of claims are completed in that time frame.
You will receive an email when they receive your documents and then one at the end detailing if you have been approved or not. I can tell you when I received these words in an email today I was ecstatic.
Your application has been approved and your documents will be dispatched within 2 working days.
Overall when you have the right information this process really is a breeze. The daunting task is finding out what you need. I hope that both my articles on the topic can help to serve other future applicants in Applying for the Youth Mobility Visa.
Whooo Hooo!! Congratulations Chris!
Looking forward to crashing on your floor in the UK! 😉
.-= Joel´s last blog ..Realize That There Is No Plan =-.
Thanks Joel. Awesome someone to help pay the rent 🙂
My country is bonkers, ‘youth mobility visa’ sounds like a working visa for young disabled people!!
Glad you get to come and live/work here dude. Hopefully before we leave London!
.-= sean´s last blog ..How to optimise your travel blog for the best results =-.
hahaha Sean I’d never thought of it like that but your right.
I’d love to get to London before you guys leave, at this stage it’s going to be touch and go on if I will or not. Have to play it by ear over the next couple of months.
Wow, very informative!!!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Brasil: Day 8 (Part 1) =-.
Thanks heaps Andi. Figure I’d make the process for anybody else looking to do the same thing easier. I had to research it all no point they have too.
aaah this is one tough process.. i just did it too! how long did it take in the end from the day you sent it? I need to be over there by may and am worried i wont make it if i left out a document or something.
Hey Heidi. I sent my documents off via express post. Took 5 days from receipt of getting my documents to getting approval. My express post parcel then came back to me in 2 days.
All up just under 2 weeks to get my passport back with visa in it. Hope that eases your mind a little.
thanks alot for your reply.. yeh it has i am a little relieved. turns out im not sure if my bank documents will be sufficient because one of them didnt have my full name on it but my first two initials and last name instead.. oh well the waiting game begins i guess.
thanks again!
also i sent it two days ago and havent recieved an email yet saying they recieved it? how long before you recieved an email?
I’d say you bank documents should be fine. Your passport has your full name so I wouldn’t stress too much. My Bank statement didn’t have my middle name on it at all just first and last name.
Took about 3-4 days before I got notification they had received my application. Did you send via express post? You can track the number if so. I think its a better way to send as I didn’t want my passport getting lost.
yeh sent it platinum express post and i have tracked it already and it was apparently recieved so guess i will just wait for them to open it! Thanks so much for your help i seem to have gotten more information from you than anyone i have called in the last three days. hope you enjoy the uk!
haha glad to help. It’s why I put up the blog posts. There was so many different visa websites all giving me conflicting answers.
Platinum post isn’t registered is it? I thought I remembered reading something about them not able to sign for documents is all.
no its the one that they tell you to send with so surely that part is right because its written on the official website haha. Thanks again!
Wow that seems like a lot of work for the visa, I’m wondering if travels in Asia or South America are even remotely similar to all you have to go through just to get a visa to the UK. Hope the let you in ‘sans search’ that is.
.-= Cornelius Aesop´s last blog ..Cleveland Gets Lucky =-.
Well this is a 2 years working visa. Most people do visa runs in asia from what I have seen. The most annoying part was driving down to get my finger prints taken but you get that I guess.
That sounds like quite the procedure!
My UK visa was handled by Bunac, and therefore was significantly easier to obtain, it just cost me US$400. My girlfriend went through similar things to get her US visa though .. they advised her to make sure her fingers weren’t cut, or else she’d be denied the visa!
.-= Matt´s last blog ..Monday Escape: Vejer de la Frontera, Spain =-.
Hey Matt, That’s a high price for your visa. Does it provide the same 2 year travel/work conditions or is it different?
What sort of visa did your gf get for the US. I looked at getting one there but for work I was under the impression you needed a sponsor.
I think it’s great you documented this process for others! I plan on doing the same thing for my visa 🙂 Gotta help each other out!
And CONGRATS!!! Another step closer.
Hey Heather. Thanks I’m so glad to have my visa and now almost all of my gear as well.
It’s a confusing process at times to find the information. There is just so much out there, if this helps one person then it was worth the time to write it.
are there any reasons that they could refuse this visa?
Hey Julian. I’d imagine if you didn’t meet the criteria with money etc you’d get knocked back.
Otherwise I’m guessing any criminal convictions may work against you, I know Australia makes a big deal about that one if your trying to come here.
Thanks heaps for this post, it’s put my mind at ease a lot – i’m planning a trip to the UK end of May and I’m worried about the time frame!!
I have a question and it may be a bit strange but what did you put for ‘place of issue’ on the personal details form? it asks for a city and country..is this where you applied or just AUS? thanks in advance!
Hey Liana, glad my post was useful to you. I know when I was looking up everything I needed to apply for the Youth Mobility Visa I kept running around in circles.
I just checked my application and I entered Australia for place of issue and for issuing authority. I remember thinking what do I put in those fields myself.
Let me know if you need any more info as I have a copy of my application saved.
Cheers for this bud, hopefully its saved my ass. i had my biometrics done on wednesday and posted everything off (my passports etc) and didnt even realise you needed the appendix 7 self assesment form. i just printed one off and going to send it express post tomorrow hopefully its not all to late….
