The UK/Hong Kong Youth Mobility Scheme is now in its sixth year and allows young people aged between 18 and 30 to live, work or study in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years. The second ballot for the Youth Mobility Scheme 2019 for Hong Kong SAR passport holders will be opened in July 2019. Unlike previous years the selection criteria has changed to a lottery based system managed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). There will no longer be the requirement to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship.
There are 1,000 places in total available to HKSAR passport holders in 2019. A total of 500 applicants were selected for the first ballot managed by the Hong Kong Labour Department in April 2019. The second ballot in July 2019 will be opened for the remainder of places. If your application is successful you will be able to live, work and study in the UK for up to 2 years.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for the scheme you should send one email (only) to: HongKongYMS2019.ballotrequest@fco.gov.uk between Wednesday 24 July 2019, 12:00 pm (Hong Kong time) to Friday 26 July 2019, 12:00 pm (Hong Kong time). The email header or subject line must contain your name, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) and passport number as shown in your passport. This must be written in English only. For example: WONG Janet – 31/01/1985 – Passport123456789.
In the main text of your email you should include the following and must be written in English:
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Name;
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Date of birth;
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Passport Number;
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Mobile phone number.
The email account will be open for 48 hours only and all emails received within this timeframe will be sent an automated reply confirming receipt.
When the email account has closed, the remaining amount of applicants will be chosen at random by UKVI. A second email will be sent to you on Friday 2 August if you have been chosen to apply. This email will confirm acceptance and further instructions on how to make an appointment, along with documentary evidence required to apply for your entry clearance.
Please note successful applicants must prepare on-line applications and on-line credit card payments no later than 30 September 2019. Failure to submit your payment on-line by this date will automatically remove your name from the list and your allocation will be retracted. After you have paid on-line you have 90 days to submit your paperwork for consideration.
If you are a Hong Kong SAR passport holders living overseas you can also apply following the instructions above, and if you are chosen to apply you will be able to do so in your country/territory of residence. Applications cannot be submitted for the Youth Mobility Scheme 2019 in the UK. An email will be sent to unsuccessful customers on Monday 5 August to inform them they have not been chosen and that no further action is required.
Information on the Youth Mobility Scheme can be found here. Any enquiries relating to the application process, on-line application forms and questions in general should be directed to the UKVI International Enquiry Line.
Further information
British National (Overseas) passport holders are already eligible to apply for a visa under the Youth Mobility Scheme to the UK and are not subject to any quota or sponsorship requirements.
See 2019 Youth Mobility Scheme Q&A
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