Over 3 years ago I posted about how to apply for a Tier 5 UK Youth Mobility Visa (previously called the working holiday visa) as an Australian. I’d struggled with finding the correct information so thought to share my experience with the world in the hopes it would help somebody else. The response to my posts has been nothing short of amazing since then so to all of you who’ve joined the discussing by leaving a comment and providing more information as the process has changed I can’t thank you enough.
With so many comments full of great information I’ve decided to pull the best bits out and bring them together into one easy to read Ultimate Reference Guide on the Youth Mobility Visa. If you have a question that’s not answered by the below please leave a comment and I’ll get it answered.
To get this underway lets run over the application process as a few things have changed and I want you all to understand whats required to apply for the Tier 5 UK Visa or working holiday as it was once called.
Youth Mobility Visa – Working Holiday Visa Guide
Eligibility Requirements
- Available to anyone from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco, Hong Kong, Taiwan & Republic of Korea. (link)
- Must be over the age of 18 and under 31 years of age at the time of application. (link)
- Have £1,890 Pounds (Approx $3490 AUD as of 18th April 2016) in available funds at the time of applying. (link)
- You must apply for the visa outside of the UK or from a country where you have citizenship or a valid visa that allows you to live/work there (link)
Costs
- The Application cost for the Youth Mobility Visa is £230 Pounds (Approx $ 221 AUD as of 18th April 2016) (link)
- If applying from Brisbane, Canberra or Perth there will also be an application fee to pay of $105 AUD at the time of your biometric appointment
- To have your passport couriered back to you once it’s approved you can pay $24 AUD otherwise it needs to be collected from the office where you had your biometrics taken
Application Documents Required
- Complete application form online
or download and complete with a pen(offline applications are no longer accepted you must apply online) - Passport sized recent color photo (link)
- Original proof of funds document. This is recommended to be an official bank statement but a letter from your bank printed on their letterhead and stamped will also be ok. It must included your name, account number, date, balance in excess of £1890 pounds and logo from your bank. (link and link)
Completed Appendix 7 Form (link)– Seems to have been made redundant with the new online application process- Valid Passport for the duration of your visa period with a free page for the visa to be stuck on
- Completed IHS Healthcare form and paid the fee of up to £300 for 2 years in the UK. (link).
All the above needs to be original documents meaning no photocopies, eftpos receipts or falsified paperwork.
Application Process
The whole process starts with filling out the online application form. Most of this is fairly straight forward asking for details about you. As part of the application process you’ll get to pick the start date for when your visa will begin. Keeping in mind that this date must be within 3 months of when you are completing your application. So if you intend to arrive in the UK on the 1st September you’ll need to be applying for the visa no earlier than the 1st June of the same year.
Once completed you’ll be given the option to pick a time to attend your biometric appointment. This appointment is required for them to collect a copy of your finger prints which will be used when arriving in the UK on your visa. You’ll be asked to give (usually one finger) them when being processed by customs. The entire appointment takes all of about 30-45 minutes ( be there 15 minutes early) and you will need to bring with you the following documents:
- Completed and printed online application form
- bank statement and other supporting documents required for the application
- Passport photo meeting above mentioned specifications
- Appointment booking confirmation letter
- Passport
- IHS Reference Number
- A second valid form of ID like a drivers licence
Before you attend your biometric appointment you’ll need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge (IHS). This is referenced as an IHS form. The first step is to run through this checklist to see if you need to pay a fee or not IHS healthcare checklist. If you are from Australia or New Zealand as of the 6th April 2016 you now need to pay a fee if you intend to live in the UK for longer than 6 months. The total fee is £300 to cover 2 years living in the UK.
To get your IHS reference number you need to go to this application page and click start now at the bottom. Follow the prompts and upon completion you will be emailed an IHS reference number that you should write down on your printed visa application. I’d also advise you to print off the email and take it to your biometric appointment as well due to how new this option is, it may save you some stress that way.
The biometric appointment process changed in late March 2014 and is now handled by a 3rd party visa processing company called VFS Global (except for in Adelaide which uses the old system). On attending one of their centers you’ll collect a token and wait for your turn to be called.
When called you will have your paperwork checked, pay your booking fee if applying in Brisbane, Canberra or Perth and then given a receipt which you need to keep for pickup of your passport if collecting it. At this time you can also pay to have your passport couriered back to you instead of returning to the processing office to collect it.
The second step is to have your fingerprints taken and have a digital photo of yourself taken, before they take all of your documents send if off on your behalf for processing. There is no need to provide your own envelopes for processing as the visa office is responsible for sending off and getting your passport back.
If applying in Adelaide then please follow the steps below, all others are to abide by the above.
You’ll leave the biometric appointment with a stamped application form and documentation on where to post your completed application and supporting documents off to. At last check you have 14 days from your biometric appointment to get your documents in the post to be processed.
It is advised to post your documents off in a platinum express post envelope and to included a second one for posting back to you. Take note of the tracking numbers on the envelopes for your own reference.
The above is a general overview for the entire application process. There have been major changes to the process this year (2014) with a revamped UK visa website and new processing options for applying. While I do my best to provide the most accurate information it is not always possible. If you notice a mistake or have details that can help others please leave a comment and I’ll update my records.
The Youth Mobility Visa FAQ
To make life easier I’ve also hand-picked a selection of questions and problems others have experienced and outlined them all below to save you trawling through over 500 comments.
Is the online application process confusing you?
In the last few weeks of 2013 the UKBA office rolled out a beta version of the new online application process. This has been met with quite a bit of confusion as sections of the application process have changed or aren’t being accepted correctly, which can be confusing if you’ve been researching the process online.
The problems I’m currently aware of are:
You receive an error when clicking Book Appointment – This error seems to have no solution other than to try and lodge your application again with a different email address.
UK Phone number being listed where your Australian one should be – This seems common and an obvious bug in the system, you can either leave it as is or hand write in the correct number. I imagine this will be fixed soon.
Your biometric appointment time is booked for say 2pm but it shows at 1pm on your letter – A fix seems to go back in and pick it again otherwise just turn up early so you don’t miss it.
I don’t have a UK Address or Phone Number
The new application form now ask for a UK phone number and address of you when applying. As you are yet to arrive in the UK I think this is beyond stupid to ask for but there you go. My advice is to put down the address and phone number of the place you intend to stay on arrival in the UK. This address will also form part of the where you will collect your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) from so be careful putting down just any address.
Not sure what a question is asking?
The Youth Mobility Visa form can be confusing so be sure to read the Guidance Notes provided by the UKBA office for help in deciphering exactly what they are asking for. This document lists notes for all questions asked on the forms to help you complete them.
How many points did you score for Attributes, English, and Maintenance?
On the application form you are asked for the number of points for Attributes, English and Maintenance. The English section does not need to be completed as it does not apply to this visa type. To calculate the numbers for the other box’s use the points calculator on the UKBA website or refer to your Appendix 7 form and get the numbers from that.
Can I fast track or get priority processing of my visa?
With the new changes to the visa process you can now apply to fast track your visa application. Costs to get priority visa processing are £100 for non-settlement applications and £300 for settlement ones. I believe this visa falls under the non-settlement category but can not confirm this.
To order priority processing of your visa you need to purchase it before attending your biometric appointment. To order the service you need to do so on this page. Then take the receipt of payment along to your biometric appointment for processing.