No problem Blair. It’s hard to find out everything you need and I spent days finding out. Even then when I sent everything off I wasn’t sure. Glad it helped.
Question! Where you approved when you sent two sepperate parcels? I forgot my appendix 7 and I didnt get the stamp from the bank on my statement so I sent those off sepperately a few hours later. I’m really scared of being rejected due to this! Help!
Hi Deemarti,
How did you end up getting on sending the appendix 7 form after the other documents? We also didn’t realize we had to include this.
Thanks.
I’m just going through the process of getting my YM visa and this helped heaps. I was so confused with the million different websites, thank god for yours! Thanks man. I’m going for my biometric assessment today. Glad to finally get the ball rolling. Your whole blog has been very interesting!, good luck with your trip.
Hey Loraine, glad I could of been some help. I know what you mean about all the paperwork etc totally confusing eh.
The guy that tried to talk to the staff just got the blank stare from them and sat down and waited.
PS what happened to the guy who tried to talk the staff who went in behind you?
Hi Aussie Nomad,
My boyfriend is Australian and is currently going through the momentous hassle of obtaining his YM Visa so he can come back to the UK with me(I’m Scottish). It was great to hear your story, we also had to make the ‘post it or bring it in, which one?’ phone call!
I just have one question, which you may be able to help with…
When they refer to the bank statement being dated ‘no more than 30 days prior to the date you submit your application’, do they consider the date of application to be the date you started it online, or the date you actually post your completed forms with biometric-stamp-thingy? Any guidance you could give us would be great! xx
Hey Amy. I went by the date I posted my forms off to the consulate.
I didn’t have much choice either as I didn’t get a current bank statement from the bank till after the biometric appointment.
My thinking is that it needs to be as current as possible because that is the closest to the date you will head to the UK.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Nomad, that’s really helpful, we’ve been a bit stressed by the whole process so your blog has been an awesome resource! Hope you are enjoying your travels xx
Hi there, I’m not sure if you check here but I was wondering about this too. I read on another blog that they will make you redo the application if your bank statement is dated for after your application date… I’m so confused. Glad people like you are writing these blogs. By the way I’m applying from Canada so I’m not sure if that would make a difference.
Hi Christine, I’ve never heard of that before but generally you’d arrange to get your bank statement around the same time as you applied so find it a bit difficult to believe. It does state that the statement must be within 30 days of applying so I believe they assume you’ll get that first before applying.
As for applying from Canada I’m going to assume your Canadian then? If so it could be a different scenario as all of my experience is from applying as an Australian but you’d think the system was the same.
Hi there, I was just wondering do you know when the two years starts? Is it as soon as they grant the visa or once you enter the UK? I thought I saw this online somewhere but now can’t find it in the overload of info!
Hi Julie, the 2 years starts from when you choose. On the application form you pick the date you wish it to start and away you go.
I set my date to be 7-8 weeks after I landed in Europe as I am travelling around.
Hey there,
I came across your blog because I was search for this info. I just came back from the British embassy in Spain (I´m an Aussie who´s been studying a year in Spain) and they kept asking me “is that all the supporting documents you´re handing in?” “Are you sure? normally it´s more” and then I was lectured about how it´s better to not rush, etc… and my money won´t be given back!!! and my list of docs was exactly what you had.. so that made me feel better.. seriously, other than the app form, bank letter, passport, hand over the money… what else can we show them? did I say hand over the money again? oh and they made me pay 12 euros for the courier too…
Thanks for the blog mate and good luck in the UK! Europe is awesome!
No problem Rene, glad it was of use to you. Better to pay the courier and know its going to get there than hope for the best, especially since it has your passport in it.
Just wondering when applying for visa there is a question below
Have you been granted a UK visa in the last 10 years?
I once went to London for 4 days does this count as a visa? Many thanks for your help.
Hi Jen, I’d say that’s a standard tourist visa you get by default so would not count. The only visa I think it would be is if you had a work visa or similar before.
Can anyone tell me how much a youth mobility visa costs?
I know how much the application fee is but not the cost once its approved, can find it on any website. I am trying to decide whether it would be cheaper to get a visa or a passport as my dad was born in the UK.
Thanks!
Cat
Hi Cat, Apart from the application fee ($231 AUD when I applied) there is no other costs. Once you have sent off all the paperwork to the consulate and get it back your all set to buy that plane ticket.
If I had the option I would apply for UK passport through your Dad. It allows you to come and go as you please where as the visa is only valid for 2 years.
How did you find out where you needed to go for your biometric detailing? I’m so overwhelmed by this process. I’ve never travelled before so it’s going to be hectic. Thanks for your blog!
Hi Lindsey. When I applied I chose Melbourne as it was closest and they gave me the address during the application process. I’m not sure if every consulate can take the biometric test but this link will tell you where all of their consulates are http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/other-locations/.
It was a really time consuming task for me as I strugged to find all the information I needed hence my blog post. Also if you haven’t already check up my first post about the Visa process as it has more information. You can find it here: http://www.theaussienomad.com/travel-thoughts/applying-for-uk-youth-mobility-visa/
Thank you so much. I really hope I don’t have to travel to Canberra but that’s looking likely at the moment cause Sydney told me they don’t do visa applications there. Just one more quick question though. The online application says to have your itinerary, does that mean I have to book my flights before applying for the visa? Sorry for all the questions!
