The UK is calling, and the clock is ticking! Get ready for one of the most exciting youth opportunities of the year — the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is back with its second ballot round for 2025, opening exactly at 00:01am on Tuesday, 15 July 2025, and closing at 00:01am on Thursday, 17 July 2025. If you’re from Hong Kong or Taiwan, this is your chance to win the golden ticket to live, work, and experience life in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years!
What Is the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS)?
The YMS allows young people aged 18 to 30 from eligible countries to work, travel, and live in the UK without needing job sponsorship. It’s your passport to new adventures, career opportunities, and life-changing cultural experiences in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
But here’s the twist — it’s a ballot-based system for certain countries, and only a limited number of spots are up for grabs in July.
Who Needs to Enter the July 2025 Ballot?
If you’re a passport holder from:
- Hong Kong (SAR passport)
- Taiwan
You must enter the ballot to be eligible for the visa. And The Good News: Nationals of Japan and South Korea can now apply at any time — no ballot needed!
️ Ballot Details Are Revealed for July 2025
| Criteria | Information |
|---|---|
| Ballot Window Opens | 15 July 2025 at 00:01am (local time) |
| Ballot Window Closes | 17 July 2025 at 00:01am (local time) |
| Total Spots Available | 1,000 for Hong Kong and 1,000 for Taiwan |
| Notification of Results | By 1 August 2025 |
| Visa Application Deadline | Within 90 days of successful ballot selection |
| Visa Duration | 2 years |
| Age Eligibility | 18 to 30 years old |
How to Enter the Ballot – It’s Simple but Strict!
To enter the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot, start by composing your email in English. The subject line of your email must strictly follow this format: Lastname Firstname – DD/MM/YYYY – Passport Number. For example: Wong Janet – 31/03/2000 – 123456789.
In the body of the email, include your full name, date of birth, passport number, and mobile phone number. Make sure all the information is accurate and complete. Depending on your nationality, send your ballot entry to the correct email address: Hong Kong applicants must email [email protected], and Taiwan applicants must email [email protected].
Only one ballot entry is allowed per person—any duplicate submissions will be disqualified, so double-check before hitting send.
Apply: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/youth-mobility-scheme-visa-ballot-system.
If You’re Selected…
- You’ll be notified by 1 August 2025.
- Apply within 90 days, submit biometrics, and pay the visa fee.
- You’ll get an eVisa instead of a sticker in your passport.
- A decision usually comes within 3 weeks!
❌ If You’re Not Selected…
- You’ll receive a rejection email within 2 weeks of the ballot’s close.
- No appeals allowed — but don’t worry! You can try again in future ballots as long as you’re still eligible.