They aim to process all non-settlement applications within 5 days and settlement applications within 10. Again I believe this visa falls under the non-settlement category but can not confirm.
This service is not available to people attending an appointment in Adelaide.
Is there a biometric appointment office near me?
Processing offices for the biometric appointment are as below. Of note that all but Adelaide are run by VFS Global.
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Canberra
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Adelaide
The address’ for these offices can be found here. If you don’t live near one of these offices then you’ll need to make the trip by land, sea or air to have your visa processed.
Do I post my application form off before the biometric appointment?
No you do not, even though the application form seems to suggest you should. You no longer post your application at all unless applying from Adelaide. All other applications are left with the visa office after your biometric appointment.
Where do I post my completed application to?
You only post your application if applying from Adelaide, all other applications are given to the VFS Global staff. The address to send your application to is:
UK Border Agency
GPO Box 2718
Sydney NSW 2001
It will then be forwarded to the processing hub in Manilla.
How long does the visa take to process?
Given my experience and feedback from others it takes anywhere between 1 – 4 weeks (usually within 2 though) from the time you post it. The processing times do vary depending on the time of year as well so recommend you check with the UKBA website here for a detailed listing of processing times.
However it seems with the new visa processing procedure a 2-3 weeks estimate seems correct at the moment.
I’ve not received any confirmation from the processing center, I’ve received one email, I’ve received nothing from the processing center?
The visa processing center has a history of not updating you on the process of your visa. Some people have reported getting emails to say their application was received, processed and shipped back while others have received nothing at all. You need not fear, there has never been a case of someones application form getting lost that I am aware of and most find their passport arrives the day after they freak out. All I can suggest is a little patience.
I have a question about the visa process who can I call or email?
You can contact the visa authority on 1300UKVISA ( 1300 858 472) but keep in mind this is a charged call of $3.50/minute and only payable via credit card. There is also an email address at [email protected] that advises you’ll receive a response within 10 days. Full details on calling for help can be found here.
Can I cancel my visa application?
If you’ve applied for your visa early or simply don’t want to go ahead with it you can cancel under certain circumstances. Refunds only seem possible if you’ve not attended your biometrics appointment yet. To cancel your visa go to the refund request page on the UKBA website and complete the form. You then wait 14 days to find out if you were successful.
Can I apply outside of Australia?
This seems to be possible but appears to be something new as previous documentation I’d read suggested you couldn’t. By visiting this section of the UKBA website you can select different countries around the world that accept visa processing. From what I can tell it will allow you to apply for a Tier 5 UK Youth Mobility Visa wherever there is a processing center providing you have a valid working visa with at least 6 months validity on it to be in that country.
When does the visa start?
You can pick the start date for your visa yourself during your application online but keep in mind it must be within 3 months of your application date. If you intend to travel around Europe before the start of your visa then you will be applying for your visa closer to the time in which you intended to fly out of Australia or allowing it to start before you get there meaning you miss some of the 2 years it is valid for.
When should the bank statement or letter be dated?
Your bank statement needs to be dated within 30 days of applying for the visa. So if you were to apply for the visa on the 1st of June your bank statement or letter must be dated after the 1st of May. The statement or letter must also show you have the total amount of funds required to meet the application requirements for the youth mobility visa.
The application form asks for my previous passports but I’ve lost it?
If you’ve had a children’s passport or an adult one and can no longer find it just state that on the form. If you have the passports great otherwise noting its lost seems to be perfectly acceptable.
Is this the same as the working holiday visa?
The working holiday visa was renamed to the youth mobility visa. During that change they also adjusted the conditions of the visa allowing you to live and work for the full 2 years of the visa where as before you could only work for 1 year.
What does family name mean?
The application will refer to your mother/fathers family name, this is asking about their maiden name.
Do I need a UK address or itinerary to apply?
Previously you did not need an UK address but on the new application form you are required to give one. You do not however need an itinerary when applying for the youth mobility visa. You will need to give a UK address to the customs officials upon entry into the UK. It is a requirement for all people entering the UK when completing the landing card.
Do I need to buy a return ticket?
There is no need to buy a return ticket when entering the UK on the Tier 5 youth mobility visa. With this visa you are essentially considered a citizen of the UK for the duration of the visa.
Will this visa let me stay in Europe for longer than 3 months?
The visa is only valid within the UK which encompasses England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island. When travelling to Europe and in particular the countries that form the schengen zone you are only permitted to visit them for a period of 90 days within a 180 day period.
Will this visa let me work in Europe?
You will not be able to work for any company outside of the UK on this visa.
Can I enter the UK before my visa starts?
Yes but you will be entering on a tourist visa and as such are restricted to its limitations such as not being able to work. After your visa start date you should look to leave the country and re-enter on your youth mobility visa.
What if I have a DUI or criminal conviction?
During the application process you will be asked if you have any criminal convictions, this does not included fixed fines such as speeding or parking tickets unless you were required to attend court. If you have had a drink driving conviction or similar it is advised you included all paperwork when sending off your documents.
The visa office does perform criminal record checks so failing to document your record could be a reason for denying you a visa or them deferring your application until you offer more documentation to the entry clearance officer. To save potential problems it is recommended to get a print out of your court documents/extract, police reports and other supporting evidence including proof you’ve paid any fines associated with the incidents.
You are only provided a short time to provide this information if they request it so its better to have it all before you apply to save on missing out.
What is the BRP (biometric residence permit) and how do I get it?
From the 31st of May 2015 the visa office changed the visa permit process and introduced a biometric residence permit you collect once you’ve arrived in the UK. Full details on the BRP can be viewed on the UK website here
The short(ish) version of what this means is you now must enter the UK within 30 days of your noted start date for the visa. This is instead of being issued a sticker in your passport valid for the full 2 years. Now you now get issued a 30 day vignette which allows entry to the UK under your visa for a period of 30 days to collect your BRP card. If you arrive after that initial 30 day period you need to apply for another 30 day vignette (unsure of any fees or process to do this at the current point in time).
Once your visa is granted you’ll be provided with a decision letter stating at which post office and when you can collect your biometric residence permit card from. This is likely to be the closest post office to your noted address you used on the application. Please note the UK website states that you may get a penalty or your leave can be cancelled if you don’t pick up your BRP within 10 days of your arrival in the UK.
If you have queries about your BRP card or misplace documents needed to collect it you can refer to the following site for details https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/need-brp.
At this point in time I’m yet to speak to anybody who has obtained their visa and collected a BRP card so am unable to verify any of the details above and provide it as reference only. There has been some great discussions in the comments below so if you have been issued a visa under the new process I’d love for you to leave a comment below to help others out that are looking to apply.
UPDATE 06/07/2015
An amazing follower named Mirabai has done some digging on the BRP process and found out what you do if you are unable to claim the permit within the 30 day window and received the following details from the United Kingdom Visas and Immigrations International Enquiry Service.
If the applicant has been granted a 30 day vignette and fails to enter theUK within the 30 day validity period, they must make an application for a replacement 30 day vignette by applying for a Transfer of Conditions, not as a new application for leave to enter. Application can be completed online on Visa4UK and it costs £122 to transfer your visa.