Hi!!!
I just found your page while searching for ‘how long it takes to process a UK youth mobility visa’!
i found both your posts really helpful and useful as I just sent my platinum postage pack off today and am so nervous!
something i found interesting that you guys have been talking about on here is the fact that the bank funds need to be confirmed from 30days before the application. I’m worried now, because my stupid bank (cough commonwealth cough) only said they could issue me with my “most recent bank statement” and that they would stamp it and sign it. I kicked up a fuss because i wasnt satified with JUST a bank statement, so I asked her (the manager of the bank) to write a formal letter confirming the funds i had as of yesterday (02/11/2010).
Do you think this will suffice?? in conjunction with the bank statement, i really hope it does. I’m super nervous.
jess 🙂
Hi Jessy Lou,
My boyfriend and I went through this visa application process earlier this year, what a momentous hassle!
The website states: ‘Evidence must be dated no more than one month before you apply’, this is just to make sure that it is recent and relevant. The funds do not have to be in your bank account for 30 days before you make your application. So, as long as your bank statement shows that you had the equivalent to GBP1600 in your account on the date you made your online application, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Send the letter with your application as well, it can’t hurt to have too much evidence! My boyfriend only actually had a letter from the bank, no bank statement, and his application was accepted. It did take about three weeks to hear back though – my nails were bitten down to my knuckles!
Hope this helps,
Amy
Hi Jessy, I too thought I wasn’t going to have a statement within the required time frame as well so like you got a letter from my bank manager stating I had the funds in my account.
As long as its on bank letterhead you won’t have a problem at all. As far as I can tell you just need verification you have the money so a bank managers letter would be fine.
Good luck on getting your visa and make sure you pack warm clothes, London is getting cold at the moment.
Wow, your blog helped me HEAPS! I’ve been going round and round in circles trying to figure out the exact process! I applied online and paid my fee on the 9th of this month, and have been trying to find out how the bank statement stuff works from there. I went into my bank the other day and asked for a printed statement, and they printed it off, but then stamped it with a stamp saying “this document is not a statement and provides basic transaction details only. Issued subject to corrections and omissions”. I now don’t know whether I should send that PLUS a letter from my bank confirming funds, or whether I should just go in and ask for a proper statement?? If anyone has any ideas, it would be so flipping helpful!!
Hi Ash, my understanding is to either get a printed bank statement like the bank normally issues. Failing that get a letter from the bank that is printed on their letterhead stating you have the money.
I don’t believe the stamped paperwork would be enough and the last thing you want is to miss out because of something like that and have to send it all off again.
You should be able to call the bank and request a statement be printed although normally they charge you for it.
Good luck and let me know if you need any more help.
Hi Your blog was a great help. My Biometrics is this Wednesday 8/12 and I applied online last week. I’m just worried about the maintenance fund evidence. I have a statement from My ANZ debit account with the funds in Australian dollars roughly $2600 in respect to the current exchange rates. I wanted to know is it okay that the funds are in a debit account and I’m also worried about the supporting documents. It feels so little for a stressfull Visa. I have my online print application, passport, bank statement, photo and Appendix 7. Wish me luck 🙂
Hi Nadia, glad my blog was of use to you. As far as I know you just need the money in your account and can’t use for example a 3k limit on your credit card, you need the actual dollars to withdraw.
haha I thought the same thing, how can they want hardly any paperwork for what is a chance to live in the UK for 2 years.
For the biometric appointment you don’t actually need the bank statement and appendix 7 form just the photo, application and booking confirmation form (take them anyway just in case as I did). You send the others off with your stamped form to the consulate so they can finish the approval.
Good luck and let me know how you get on. I applied a while ago so if anything has changed I’d love to know.
O Happy days!!! I got an Approval email today after only 6 working days. Basically the biometrics took like 5 sec and I was out of there and I posted it that day with the pre-paid return tracking post (stingy buggers) and the waiting was quite stressful for me but all is great Now..I’m off in Feb Yay Thanks a heaps cio
Glad to hear it Nadia and 6 days is record turn around time. I had to wait about 2 weeks which was some of the most nervous weeks I’ve ever had.
By feburary it might even have warmed up a bit as today started with a chilly -11 at 6am 🙂 let me know when you land and we’ll have to have a beer to welcome you to london.
Hey there,
I just have some questions, since I’m about to go through this process as well. You state here that you only need a bank statement no later than 30 days prior to your application, but on the UK visa website it stated that there had to be evidence of those funds for a period of 90 days. Have I been waiting for no reason?
Secondly, two years ago I went to the UK on Exchange and studied at uni there on a student visa. It wasn’t a working visa and I have never been employed there but I’m worried, will that affect my chances of getting the YMV? Also, I read somewhere that the visa allows you to work for only 12 months; you can stay for 2 years, but only work for one. Is that true?
Finally (so many questions, sorry) what can you tell us about the specifics of staying in the UK? By that I mean, things like health insurance, can you get it over there or do you need it here? Or is regular travel insurance enough? It’s confusing. If you could help me with this, it would be very much appreciated!
