Fancy pulling pints in a London pub by night and exploring Edinburgh by weekend, all on a proper visa with no employer sponsorship faff? The UK's Youth Mobility Scheme lets Canadians aged 18-35 live and work there for up to 3 years. Here's exactly how it works.
- Who
- Canada passport holders
- Age
- 18–35
- Stay
- up to 3 years
- Cost
- ~£340 + £776/yr health surcharge
- Places
- Uncapped for Canada
What This Visa Is and Who It Suits
The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is the UK's working holiday route for Canadians aged 18 to 35 (you must apply before turning 36). Unlike many countries, Canada isn't subject to an annual quota, so you won't be racing against a ballot or limited spots. It suits recent grads, career-breakers, or anyone wanting genuine work experience abroad rather than casual fruit-picking gigs. You can work for any employer, freelance, or even start a business, making it far more flexible than a standard tourist visa.
How to Apply and the Key Timeline
Applications happen online through the UK government's visa portal before you travel. You'll need proof of Canadian citizenship, your age, and evidence of £2,530 in savings held continuously for 28 days before applying. The visa costs roughly £340, plus you'll pay the Immigration Health Surcharge upfront, around £776 per year of your stay. Processing typically takes a few weeks, so apply once your travel dates are firm but leave buffer time. Since there's no quota for Canadians, timing pressure is lower than for capped nationalities.
What You Can Actually Do There
This visa grants proper working rights, meaning you can take full-time jobs, switch employers freely, freelance, or set up a business, unlike restrictive youth visas elsewhere. Canadians initially get 24 months, with the option to extend for a further year, giving you up to 3 years total in the UK. That's ample time to build a career runway, save meaningfully, and still travel widely across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus easy weekend hops to Europe.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Don't apply the moment your savings hit £2,530; the funds must sit untouched for a full 28 days beforehand, so plan ahead. Budget properly for the health surcharge, which is paid upfront in one lump sum, not monthly, and can catch people out financially. Also don't leave your extension application until the last minute if you want the extra year; start that process well before your initial 24 months expire to avoid gaps in your legal status.
Common questions
How much money do I need for the UK Youth Mobility visa?
You need £2,530 in savings, held continuously in your account for at least 28 days before you submit your application, to prove you can support yourself initially.
Can Canadians extend their UK working holiday visa?
Yes. Canadians typically receive 24 months initially, with the option to extend for one additional year, bringing your total possible stay to 3 years.
Is there a limit on how many Canadians can get this visa?
No, Canada currently has no annual quota for the Youth Mobility Scheme, so eligible applicants aged 18-35 can apply without competing for limited spots.
Kiera leads our working-holiday and visa coverage — the eligibility rules, the fees, and the fine print that actually decides whether you can go. She's most at home on the Australia and New Zealand routes and keeps it plain, with every number checked against the official government source.
Guidance only — youth-mobility rules, ages, quotas and fees change. Always confirm on the official government page before you book flights or apply.
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