On Visa4UK website at: https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk, you need to select the Visa Type accordingly:
Reason for Visit: Other
Visa Type: Others
Visa Sub Type: Vignette TransferFurther information regarding biometric residence permit can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-overseas-applicant-and-sponsor-information.
So it seems if you don’t enter within that 30 day window your visa can become quite the bit more expensive. A real issue for those of you applying to get in before the age limit or those unable to travel over as planned.
Do you have a question not already answered above? Then leave a comment below and I’ll try and find the answer for you as soon as possible.
Hi,
Thanks for all the information. Has been very helpful.
I don’t receive my bank statements in the mail any more and I get it sent to me electronically every three months.
If I print of the electronic statement, would this be considered the “original copy”? Also, as I receive the statements quarterly, it will not be within the one month time frame. Will the visa centre accept a transaction statement which includes the amount of my total savings (within the one month) attached to the actual statement?
Your response will greatly be appreciated.
Julz
Hi Julie, you are unable to print off a statement from your online banking I’m afraid. You can request statements at the bank or have them print up a letter saying you have the required funds on their letterhead. The reasoning I believe is that its easy to fake up something you print at home and so it needs to be official documents.
Hi,
I have a pondering question that I cant seem to get a straight forward answer for.
I am hoping that someone on here can help me out.
Back in Feb 2004 (over 10 years ago), I was convicted of a crime and spent around 18 months in a Juvenile Justice Centre. This has been my only offence.
I recently completed the Australian Federal Police criminal record check and everything was cleared. So my offence in 2004 did not come up.
I went for a job around 3 years ago and when I did the check back then, my criminal history showed.
I am assuming that it did not show this time as it has been over 10 years?
I know that there is the “spent conviction scheme” which applies to convictions that is no longer within the 10 years.
On the visa application, they ask for information of all criminal offences including traffic offences and spent and unspent convictions.
As my offence did not come up on the AFP check, do I need to disclose this on the visa application? and if so, how much information do I need to provide? I do not have any ofd the court/police report as it has been too long ago.
Cheers
KLM
Hi KLM, honestly its a difficult one and I’ve not had many people apply with convictions or issues and then report back to me on how they got on. I’d imagine given its over 10 years and not showing up on your police check you can leave it off but at the same time it might be worth noting it down and providing the recent police check to satisfy them what you say is true.
HI, my daughter is currently travelling around Europe, but after her holiday she wants to live and work in the UK. Do you know if she can apply for the Tier 5 Youth Mobility from over there or is it too late?
Hi Cathy, I’m afraid your daughter will need to return to Australia to apply for a visa to live and work in the UK. Unless she is travelling on a visa that allows her to live/work in another country.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
So I have received an email from the Manila office stating that a decision has been made (I’m in Perth). That was on Tuesday the 5th of May. I still haven’t heard anything yet.
Do you know how long it takes by any chance? As I need to take time off from work to go collect it, but wasn’t told when I will be contact.
Thanks!
P.S. This website/forum is awesome!
Hi Sean, thats the default wording you get when the visa/passport is sent back to you. In 99.9% of cases it means your visa is granted and you are good to go. Just need to wait for it to come back and be collected by yourself now. It’s normally back in Australia within 3 days but since moving to Perth myself I’ve learnt mail takes that bit longer to arrive over here so give or take that time.
Thanks for your response.
I have received a second email today stating that the VFS in Perth have received my passport and that it is ready for collection.
Firstly, how do I find out whether or not I’ve paid to have it couriered back to me? I can’t seem to remember!
And secondly, if I have to go collect it from the office, it said in the email that there are designated collection times but did not specify what those times are. I have looked everywhere but can’t seem to get an answer. Are you able to help me with this please?
And I hope you are right, and that I have gotten the visa!!
Hi Sean, you’d have paid for a courier at the time of your biometric appointment so if you didn’t do it then you will need to go get it. As for the collection times it’s anybodies guess. They keep telling people to come then yet nobody has even see a listing of when that is. If you go in and ask them I’d love to know to post up on the site here. Most people just go in whenver they have time.
Thanks Sean. So I found out that everyone who applied from Perth automatically has their passport couriered back to them anyway.
However, it’s been a while since I received my second email now and I still haven’t received anything in the post. The postman has been and gone today as well, and I had planned that the passport would have come in today at the latest.
Do you know if they use an external postal service so that I could call them?
Thanks!
Hi mate,
A quick question… i just applied for the YMS today (7th May) and had stated that my visa application would begin August 20. This is a bit over 3 months… will this give me any trouble, or will I just lose a couple of weeks?
Thanks for the info!!!
Hi Stefan, I’d say they’ll just trim the few days off your intended start date to make it all valid.
Thanks for the prompt response and for replying to the same question a million times!
A few last questions if i may…
1: Do you need a passport-quality ID prior to the Biometrics, or do they take it there?
2. Are they able to change small faults in your application? I’ve mistakenly listed myself as the contact for the address i’m staying at – such a stupid question for couch-surfers/back-packers that are going with the flow)
and 3: What’s the process for re-applying? Surely you don’t have to spend the cash again if it’s rejected !!! (sorry i’m paranoid haha).
Thanks mate.
Hi Stefan, no problem at all. As for your other questions. You need to provide the passport photos they don’t take them for you. For the contact details on your address I doubt its a problem to be honest so don’t stress that.
For re-applying if you are denied you lose your money and have to pay again I’m afraid.
Hey,
I’ve booked my visa, paid and have an appointment this Monday 11th of May. I’m in Auckland, New Zealand so will hop down to the address for the biometrics and then send my application off. I plan to leave New Zealand about the 16th of June, do you think this will be enough time to get the passport returned?
I was going to have a visa appointment earlier but keep pushing it back as have been indecisive about going. I understand this is not a lot of time now but am hoping it is still in the threshold as the clearance time for Tier 5 visas in Auckland to be approved is currently stated to be 99% completed in 14 days. From your knowledge of recent visa completion times, do you think this is enough time? Or will I have to push the flight back? The latest I’m prepared to push it back is to the 18th (don’t want to miss Blur play Hyde Park)
Cheers,
Hamish
Hi Hamish, I’m unsure of the processing times in NZ but imagine as you have a good 2-3 weeks of time you should be fine to get it back. I’ve heard of very veyr very few people who had it take longer than 3 weeks.
Anyone have trouble registering an account to apply?
I fill out my name, address, DOB, email etc. It says to await an email to continue the process however I still haven’t received it. I tried clicking forgot password and haven’t received anything from that either.
I’ve tried a couple different browsers as well as 2 different email addresses.
Hi Adam, email addresses with free services can be a bit problematic but I don’t think anybody has had problems when using gmail. Failing that see if you can use the address provided by your internet provider.
Hey, does anyone have any idea what courier service is used in Perth to deliver the passport? Getting a little worried
Many thanks 🙂
Hi guys,
does anyone know if you actually have to enter the country before 31?
can I apply for the visa, make it valid before im 31 and then enter when I am 31 or 32?
thanks!
Hi Melissa, as far as I know there is no requirement to enter the UK on the date of your visa becoming valid. There is however a new biometric card that came into existence in March of this year that seems to suggest you must enter within 30 days of your visa becoming valid. I’m unsure of the details and how true that is given it’s a relatively new offering and nobody I know of has got one yet.
Hi Aussie Nomad!