Merry Christmas and a happy New Years to you
Hi Omar, I have some blog posts in the works on your topics so don’t have all the answers but can hopefully steer you in the right direction.
I don’t remember reading that their needs to be evidence for a period of 90 days over the funds but I did apply 9 months ago so that could have changed. If you are on the border of just having enough money then perhaps wait but if your well cashed up already I’d just apply as I’ve not heard of anybody being knocked back yet.
As long as you have never taken out a YMV you will be fine to apply for it. Other visas don’t affect it. As long as you meet the criteria which I have outlined in my other Visa application post.
As for the working for 2 years. They changed the rules some 18 months ago to allow you to work for 2 years instead of 1. The rules were previously as you had stated, stay for 2 years but only work for 1.
As for health cover, having a visa to live and work here allows you to make use of NHS (National Health Service) which as far as I am aware allows for free visits to the doctor etc.
I know some travel insurance policy’s wont cover you if you start living in a country as your not travelling anymore. I haven’t looked at what the NHS will cover yet but I am going to write a post about it in the near future.
Hope that helps you out somewhat. Sorry I can’t answer everything but you’ve prompted me to get blog posts on these topics done so it is clear for others.
Thanks so much for this post! I was very worried about the visa process but thanks to your step by step process it was a breeze! I applied for a mobility youth visa around 3 weeks ago when I was offered an Au Pair position with a family in Cambridge. I have received my visa since and I’am heading over to England tomorrow for a year. So thanks again for your posts!
Hi Samuel, I’m glad you found my post useful and good luck over here as its mighty chilly at the moment.
so, ive just recently made enough money in CND($2780) and applied online for my visa. what im worried about is that i didnt have that amount 30 days prior to “demonstrate” and my visa appliction is only valid 30 days after the date of submission. i have my biometric appointment in vancouver in afew days and im worried this will be an issue.
what i do have is a letter from my bank simply stating my name, account number, funds, and date. i could print off a statment going back a month but it would show i didnt have enough money then. will this be a issue?
im just really worried because i have to drive 5 hours to vancouver to get my biometrics.. but theres no point if the money thing is a problem.. please help! soon!
Nathan I assume the process is the same for you as it is here in Australian but I can’t be sure. I would take the letter from your bank providing it is printed on bank letterhead and see how you go.
In saying that if you only have the minumum amount of money required to get into the UK I would be hoping you have access to or have a job ready to go when you get here as it won’t take long to burn through that money.
so, i did my drive to Vancouver on wednesday for my appointment and sent off my documents. my visa was issued on friday, and i had my passport and visa back on the monday. so 6 days it took.. i realized that they make it sound alot more difficult then it actually is.
Congrats Nate, thats one quick turn around. It is certainly made out to be a lot more difficult than it is in reality for sure.
DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT a service in Uk for visas called http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk They say they can get your visa solved and say they are endorsed by OISC. BUT they are asking a large amt of money up front! It sounds abit “dodgy” and am worried my friend will be ripped off with money and no result and get in trouble legally!
Have you heard of them…? please can someone help or advise
Bob the process is really simple to apply for from Australia. If you read over the two posts I have written about getting it myself you can see the cost should only be about $150 which is the application fee you have to pay to the embassy.
Given how easy the process is I can’t see the need to pay someone to do it for you considering they would require your passport etc.
Hey, great forum! I just had a question…got an email today saying my Visa was being processed, and it got me all worried (again) that I included everything! I have read things on here about itinerary being included….at no stage did I find anything asking about that…so I didn’t include it…..kinda worried now……
Hi Brad, no need to include an itinerary or anything like that. They jut want to check you are who you said you were and that you can afford to stay there and not be a drain on the system. Good luck and hope the visa comes through soon.
Hey Aussie Nomad,
Thanks so much for all the info! This blog has saved my sanity throughout this process! I was just wondering if you ended up sending your documents to your biometric appointment or taking them there with you? I have to fly interstate to get this done, which I am not too impressed about.
Any info would be much appreciated!
Hi Pru, No I didn’t send off the paperwork to the biometric appointment. I took it all with me and everything was fine. I took everything just in case as I had to drive over an hour to get there. If you are worried do the same but you should be fine. Good luck.
Hi, i have a quistion, i have allready been accepted for the visa, i have the paper work in my passport, but it was three months ago i was accepted, and my time starts in a week, the 20th of january, What can i expext at customs and so on, will they want to see proof of funds when i arrive in the U.K? Given that its been 3 months since i gave proof at my aplication? Or do i need any other documents besides whats in my Passport? I imagine its as simple as answering a few quistions, showing my passport, getting stamped and thats it?
Josh mate all the hard work is over just rock up at the airport and jump on a plane 🙂 You will just get asked the usual questions on entering a country.
They will want to know the address your heading too in the UK so just give them your hostel address or similar. Now hurry up and get over here and freeze your ass off with the rest of us.
Hiya,
I am lucky enough to have a British passport (phew!), but my partner is applying for the YMV in the next few weeks. I have a few questions and hopefully they aren’t too repetitive! We are from NZ, so I am guessing the protocols will be similar to Oz. We are heading over early May.
