Applying for a visa: Everything you need to know when moving from Australia to the UK

It can feel overwhelming when you begin the visa application process. It’s hard to know from the beginning exactly what you need and when - until now! Below is a step-by-step guide from our process of applying for the Youth Mobility Visa in 2023. 

Visa requirements

  • You want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years

  • 18 - 30 years old 

  • Have £2,530 in savings (roughly $4,700 depending on exchange rate)

  • You can apply for your visa within 6 months of your entry date into the UK 

Step 1: Application

You can apply online via the UK government website and the process has 6 parts: 

  1. Details (part 1 - 4): provide your personal details and travel history over the last 10 years

  2. Pay (part 5): you have to pay a health insurance fee which is £624 ($1,115) per year. 

  3. Pay, again (part 6): It costs £228 for the visa on top of the health care fee. In total the visa cost us $2,500.

Step 2: Upload supporting documentation

Prior to your biometrics appointment, log into the VFS Global website and upload your supporting documents 24 hours prior to your appointment. You have to submit: 

  • A bank statement showing you have £2,530 in your bank for the 28 days prior to the date your application was submitted. E.g. if you submitted your application on 29 March, you would have to provide a bank statement for 1 - 28 March.

Step 3: Biometrics

Once you’ve completed your application, you have to attend the VFS visa centre you selected for your biometrics, which involves:

  • Bringing a printed checklist document

  • Brining your passport

  • Having your photo taken 

  • Having your fingerprints taken

After your biometrics appointment it can take 3-6 weeks for the process to be completed. You’ll receive an email once your visa application has been proceed and you will have to go back to the same building or organise a courier to deliver your passport. If you go in person, make sure you bring the receipt or printed email advising your passport is ready.

Your visa will be in the back of your passport and will indicate a 90 day period that you can enter the UK starting on the date you advised you’d enter.

Step 4: BRP Card

Once you arrive in the UK, you have 10 days to collect your BRP card from your selected post office. 

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