I’ll be moving over to the UK at the end of this year on the Tier 5 Mobility Visa to develop my graphic designer career. However along with my (hopefully) full time job, I would like to freelance on the side – just like I’m doing over here.
Is this allowed on this visa? I’ve researched online but have found both yes and no answers. Below are two quick examples:
https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility/overview
YOU CAN: be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment isn’t worth more than £5,000 and you don’t have any employees
http://www.visabureau.com/uk/youth-mobility.aspx
There are no restrictions on the kind of work that visa holders can undertake, except that they cannot set up their own business, work in professional sports, or work as a trainee doctor.
Would you have a definitive answer? If I’m able to – do I need a UK ABN equivalent or is the NIN enough?
Thanks!
Hi Peter, I’m afraid I don’t really know the answer to it unfortunately. As far as I can see providing you lodge your tax return yourself and tick all the box’s for that you should be fine. I know friends who have done contract work via a 3rd party that handles all the business side of things and they just freelance for clients but that may be a bit more involved than what you are looking to do.
Hi, I’ve submitted my online application and paid and I’m wondering if there is any way to change the “travel date”. I haven’t done the biometric interview yet or posted the application.
Many thanks
Hi Alice, I don’t think you can without cancelling your application and starting again. You can try and call them to ask but I think they may say the same thing as I don’t think anybody that has called before got any really helpful advice.
Hi Alice and Aussie Nomad,
First of all, great site AN! Love your work. I feel like it has been so helpful for me that I can’t help but contribute.
Alice, in terms of changing the travel date, I put in a travel date in my application, but had a change of heart. The very nice lady at the Biometric centre said to just cross out the date in the printed application form and write your new date. Just ask the person who is processing your application. My appointment was in Sydney.
Lo and behold 10 days later I picked up my passport and the start date was the date I put in writing on the printed application form during my biometric appointment. Results may vary but it should be okay.
Hi All, I am turning 31 in a few weeks and have my biometrics appointment booked for tomorrow. I set my arrival date as the day before my 31st birthday and have no solid date as to when I plan to arrive in the UK yet.
I just had a look at the biometric residence permit document (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/418271/v_9_overseas_BRP_leaflet.pdf) and the following section me worried:
How do I travel to the UK without my
biometric residence permit?
Successful applicants will be issued with a
vignette in their passport which is valid for
30 days from the date you indicated as your
intended travel date in your visa application.
The vignette is proof only of your permission
to enter the UK and will allow you to travel to
the UK. If you do not travel to the UK within
this 30 day period, your visa will expire and
you will need to apply for another 30 day
visa. You will have to pay a fee for this.
Does that mean you must arrive in the UK within 30 days of the stated travel date or your visa will be invalid? If that is the case I wonder if I am best to try and cancel my application as I don’t believe I will make it within that time frame.
Does anyone have any advice?
Hi Steve, the BRP card is a relatively new item so nobody I know of has applied and gone and got one or if they have they’ve not told me. the rules for it do seem a little strict in that you must enter within 30 days or apply for a 30 day visa again and at worse have your visa cancelled. At this stage I can’t confirm the validity of the stamp in your passport only being valid for 30 days nor the full process for getting the BRP card once abroad and what happens if you don’t go on the intended date.
I’ve also no idea how you apply for a 30 day visa either as that information seems to not exist as yet or I just can’t find it. Any information you find out from your application process would be great to know so I can update my guide to help future applicants. Sorry I don’t have anymore info to help you though.
“I’m not sure what date I will travel to the UK, what should I do?
Make sure you know the date you will travel to the UK before you apply. Your temporary visa will only be valid for 30 days once you receive it and you will need to travel within this period. If you receive your temporary vignette sticker, and can’t travel during the 30 day window, you will need to apply for a replacement.”
https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/changes-to-visa-process-for-applicants-travelling-to-the-uk-for-more-than-6-months
https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/replace
Hi Adam, this is such a new offering for the visa process that I’m unsure of what the process is and what happens if you arrive later than planned. I’m hoping someone will report back that’s gone over to the UK to update me on the process.
I submitted my visa on the 1st of May in Auckland and have not heard a single thing back from Manila. I see from posts that people who have applied around a similar time have received their passports back. Should I be worried? I tried calling the UK direct number but the service is no longer available! I find this frustrating because I don’t know who I can follow this up with… I’m not even sure whether they received my application safely. Any ideas?
Hi Anxious, sorry for the delayed reply but hoping by now your passport is home safely with you. Turn around times are around the 2-3 week period in Australia so assume that is the same for NZ.
My wife and I will be moving to the UK for about 12 months for a working holiday. I have a British passport so we originally applied for a spousal visa for my wife. This visa application was just rejected on financial grounds (we misread the requirement for the amount of cash required if you have not earned the required amount).
Long story short, our one-way flight to London leaves in 3 days and she doesn’t have a visa. We were going to try the following:
1. Book a flight leaving the UK to a European country (say Belgium). When we enter the UK we will be just going for a short holiday.
a3. Spend a few weeks in Belgium while waiting for the visa.
4. Pick up the visa from Brussels and head back to the UK.
Can anyone see a problem with this approach? I see a note in the FAQs about that suggests ou need a 6 month working visa for the country you are applying from but I can’t see this in the official documentation. Any other suggestions?
Hi Matt, sorry for the delayed reply. You need to be in Australia to apply for the YMV visa as you wife needs a valid visa to apply from the country she is in and I’m guessing that isn’t the case for Belgium. I don’t have the link to the official wording on why you need a valid visa but guessing by now you’ve headed off or delayed your trip so may have solved the issue.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
My visa application got sent off in Brisbane on 17/04/15 and I received an email from the Manila office on 22/04/15 saying a decision has been made and my documents are on their way back to the Brisbane office and I would be contacted when to collect it. I still have not been contacted since. I am very worried something has gone wrong. It has almost been a month.
I have tried contacting the UK visa office and they were no help at all. Should I just go into the Visa Application Centre in Brisbane and follow up?
Thanks for your help! 🙂
Hello again, I went into the Visa office today and my passport and visa was there! It had been sitting there for 2 weeks and forgot to email me!!! Should of gone the courier option.
But YAY for having me visa now!!! Off to Scotland in 55 days 😀
Hi Paige, I’ve seen lots of people not get notifications. You just have to go into the office and pick it up.
Hi Aussie Nomad!
This site is fantastic!!
I made a mistake on my visa application. The question asked if this was my first passport, and I answered ‘yes’. When I showed the application form to my mum she told me that I had a childs passport because she took my to NZ when I was young… (completely forgot)! So I wrote on the form next to the question, “Yes, my first adult passport. I did have a childs passport but its lost/expired”. Do you think this will be a problem?!? I went in for my biometrics appointment in Sydney last Wednesday 6th May, but still haven’t heard anything back, and I’m worried that I’ve been rejected!
Also, I just read up on the last few comments^ with people talking about BRP cards. I specifically asked one of those Apply For your Visa agency people about if I could enter the UK after the indicated travel date (Because I know it has to start 3 months after you apply) and they said that it would be perfectly fine and it would just mean that I forfeit some of the Visa. I made my application date in August because its 3 months after I apply and I intend on leaving for a Europe trip soon, but don’t intend to arrive in the UK until the end of September after I’ve done some travelling. So what is the deal with the BRP card? Will i need to apply for another 30 visa as well to arrive in September??