1. Maintenance funds. The boy has enough money, and after going to the bank requesting evidence of this they printed off something that I thought wasn’t overly professional looking, stamped and signed it. The statement shows how much money is in his account, name and number of account. I was wondering if he should get something else to supplement this, or will it be sufficient?
2. 3 months – is this based on 90 days or the count of months re: We are leaving in May, so he should apply in Feb – 3 Months previous?
Sorry if these are ridiculous questions. Beginning to fret!
🙂 Your blog is incredibly helpful. Ta.
Hey Claire, I have to say I envy that passport of yours.
As for the maintenace funds, from what I read and found out you needed either a proper printed statement like the banks normally send out every so often or to get a letter from your bank manager stating you have the funds and it had to be printed on bank letterheard.
If the paperwork is just a quick print without the bank letterheard etc then I’d go back and get something else or just request a statement be posted out to you.
I think I may have forgotten something about the application process as I’m not sure what you mean by the 3 months. All up it took me about a month from apply time to getting my visa but yes I’d apply as soon as you can just in case anything holds up the application.
Hope that answers your questions.
Nomad I couldn’t thank you enough for documenting the entire process. I’ve been looking through tones of sites and it hardly got me anywhere until I found yours. Simple and easy to follow. I just got my biometrics done yesterday, had to fly in to melbourne just for something that took 2 minutes, there goes $217 which sucked but oh well. Gonna post it in today and hope for the best.
Just got maybe a couple of questions though. I previously had a child passport but it’s expired and lost and they say you gotta provide that as well as proof of immigration history or something? I ain’t to sure. Secondly I’ve had 1 traffice offence which of course I put down on my application but would that anyhow lead to a refusal? I’m nervous because of that and keep thinking whether or not I would need a driving history of some sort. Bloody confusing trying to figure out whether or not you need this or need that. One last thing I’ve read that they sometime disregard your travel date you put down on your application and advised to put include a cover letter just in case would that be necessary?
Mark I had a previous child’s passport as well but couldn’t find it in time so just wrote down that it was lost on the form.
As for traffic offences I don’t remember writing that down but I could be wrong. Depends how bad your driving is I guess but considering most of my friends that live here don’t drive let alone have a car I can’t see it being a problem.
As for the cover letter and change of travel date. I’ve never heard of the cover letter and my travel date wasn’t changed from the one I set on the form. As the visa comes back pasted into your passport it can’t be changed from what you set.
Hey man, cheers for this.. thanks for detailing the process, it all makes a lot more sense after reading about your experience. I’m going in for biometric data tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
Cheers
Andy.
Cheers Andy, and good luck on the process. It’s really not difficult at all once you work out what you need. It’s just finding out the information first.
YOU ARE A SAINT.
Who would think that once you’ve actually completed the application that it was this easy? They fill you with so much jargon that it makes it seem so confusing and your blog has been a great help.
I have heard that a lot of people do include cover letters so I’m thinking of doing so. I have a previous passport (doesn’t appear to be a child’s passport but I was 11 or so when I got it) so I’m going to include that and I’m also going to include a printout of my latest transaction history of my bank account (in addition to the obvious official statement dated less than 30 days prior).
But to actually qualify, the only things I really need are:
– passport
– passport sized photos
– printed application
– bank statement
– appendix 7
Correct? It just seems like too little! Also, the passport is enough to satisfy the age requirement, yes? Perhaps I’ll throw in my birth certificates too.
(Yes, I am pretty paranoid.)
Katrina sounds like your well on top of everything you need. I never included a cover letter just posted off the paperwork you listed and waited. Oh and yes the passport will be enough proof of your age.
Yeah, I read on some website that it’s still really good to include a cover letter, so I thought, “Why not?” I’m going to include my old passport, my birth certificate and a transaction history print-out to support the mandatory documents.
If I’m refused, I’m going to be very disappointed because I don’t think I could be more pedantic.
haha Katrina, I’m sure you will be fine mate. Do let me know how you get on.
I just got this email this afternoon:
“Your visa will be despatched shortly. Passports can normally be collected from the Visa Application Centre after 3 days. Applicants in Australia and New Zealand should allow 3 days before tracking their documents via the local post. UKBA-Manila Visa Hub”
That implies it was approved, correct? I mean, if they’re despatching a visa, it MUST be approved. I’m like, half nervous/half really excited.
Time to jump through the roof Katrina 🙂 Look me up when you arrive and we can share a celebratory pint.
Got my passport back on Thursday – visa inside. With the public holiday on Friday, let’s just say I had more than a FEW celebratory drinks Thursday night.
Your blog has been such great help for me, made everything seem so damn easy. How long does it usually take until they send you a email saying they recieve your application? It’s been a week and a half now since I posted it and according to the tracking info it’s been delivered. A tad nervous.
Jason the turn around on my application was about 2-3 weeks from memory. I never got notification they had received my form but did at the end once it had been approved.
Wait it out and if you are worried a call can’t hurt.
Passport came today dad signed for it cause I was at work and suprised me with it. Strange I didn’t get a email notification of them recieving it. Doesn’t matter though I am stooookkkkeeeedddd! only took 7 days from when they recieved it. Faster then I expected.
Congrats Mark, look me up when you land in London and I’ll shout you a pint to celebrate.
