Youth Mobility Scheme

The UK is currently making the biggest immigration law changes for the last 40 years.

Prior to Novemeber 2008 to be an au pair in the UK you would need:
• To be an EU citizen; or
• Get a holiday work visa, for example British commonwealth countries like Australia & South Africa; or
• You are a national of a country that is part of the au pair programme for example Turkey and Macedonia; or
• Obtain a blue card from BUNAC (British Universities North America Club).

The above will no longer be applicable from December of this year (2008) and will be replaced by TIER 5 of the new points-based system.

That means to qualify to be an au pair in the UK you will need to be:
• An EU citizen; or
• A national of a participating country; or
• A British overseas citizen; or
• A British overseas territories citizen; or
• A British national (overseas)

Also:
• You will also need to be aged between 18 and 30 years of age and have sufficient funds to support yourself from when you first enter the United Kingdom until you start earning.
• You may not participate in the youth mobility scheme if you have dependant children or have previously spent time in the United Kingdom as a working holidaymaker.
• You will be expected to leave the United Kingdom when your permission to stay ends.
• You will only be able to come to the United Kingdom on the youth mobility scheme once.

We are yet to be informed by the UK border agency which countries will be participating in the youth mobility scheme.

For the latest information please visit the UK Border Agency site.