Thank you!!!
Did not get a response previously. But anyway, if anyone was wanting to know – people from Perth who have put through an application, the passports are delivered via Australia Post (registered mail).
From when you get the second email (that’s the dispatch email) saying that VFS have received your passport, you should receive your passport within 2-3 working days. If you haven’t, they advise that you contact them at VFS Global in Perth.
They don’t have a direct contact number, but if you Google Level 3 267 St Georges Terrace a number will come up for a company called Segus (not 100% sure of the name). That’s the level 3 reception.
VFS is an external company operating on behalf of UK Immigration. They are open only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Hope that helps alleviate some of the stress for those who are waiting on an answer on their visa.
Peace.
Hey Aussie Nomad,
Firstly, your website is awesome!
I am an actress and have a question about filming/business trips to different countries. If I work for a British Company and I am paid in British pounds, am I permitted to film in different european locations/attend business trips to different european locations on my Youth Mobility Visa?
Any help would be great
Thanks
Hi Shae, it’s difficult as you can travel for business on a tourist visa but more so for short stays I think. If you are planning to be there for weeks or longer you’d need a business visa I believe to stay and work.
Hi there,
I have already received my youth visa and my 2 years began August 2014. If I decide to leave for the UK at the end of this year, is there any way at all I can extend the visa before i leave? I assume no is the answer but thought I would triple check.
Thanks,
Angela
Hi Angela, you cannot extend the YMV I’m afraid. If it was a work visa or something else you can but the YMV is aimed at the working holiday types and not a long term stay offering.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
Thanks for this blog! I can’t reiterate how helpful this is to me. I have two short and simple questions.
1. I am of Malaysian and Australian nationality. Was born in Melbourne but lived in KL my whole life. It is illegal in Malaysia to have dual nationalities and do not know about my other nationality. I have checked it is possible to apply in Malaysia, and it is more convenient to apply here. Should I apply at a Visa Centre in Malaysia or fly over to Australia to do it there?
2. I have seen the application forms and the questions like ”any previous visas, any countries travelled to”, are they directed to only my Australian passport or should I be blatantly honest and take it as directed to both of my passport?
Thanks very much!
Kind Regards,
Hank
Hi Hank, I think given you can live legally in Malaysia then just apply there, I can’t see it being a problem and negates the need for a trip to Australia just to apply.
For the application form I’d everything not just for your Australian passport, better to cover all bases.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
Thanks for all the info and effort. I just have a question that can’t seem to find the answer anywhere else.
I have an Australian passport thanks to my mom, who’s Australian. But I’m American and live in the US. Will that give me any sort of trouble at the moment of applying for this Visa?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Nico, I don’t see you having any problems as you have an Australian passport.
Hi there, thanks for all this useful information. It was only through your website that I was able to find confirmation on the 3 month rule. Based on the application form, the start date can be up to 5 months in the future which is very misleading.
It was only at the in-person appointment that we were advised that the start date would be 3 months after applying. This means that we miss out on two months of the visa period. Is there any way to change this after the application has been started?
I know it is unlikely but this is very frustrating, especially when we were just trying to be timely with the application and did not read this anywhere on the gov.uk website.
Thanks
Hi David, I’m afraid once you’ve submitted your application and attended the biometric appointment there is no way to go back. You can however cancel your application and get a refund before you attend the biometric appointment to do it all over again.
Hi,
I recently applied and received my Tier 5 youth visa. I intend to arrive in the UK on 1 September, however I didn’t know about the 3 month rule (nowhere on the UKVI website mentions it as far as I can tell?) So because I applied too early they have automatically backdated my visa to 30 July. Obviously this is not ideal because I will be losing more than a month of visa time, but I am also concerned about the fact that I won’t be in the UK within 30 days of my entry date to collect my BRP, because I will be travelling around Europe in that time.
Do you know what the deal is with the BRP and if i will be able to pick it up a few days late?
Had i known about the 3 months rule I wouldn’t have been so efficient in applying for my visa so early! I don’t suppose there is any way to change this date or re-apply at this point…? I’ve tried to email with not much success (just got a confusing auto reply asking for more info but coming from a do not reply address?) and not too keen on spending $3 a minute on a phone call until i know more.
Cheers.
Hi Rhys the BRP card is a new addition that I really have so few details on. Nobody I know of has reported back to say if they had any problems or not. I do know however that you can’t re-apply or change the date on the visa.
At this point all I can say is you’ll need to chance it and rock up abroad and see how you go. I find the 30 day rule quite ridiculous to be honest as people travel at all sorts of time and dates so forcing you to be there within 30 days seems wrong given its never been a requirement.
I feel like I should post an appreciation to The British High Commission right now. I made THREE mistakes on my application form and still got accepted!! Others should not have the fear and worry that I endured for those 2 weeks, they are obviously very reasonable people!!!!
Firstly, I answered ‘Yes’ to the question, ‘Is this your first passport’, before realising that I had a childs passport and then I wrote on the application form “I had a child’s passport but it’s lost/expired”
Secondly, I forgot 2 places that I had traveled in the past 10 years and also wrote them on the application form
Thirdly, I answered the last question (about points) completely incorrectly. Eg. Nationality – australian, rather than Nationality – 30 points. and I wrote total points as “60”? I didn’t realise this until after I had sent it off and so it wasn’t noted on the form.
They could have easily declined me on administration basis but obviously could see that I had made a mistake and knew what the answers were supposed to be. For this reason I am totally appreciated and really excited!!!
My timeline- Applied online 4 May
Biometrics 6 May
Email saying decision had been made 19 May
Picked up my Passport 21 May
Thank you to Aussie Nomad and the very reasonable British High Commision!!! <3 Everybody else, don't be too worried. If you make a simple mistake don't worry about the stress of applying for a refund.. unless you spell your name wrong, or make a mistake on your passport number, or answer one of the terrorism questions wrong! They are otherwise very understanding!!!!
xxxx
Good response, thanks Bianca. Quick question, did they JUST email you about the decision, or did you receive others?
I applied on the 20th so still have a while to wait :\
Hi Bianca,
I’m happy you were successful – although frustrated I was advised to cancel my application by the staff. I hope its sorted.
Hi,
I have read a few comments although couldn’t seem to find my question.
I am applying for this youth mobility visa but I’m travelling Europe and leaving late June. I will not be in the UK until mid-late October.
How does the three month application limit affect me? Will I be denied an application if I put my intended date down as late October?
With that being said I have to pick up my biometric residence permit within 10 days of landing in the UK of my intended date of arrival. How do I go about this if I have to set my intended date three Months from when I apply? i.e apply 1st of June with intended arrival of 1 September.
Thank you!
Hi Nick, you’ll need to set your travel date for the visa to be within 3 months of your application date regardless of when you actually get there. Reason being is you can only apply for the visa within 3 months of when you want the visa to start. This means you’ll miss out on some of your visa time as it will have to start while you are still traveling Europe.
The BRP permits are a new item and I’m afraid I don’t have any details on what the process is for getting one and what the new stamp in a passport looks like. I’m hoping someone who applies soon will report back to me so I can update everyone here. To me it seems like they are putting a big restriction on people applying for the visa and then setting off to travel before arriving in the UK.
Hi There,
Great guide!