Your posts are so helpful! I have booked in for my biometric appt on Tuesday and have completed all the online information. I am not sure whether I am to post of all my supporting documents incl bank statements, BEFORE my appointment so they have it when i go to my appointment or AFTER my appointment? A response would be great.
Hi Em, no need to post the form in beforehand. I thought I had to do that as well as the online application lead me to think that. Just take your app form, appointment letter, passport and photo to the biometric test.
You then post it all off including extra info afterwards.
The problem I am facing is that my savings account is in my mothers name, i transfer money in there every week. The reason I do this is so i cannot spend the money. The problem I have now is that I am trying to prove i have the required amout which i do but it is is mums account. I have sent bank statements proving my weekly transfers and a stat dec from mum.
The other option I have before I send it off is that i transfer the money back into my savings account but I thought this would look sneaky and hard to prove where it came from.
I am not sure which option to do any ideas??
Thanks!
Hi Em sorry for the delay I missed your comment when my inbox got overloaded. That’s a difficult one and I hope by now its all sorted for the better. If not and depending on when you plan to leave I actually setup a savings account with ubank.com.au as they are internet only based.
To get the money out I needed to transfer it and was such a pain that I left it there. Automatic debits came out and saved me all the problems.
Depending on when you are applying vs when you leave you could do that and get the money in there. Otherwise a quick call to the UK consulate might be worth it to save any problems. Hope that helps and again sorry for the delay.
I also use ubank.com and they can be a real pain to get money out of as they need to SMS you a code to retrieve the money so they do work pretty effectively in regards to stopping you from spending the money. Good option to look into.
Hey, I just found your website and it is super helpful. I have a question I’m not sure if you will be able to answer but would really appreciate some help.
On the (Appendix 7 Self-Assessment Form)
Completed self-assessment form and accompanying documents you mention, if you click on the link, the form itself states
“Please ensure you also complete the main personal details form”
What is this form?
Please let me know!
THANKS!
I’ve not got access to the form at the moment Emma but I’d suggest it was the main form you would have filled out online. I can’t think of anything else that it might be.
thanks for your blog.. it was really helpful!
when you posted off all your documents after your biometrics were taken.. was it to a Post Office Box in Sydney?? can you remember??? because the Australia Post Platnium Express (which they suggest you use on the website) needs to be signed for.. but there isnt anyone at a PO box to sign??..
im going for my biometrics appointment tomorrow! and hoping to send them off straight after before the easter/anzac break starts!
pleeeeeeease help 🙂
Hey Emma, no from memory my information was posted off to Canberra but I can check later as I have the emails somewhere.
I sent mine off as registered post and didn’t have a problem but it wasn’t to a PO box. Ask at your appointment to be sure as I think they gave me the address to send the information too.
ok thank you, i’ll let you know how i go tomorrow and see if they give me an address… although it says im not aloud to ask the people for any information regarding visa’s… so we’ll see 🙂
I just had a quick look and the email I got to say they had received my paperwork had Canberra on it. Oh and yes isn’t it funny how they say don’t speak to the staff about the visa stuff.
Good luck mate.
picked up my passports from the post office today with my visa in it! yay!!! another 40 days or so and ill be over there! 🙂
I just wanted to jump in here, you do have to send the information to a PO Box in Sydney. The processing centre moved from Canberra to Manila mid-March and I think when you send the information to Sydney, they then forward it to Manila. I sent mine via Express Post Platinum and it was received fine at the PO Box. I think that they possibly leave a card for them to pick it up from the Post Office in person? Either way, it was received fine and seems to be sent back fine (it’s waiting at the Post Office for me to sign for and pick up – excited to see the outcome!)
Thanks a lot Katrina as I was not aware of that. Can’t believe they process it in Manila now, just crazy.
Yeah, I don’t know if it’s a temporary thing or not, but it’s pretty ridiculous. I think that’s why my email differed from the standard ‘approved’ and ‘refused’ emails that I’ve seen floating around the web. Manila probably have their own version of the emails.
thank you both so much 🙂 .. got the biometrics done today, had to take an hour and a half lunch break at work just go go to the city for a process that takes literally 5 seconds, its seems crazy! … you’re right, they did give me a sheet telling me to send to the above address.. which was the sydney po box. 🙂
posting everything off on saturday.. then its just time to cross my fingers and hope it gets accepted.. the damn easter/anzac breaks gonna make the process take even longer 🙁 boo!
just jumping in , but how long did it take for your visa to be approved and your documents to be sent back from manilla?? i’m just wondering because i leave for the uk in 17 days and want to know if it is pushing it way too far to apply for a mobility visa now. thanks
Fiona you have no chance I don’t think sorry. You first need to apply onlne and book an interview to have your finger prints taken and then they sent your passport away.
Most reports I’ve heard its a 2 week deal from just sending away your passport.