I have one question before I hit book appointment!!! 😀
In the coming steps, booking and paying, is there a part where I upload my bank statement and photo? Or are those just documents that are taken with me to my appointment?
I’m trying to get this 100% perfect, as I’m in Hobart and I’m flying to Sydney to complete the appointment.
Looking forward to your reply.
Hi Adam, you take your bank statement and other paperwork with you to the biometric appointment and they take it all from you there to send away for processing.
Hi,
just wondering, does anyone know if it is possible to stay for an extra week after your visa expires?
I am not looking to dodge the system or stay as a tourist, I will have finished my job by the time my visa expires/given up my house lease etc, it’s more to do with timing – I am meeting a friend in Europe and I really want to just wait the week between the end date of my Tier 5 visa and the date they arrive in Europe, in London.
If i book my exit flight for around a week after the actual date of my visa end date, are the airport staff going to get mental at me?
Hi Maryse, once your visa expires you are no longer legally allowed to stay in the UK so will need to leave on or before the date it expires to avoid complications. You can of course leave and re-enter on an automatic tourist visa just be sure to have proof of travel out of the country and show you have money to support yourself etc. Customs can be difficult with people re-entering just after their visa has expired and I know this from personal experience.
Hi, I’m hoping someone can help me as I am not getting anywhere with the UK visa contact people!
It’s about the visa start date under this new BRP process.
From what I understand you can apply for a visa for up to 3 months prior to the intended date of travel (although I cannot find this stated anywhere on the UK visa website). But as of 31 May you are now issued a vignette valid for 30 days from the date you said you’d arrive in the UK.
I leave NZ in July to travel in South America for 3 months and will not enter the UK until late October. Therefore, I need to apply for the visa earlier than 3 months prior to the intended travel date. How can I have a visa start date that is both within 3 months of the application date AND within 1 month of entering the UK? I.e. if I apply in June and put my start date as September, the date I actually enter the UK will not be within 1 month of September.
I am really worried about to do and time is running out!
Thanks!
Hi Tarryn, that is the million dollar question isn’t it. This new BRP card that you need to collect really does mess with people who don’t intend to arrive exactly on the day stated or for those who travel for more than 3 months before arriving in the UK. At this point in time I believe you can apply for another 30 day vignette if you don’t arrive within the time set but I don’t know how you do that. Seems there is little to no information on the process and I’m yet to have anybody apply and go over to the UK on the visa and report back for me to see how it all works.
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Thanks Aussie Nomad. If you do get any more info or hear how someone goes with the application could you please let me know? I’ve probably got a week or two before I have to apply (fly out July 19). Thanks so much for your help!
I’m going to the UK and I’ve applied for a British Passport but I don’t think it’ll arrive before I plan to leave. So I’m planning to enter the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme. But I need to know: if my parents receive my British passport in Aussie and post it to me in the UK, can I stay in the UK after the Youth Mobility Scheme runs out? Or do I need to leave the UK and re-enter using the UK passport?
Hi Van, you’d need to leave the country and re-enter on your UK passport for it to be valid. But you can do that at any time and you’ll be set to come and go as you please.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
I’m about to apply for the youth mobility visa, and was reading through the guidance notes as a safeguard. I noticed that the mother & father details are both compulsory.. I don’t have any information on my father whatsoever and so I can’t provide any details there at all. Will that be a problem? I’m hoping I can just N/A it and explain at the biometrics!
Looking forward to your reply!
Hi Madeleine, just put N/A in the box and then make note on the additional notes page to say you don’t have any information on your father and that should be fine.
hi aussie nomad
when i filled out my visa application last week i wrote down my arrival date as october 20th as thats when i arrive as I’m travelling asia and europe before i go to the uk but I leave in 4 weeks and needed to apply before i left!! will i still be accepted even though I haven’t done the within 3 month arrival from application? I’m just worried I’ve paid $600 only to be denied!!
Hi Cassandra, most likely they will just move your start date to be within the 3 month window. Just keep in mind the new BRP (biometric residence permit) needs to be collected within 10 days of your arrival in the UK so you may have problems arriving to late to the UK. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of details on how the BRP permit works and what happens if you arrive too late.
Hi Cassandra, I’m in the same boat as you (travelling first and arriving in the UK in late October but haven’t applied yet) and would be really interested to hear how your application goes. It’s impossible to get an answer as to whether the 3 month thing still applies! Could you please let us know when you hear back about it?! Thanks, Tarryn
Hi Cassandra and Taryn,
I was in the same boat. I am leaving on 13th July and needed to ensure my visa and passport were back before I started travelling. I applied on 4th May, I had my biometric appointment on 6th May and my visa arrived back in the mail on 22nd May. Although I won’t arrive in the UK until 10th August and won’t commence work until 1st September and I included all this information on my application. My visa commences on 4th August, which is exactly 3 months from the day I applied.
Hi Ashlee,
Thanks for the info and glad to hear your application went smoothly! However, I believe there is a slightly different process as of 31 May and this is what has me confused. I have no problem with my visa starting before I get to the UK (i.e. 3 months from when I apply) but apparently you are now issued a 30 day temporary visa, valid for 30 days from when you said you’d arrive in the UK. Then you go and pick up your residence permit once in the UK.
I leave NZ in July to travel in South America for 3 months and will not enter the UK until late October. Therefore, I need to apply for the visa earlier than 3 months prior to the intended travel date. So how can I have a visa start date that is both within 3 months of the application date AND within 1 month of entering the UK? I.e. if I apply in June and put my start date as September, the date I actually enter the UK (late October) will not be within 1 month of September.
Maybe I will just have to explain my situation in the application as you did and hope they are understanding! Did you write this in the “any extra info” section at the end of the application?
Cheers,
Tarryn
Hi Taryn,
There is more information about the BRP a here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-residence-permits-overseas-applicant-and-sponsor-information
From what I’ve read about the BRP if you don’t enter the UK within 30 days of your temporary visa starting you will need to pay a fee to be issued with another temporary visa and an additional 30 days to enter the UK. Sorry I can’t be much help as I haven’t entered the UK yet either.
Ashlee
Hi Ashlee,
Thanks for the info. Maybe I will have to re-apply for the temporary visa – I can imagine this being difficult to do while travelling so wanted to avoid if possible!
So did you put your planned travel date as 10 August, and they changed it to start on 4 August? (I ask because I’ve read about some people who put their start date later than the 3 months and the visa gets automatically backdated to the date they applied). Since you applied before 31 May were you issued with the full 2 years or the 30 day temporary visa?
Cheers, Tarryn
Hi Aussie Nomad. Thanks for your brilliant site and all the helpful info! I am just about to apply and have been stumped by the biometric residence permit and having to pick it up within 10 days. Has anyone got back to you on this and how it works? Applying now and wanting to travel Europe first for the 90 days, wondering if I need to head back to London mid trip, to pick it up within the time limit. Have tried googling but seems nobody knows what the go is. I did find a UK site that says “If you are successful in your application you will receive a biometric residence permit. However, the card is not issued on the day you give your biometrics. It will be sent to you in the post via secure delivery.” Anyone got info on whether it is posted to you in Aus, or you have to pick up in England? (supposedly from a post office closest to where you listed your UK address as). Hope this makes sense. Cheers
Hi Emma, I’m afraid I’ve not heard of anybody who’s got the visa and collected their BRP card as yet. It’s all very vague (as is the UK way it seems) as to how you collect it. Especially since the address most people use on the application form is likely to be for a hostel and not a place you can really use as an address or one you’d stay at for very long.
I’d say at this point you may need to trip over to the UK when you visa starts to collect it I just can’t say how or what is required to do that.
Hi,
I have a question about applying for a tier 2 (general) visa after my YMV expires. My current visa expires in January 2016 and I was hoping to have my Italian passport through by then but it is taking a lot longer than expected. Anyway, I have the most amazing job in the UK – teaching in a sixth form college – and they have offered me a permanent position starting in July. I am now panicking that I have to leave and am looking into sponsorship. Is it possible to go back to Australia in August and apply for tier 2 even though my YMV is still valid then? Or do I have to wait until my YMV expires then go home and apply? I have been scouring various websites and GOV.UK all day and can’t seem to make any sense of it all!! Would really appreciate any advice from people who have been in this situation and obtained sponsorship after YMV expires. The thought of having to go back to Australia is killing me!!
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Rebecca, you can indeed go home and apply for the sponsored visa (providing the school does all the paperwork on their end to qualify to do so) while still having your YMV as far as I’m aware. You just make sure when you re-enter the UK you show them your new visa stamp and not the YMV one so you don’t get admitted to the country on the wrong visa.
Firstly just wanted to say thanks to The Aussie Nomad. This was a great source of information and I would have had to fork out agency fees if this wasn’t so easy to follow.
So, my situation, which I’m sure a few people with similar circumstances would like to hear.
I have a total of 5 convictions, 1 DUI, 1 driving under DQ, 1 driving uninsured, 2 driving unregistered (3 separate incidents – all over 6 years ago)
I only included the National Police Certificate with my application.
Timeline below
Application: 10th May
Biometrics: 14th May (in Adelaide)
Sent forms: 14th May
Manila Email: 28th May
Visa/Passport arrived: 2nd June
Now, in my passport, I’m pretty sure it’s just the standard Visa, rather than the 30 day ‘vignette sticker’. It shows as vaild from 27/7/15 to 27/7/17. There was no other documents included (eg. how to go about picking up BRP upon arrival in the UK).
I rang UK Visas & Immigration and they said as it’s a staged roll out, I’d been accepted and had the old type of visa so looks like I can enter at any time, rather than having to enter within 30 days of intended travel date.
Hi Larry, thanks so much for the details on your application, especially the convictions as that can help others looking to apply.
Seems like this new BRP card etc may not be applied as yet based on what you’ve said as if the sticker in your passport is valid for that long you are on the old setup. Good that you managed to speak to someone about it on the phone, so far most people don’t get far doing that.
Hi boys and girls! So I just got my YMS visa today in the mail!
It was a super fast process (applied 20/05, response from Manilla 26/05, response from Melbourne 01/06, and received it the next day (today). Took 12-13 days! 🙂
One last question for those who have received it… is there any paperwork I should have received? All I got returned was my passport (with the sticker) and the original bank statement.
Cheers.
Hey mate,
Was your sticker inside valid for 24 months or 30 days?
I didn’t receive any paperwork. Actually they didn’t even give me my bank statement back.
Hey dude,
Yea it’s valid for the full 2 years. (07/08/15 – 07/08/17).
(cheers aussie nomad)
Hi Stefan, you just get the sticker in your passport and that’s it. As Larry has asked I’d be curious to know if it’s valid for 30 days upon entry or if it still says valid for the full 2 years.
Visa approved!!
Thank you so much Aussie Nomad and all other contributors for helping my girlfriend and I through the application process. So much stress for one sticker!!
Here is some info to help others along the way:
PROCESSING TIMES:
Completed Online Visa Application: Friday, 15 May 2015
Attended Biometric Appointment: Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Received email saying “A decision has been made”: Friday, 29 May 2015
Received email saying “Your documents are ready for collection”: Monday, 1 June 2015
(We opted for the VFS courier service)
Documents received at doorstep via courier: Tuesday, 2 June 2015
So all up, from the biometric appointment to having the documents in our hands it was 10 business days. Gotta be happy with that!
HELPFUL INFO:
– Stress less about the documents you need to provide. What they state on the immigration website is the most you need. Don’t stress yourself by trying to go over and above.
– Yes the IHS reference is meant to be written on the front of the application forms. The staff at the application centre advised to write it over the right hand side, below where you stick your passport photo.
– The visa application centre workers are really helpful (in Brisbane at least) – 3 separate people checked over our documents along the way. They were happy to answer questions and let me change a couple of mistakes on my printed application with a pen. The girl before me actually had the wrong bank statement and they let her quickly run into the city to get a new one printed before submitting.
– We signed up for both the VFS courier service ($24) and SMS service ($3). The courier service was great, taking only 1 business day to arrive after the documents were back at the application centre. Don’t even worry about the SMS service as neither of us received a text message at any point. Put that extra $3 towards your London savings.
– In terms of the mysterious Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), as some others have mentioned on here, we too did not receive any extra sticker or paperwork as part of the approval, just our passport back with the visa showing a 2 year validity. If you have a look at the BRP section on the immigration website there is a document that talks about the rollout schedule of the permits. Australia is listed as being rolled out from 31 May 2015. Because we applied before 31 May I am guessing we have just missed the requirement. People applying after 31 May 2015 may start to see the BRP being applied?
Hi and thanks for the very helpful information!
I have a quick question about providing the address in the application. I am applying for the Tier5 YMV schdulded for departure in late August. So far I only have my first nights accommodation booked. My plan is to later book some airbnb accomm until I can find my own place/share. Ideally I would like to apply for my visa asap however I am unsure of what address I should supply in my application.
Would the hotel that I am only staying at for one night be suitable? Also would this be where I tell the immigration offcier at the airport where I will be staying or my more temporary airbnb address (whatever it may be once I book it).
I have had an extended family member offer for me to use their address for my visa but it is unlikely I will be staying with them at all and I do not want them or myself to get in trouble from immigration for giving a false address.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Alanna, the address will need to be for wherever you plan to stay that first night. Just keep in mind with the UK rolling out a new BRP card that you need to collect within 10 days of arriving in the UK whatever address you use will be tied to that card and where you can pickup the card from. It’s not a major issue unless you move hours away from the first place you stayed.
The customs folks won’t care about the address they just need to see one on your application.
Hey Aussie Nomad,
Just wondering if you or anyone has or could listen out for any info relating to BRP. I have read through the posts and also cant find to much info.
I am about a week out from applying for my visa because I was planning to wait until 2 months out, so travelling around Europe wouldn’t go into my visa time to much (a month at most).
I was intending to apply June 8th, fly out august 8th and for my visa to start September 8th. I fly into London for 2 days to stay with family and then fly down to Croatia on the 11th. I was planning to enter on the tourist visa, then come back up to ‘activate’ my Tier 5 Visa sometime whenever I had to leave the EU Schengen zone, or my travel cash ran out.
do you think this will be a problem now with the new BRP card? I know I may have to be back into the UK within 30 days of my visa date (which is doable I guess, or I will have to if its compulsory)- but do you think with the new temporary 30 day visa they seem to be giving to pick up your BRP that they would allow me to enter on tourist visa in the first place?