I am hoping that this is standard practice for Sydney as i sent mine to the GPO Box and it said it was ‘delivered to a T Zainuddin’ but then i checked the next day and it said it was ‘awaiting collection at from post office -gpo box centre sydney’ so i am very much hoping they will pick it up soon and that this is something that happens to everyone!? SO nerveracking to think that it will take even longer to get the Manila although will take half the time to process the application! i applied for YMS in 2009 and it took 6 weeks to get my visa and now it takes max 3! am now applying for Settlement visa to join my husband in the UK. i remember how stressed i was applying for YMS when all you need to do is prove such little! my settlement application weighed 2.5kg and took 3 months to gather all the requirements! If i had of known how easy YMS was back when i applied i would have saved myself alot of stress compare to settlement visa 🙂
Hey, I agree with everyone, this blog has been a blessing!! slightly embarrassing, but before reading your blog, I was getting ready to post, yes, post, everything to my biometrics appointment! Just a bit silly. The confusion came from the two emails I received straight after I completed my online app. One said I needed this, this and this for my appointment in Melbourne and the other said if I lived in Australia, I needed to post everything. After I read this blog, the penny dropped, and I realized it is after the biometric data is taken that I need to send off everything.
Well, done biometrics, (yeah they are a grumpy lot) now just gotta get everything together to send off. Off to London in November this year, which is quite an exciting prospect.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the very kind words Aleesha. I thought I had to post my forms off for the biometric interview as well so you are not alone there it was worded so strangely.
You’ll miss what passes for summer here in the UK arriving in November but it’s not all bad, the snow last year was cool.
Hey thanks for your blog.
I am in the process of applying for my UK working visa. Under the required document section it is asking for expired passports. I have a expired child passport that has been destroyed. Am I still eligible even though I can’t provide this?
Thanks
Laura
Hi Laura, I had an expired child’s passport as well but couldn’t find it. From memory when filling out the form I said I had an old passport but said I no longer had it. It was an option but I’m just guessing because it was 12 months ago now. I can possibly chase up the form to try and jog my memory if you like.
yes it gives you an option still to say whether you have the expiered passpots still or not, and you can mention why 🙂
Thanks, I called the help line (cost me $11!!) and they told me just to mention it in a cover letter. Thanks for your help and fingers crossed!
That’s interesting, because I was told by the visa help line (the 1902 number) that I didn’t need to include my child’s passport, nor stipulate this in a covering letter. It was enough just to state that the number was ‘unknown’ in the ‘Passport Number’ filed and select the ‘expired’ button. Hopefully this is fine…
Just wondering if anyone has had a refusal due to a license suspension for drink driving ? I was about to apply today and got license suspended last night- will that affect my chances of approval ?
Jules nobody I know of has been in that situation so I can’t help unfortunately. How long will you be without the licence?
My friend was in the same situation and he got rejected when applying for a Canadian Visa because he had his licence suspended for dangerous driving. I’m not sure if the UK visa is the same but it does ask in the application form if you have had any traffic offences (drink driving/ dangerous driving ect).
im in NZ and i applied for visa 3 weeks ago. i declared that i had a dangerous driving conviction, and my visa was rejected. Apparently dangerous driving + drink driving is taken very serously over there. which is rubbish because im sure a lot of pomms have got into nz/aus with worse records than that!
if you got suspended on demerits you should be okay though
Thanks for the comment Sam, that’s useful info for anybody applying.
It’s funny but having been in the UK for nearly 12 months now I’ve seen very little about drink driving etc. Think it’s partly because I’m based in London and there is a pub on every corner, you just don’t need to drive.
Thanks, guys. I have applied anyway, sent it off last Monday so I am awaiting a reply. I put a copy of the Traffic infringement in the app- its not a conviction as such but still a stupid thing to do. Anyway, I am still going even if for three months or I can also apply under the Heritage visa as mum is English. It will just be a big waster of money if it is not approved.
Hey Jules, let us know how you go mate. In the same situation as you.
Glad to say Visa has been approved- yay. Can anyone remember how long it takes from the approval email to getting your passport back with the visa in it ? It says you can track it in 3 days but no tracking info is provided ?
Congrats Jules. Think I got my visa back about 3 days after the email.
Thank you. Passport and visa received. Now to plan the trip….
Hey Sam, dod your offences happen at the same time or separate incidences? Eg the drink driving+ dangerous driving.
Hey thank you so much for this information!! I feel so much more confident now after reading the info & all the comments – until now I had only heard the horror stories about applying for this visa 🙂
One quick question, I am about to complete the online application and it says to make sure I have an address & itinerary before I start. We haven’t booked anything as yet (just the flights) so I was wondering if I really need this info – will it make it more likely for my visa to be approved?
Thanks again,
Cass
Cass I had only booked my flights when I applied so you should be fine. My trip had me spend 2 months in Europe before my visa started so I had nothing to tell them at time of application.
I think as long as you have an address of where you are going when you land in the UK it should be fine.
Hey,
I don’t remember having to provide a UK address in the YMS visa application – have I missed something?! I’ve sent mine off and am waiting for it now..
Cheers
Fel
Hey,the info you shared here is excellent and good value. I’m just wondering if they require you to send the forms off via Express Post on the day of your appointment or can you post them the next day etc. I’ve got a fair amount of time between my appointment and when I leave and an extra day or two to get a proof of funds document would be handy
Cal you can’t send off your forms until you have had your biometric appointment. After that I don’t know how long you have to get everything to the visa processing centre but I’d imagine you can’t wait weeks. A couple of days shouldn’t hurt though.
cheers for the blog, was very helpful!
just sent mine off today, got 3 1/2 weeks to hear back so heres hoping it gets back in time!
will report back on time duration once i hear back.
only thing im slightly conserned about is that the online form was completed 2 days before the balance went above the 1600 gpb, but my stamped/signed statment was from about a week and a half after the online form and there was atleast 3000gbp on the time of printing…
hoping this wont be an issue, as it seems stupid that they would care since technically even closer to the date of departure i still have more than the required money.