I understand people may not have this info yet, so not sure who to ask this question. thanks 🙂
Hi Talisa, at this point the biometric resident permit card has only just been rolled out as of the 31st of May so I don’t believe anybody has applied and headed over to the UK as yet to tell me anymore than what’s on the website. My understanding however is that from the start date of your visa you must enter the UK within 30 days of that to collect your BRP card. After that you can come and go as you please. If you don’t enter within that first 30 days you’ll need to apply to get another 30 day entry permit and that I don’t know anything about as they provide limited to no information about it on the site other than thats what you need to do.
As long as you can get to the UK within that first 30 days I think you’ll be fine.
Hey Aussie Nomad,
thanks loads for the help on this, it’s awfully confusing! though i wanted to ask, i’m an australian but currently living in hong kong (from june till august) and when applying for the IHS number with the site provided via gov.uk, would it make a difference (price/time?) if i’ve clicked that i’m applying through the visa centre in Hong Kong instead?
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Cassandra, I don’t think there is any price difference etc as you’d note down you are an Australian so would be exempt of any costs for the IHS as we don’t pay anything for it we just need to apply for the number.
Hey Aussie Nomad,
I applied for the YMV from Adelaide and attended to my biometric appointment on the 20th of May and sent my application off in the same day with express registered post (tracked the post and it is arrived in Sydney on the 21st May). I haven’t received any email or nothing so far…
Kinda stressing out… do you reckon would there be anything wrong? Many people received their passports within 10 days but mine has been longer now 🙁 Help…
Hi Aussie Nomad
Quick question – I am an Australian citizen wanting to experience an Irish Working Holiday visa first, then head to the UK on a YMV.
How far into my Irish visa, can I apply for my UK YMV?
I have read somewhere on the internet that I need to be in Ireland for at least 6 months before apply for my UK YMV.
6 months doesn’t really work for me, as I need to be in the UK at a certain date.
Can you please advise if this is the case?
Thanks
Mika
Hi Mika, my understanding of applying is that you need at least 6 months left on your visa to apply for it and not that you need to be in the country for 6 months but I could be wrong. You’d be best to speak with the immigration officials to confirm I think.
Hi Aussie nomad,
I’m looking to apply for the YMS visa to be able to work and travel. However, I have also applied to study in the uk as well and assuming I do get accepted , I was going to apply for a student visa as well.
My question to you is, ( hypothetically) if I have already received clearance to enter the UK on the YMS, can I also apply for a student visa and enter the UK on the student visa and not use the YMS. In this case :
What happens to the YMS visa if I never enter the UK on that visa ? Does it just expire and allow me to re-apply for it later when I’m ready again ? Or does it just get used up and I loose it forever ?
Hi Pumal, once the YMV is granted thats it. You can’t re-apply or pause it so you can use it later on.
Hi!
My biometrics is scheduled for this Friday, the 12th. I have a bank statement, stamped on the first page (which shows my final balance on the date of application which was the second of June). Does it matter that the statement goes back to march? It still shows my balance exceeding 1890 on the 2nd of June.
Also, do I need to fill out the appendix 7 form? Or is it redundant?
So in all, I have my IHS reference email printed, my appointment confirmation, my signed application form, bank statment and passport photo!
Just trying to double check as I do not want to have to pay again, as I have to fly down to melbourne and it will cost so much!
Thank you 🙂
Hi Sarah,
This might be a bit late, but don’t forget your passport! – You didn’t have that on your list.
Good luck!
Hi Sarah, sorry for not getting back to you in time but yes you have everything you need. The appendix 7 form is now obsolete so its not needed.
Hi guys,
I would like some assistance please. I filled out my application form and then signed the declaration form. Does this mean I have to go ahead and that I will have to pay this fee?
Will I get fined if I decide not to take this any further?
Thank you
Taz
Hi Taz, if you fail to pay the fee your application expires after 30 days. You could then apply again in the future as far as I’m aware.
Just in reference to the questions about the BRP… https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/418271/v_9_overseas_BRP_leaflet.pdf
It says in the FAQ’s, if you do not enter within the 30 days of the vignette being valid, you need to apply for another 30 day visa and you will have to pay a fee! And also says you must pick up the card, or your leave could be cancelled. So I suggest people don’t make travel plans before entering the UK 🙁
Hi there Aussie Nomad,
Great website and this page has been really helpful. Apologies if I repeat a question. I turn 31 in September. Want to apply for a YMS Visa in August. I don’t want to travel til after Christmas though (work commitments). Do I have to be in the UK prior to turning 31 or do I just have to be 30 when I apply for the visa?
Thanks!
Hi Carly, with the changes to the way the YMV visa works you now must enter within 30 days of your intended start date or face having to apply for entry to the country again. Have a read up on the BRP details in my post for more info. In terms of your age I understand that you need to have applied before you turn 31 and you don’t need to be in the UK before you turn 31 to be valid. Its just the application part that needs to be sorted before 31. But based on your plans you may run into trouble with entering the UK within 30 days of the visa start date so just keep that in mind as well.
Hi Aussie Nomad,
Great write-up with a lot of valuable information!
I’m in a very similar situation as Carly, except that I turn 31 in July and therefore most definitely won’t arrive in the UK within the 30 days to pick up the BRP. Do you have any latest update regarding whether there are any conditions associated with reapplying for the 30day vignette once it expires, e.g., maximum timeframe, costs, amount for the fine if you don’t pick up the BRP on time, etc? Apologies for rehashing the BRP topic again; I know it’s a new process with limited information so far. It’s just been a little frustrating since I need to apply soon and I’ve submitted queries through the gov.uk website but their responses have been far from helpful.
Anyway, thanks in advance!
Hi Kwong, you can see updated info on the BRP above but from all accounts people applying at the moment still aren’t being issued under the new system so I’d potentially look at applying asap to get in before it kicks in.
Hello
Thank you for all this information. I am an Australian citizen looking to work in France for 2016 and then work in the UK in 2017.
Do you know if I can apply for my UK YMV from FRANCE? Or must I be in Australia when I apply?
Thank you very much
Cait
Hi Cait, if you have a valid work visa to stay in France then yes you can apply for the YMV visa from there.
Hello!
Great site and very helpful information.
I, like everyone else it would appear, am trying to work out how the new 30 day BRP vignette is going to affect the timings of entering the UK to activate my visa. Just wondering if other people are interpreting the ‘within 30 days’ to be 30 days BEFORE your intended visa start date or 30 days AFTER your intended visa state date. How are other hopeful permit holders planning their entry? Cheers.
Hi Kristen as far as I see it, it would be 30 days after the start of the visa. Entering before means you’d enter the country as a tourist and so be on a tourist visa and unable to work etc.
Hi,
Just a few questions! I am currently in the UK just as a tourist for 7 weeks however when i return back to australia i want to apply for the YMS visa and hope to be back in the uk within a month or 5 weeks from the date i apply as i have to move out of my house and my bf is in the uk. Will this be a problem? Will the question why im back so soon even though the first time was just a tourist and nxt will be a visa?
Also before i came here i had actually applied for the visa then cancelled it 5 days within a applying and did not have the biometric app will this effect my chances of getting the visa?
Thank you !
Hi Hannah, if you have the visa there will be no questions and just wave you on through. Customs are so much friendlier and happy when you enter on the visa. Once it expires however its another story altogether.
Given you cancelled before the appointment it should have no impact on applying again.