Rob as long as you bank statement or letter from the bank shows you have £1600 or more in there you shouldn’t have a problem. It needs to be there before they process the application so if the paperwork says you have the money you will be fine.
cheers, yeah assumed as much… but they way some sites word it is so stupid!
yewww… all done!
heard back last night that it is being sent back from manilla and can be tracked after 3 days or something like that!
so from the day of posting it out (same day as biometrics) to the day i heard back, was 8 working days.
what a relief, got 2 weeks to get it back so much calmer now haha.
on a side note… a mate got refused a ansestry visa due to a technicallity so he’s going to go for a YM visa…
any idea if you can apply for one from another country outside of the UK?
or do you have to apply for it from within Australia?
cheers!
Robbie
Robbie I am fairly sure you need to apply from OZ as the passport has to be sent off and you would need it while abroad but I could be wrong.
Hi Nomad,
So i have a question im not sure you can answer, but its worth a shot as i cant find them anywhere else..
Im in process of applying for my working visa, all organised and ready to send tues (damn monday being a public holiday) Just want this thing already as we are leaving in 6 weeks!
I have a drink driving offence from 3 years ago, blew 0.6, loss of licence for 6 months and no convictions since. will this affect my visa? im so worried!
and also on the sheet that i got from the consulate in melbourne “what to do next” it says if you have any criminal convictions including traffic offences to provide relevant documentation…. what do they mean> and I dont have any records as I got rid of them when it happened. so what should I do? really need help. thanks so much!!!!
Abby do not send your application until you have called the court where you were convicted and get a court extract of your case. They can scan and email this to you This will need to clearly show the date, type and outcome of the offence. Plus you will need to provide proof you have paid it. You will need to send this with your application or you will almost certainly be refused and have to lodge again. If you send what I described you should get approved no worries chicken curries. Nearly every Aussie has a DUI offence.
I can’t help Abby but I’d say Simon is on the money. My preference for anything is send as much info as possible, especially when it costs so much to apply and your 6 week time scale.
Remember if you havent actually been convicted you dont have a crminal conviction..being suspended or cancelled isnt a criminal conviction. I put down my suspension (which is only a traffic infringement) not a conviction and was approved. Leaving in 2 weeks- yay
hey,
Your blog has been like a life line for me!! I am currently in the process of applying for the YMS to get over to the UK to be with my partner. I just have a couple of questions I was wondering if you could help me with? Do you know if there is any way tk find out whether Australia has allocated all it’s 35,000 places yet? I am hoping to arrive in the UK on the 5th of January. Also, what sort of ticket do you need? Is just an open ended ticket okay? Thank you for the helpful blog, hope everything over inthe UK is going well for you!! Sally 🙂
Hi Sally, I’m afraid there is no way to find out if the full quota of applications have been used or not. You just have to apply and hope for the best but to be honest I’ve never heard of anybody missing out yet.
As for the flight you can arrive on a one way ticket or whichever you feel you want to pay for. As you will have the visa you become a citizen for the length of it so don’t need to worry about return flights for 2 years.
Hi Simon,
How do you know you need proof of payment? I have scoured the website and the guidance notes and can’t find anything in relation to proof of payment. I know when you fill in the online application form and say that you have a conviction, they request a copy of the conviction but that’s all it says. Can you let me know where you read that? Thanks.
Tom
Found it:
http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/visiting-uk/visas/important-information/
It would be really nice if they could put all the information in one place. So far I have had to use the UKBA website, the UK in Australia website, the guide to supporting documents and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) of the Points Based System Policy Guidance.
Cheers
Tom
Hey, did anyone like me forget to include the self assessment points calculator print out in their application and be refused?
thanx aussie nomad your site was very helpful and straight to the point! hey just got my passport back with visa attached!!! funny though i didnt get an email saying it was approved, if i had known they dont always send an email of approval i wouldn’t have been checking my email 100 times a day!!! but its all sorted now and only took 11 working days in total. i also had a drink driving charge from about 3 years ago where i blew 0.179 and lost my licence for 15 months, i wasn’t sure if i had a conviction or not cause i had no record of it either. so on the application i just answered no to the traffic conviction question and hoped for the best… and obviously it worked out!!! hope that puts your mind at ease a bit. anyway im so happy and look out UK here i come!!!!
Hi would anyone be able to help me? My boyfriend got an email back from the Manilla office saying his visa was being dispached on the 16 June. Its now more than a week later and he still hasn’t recieved it in the post. Did it take this long for other people or is there reason to panic that his passport etc are floating about. Or does he need to pick it up from somewhere? The email said something about collecting the passport from the Visa Application center? I just know that when I got mine a couple months ago it got sent back to me pretty quickly and I didn’t need to pick it up from anywhere. Any answers would be appreciated 🙂
I think it was about 10-14 days and the really surprising thing was it just arrived in the letter box when I got home from work- didnt have to sign for it or anything!