How does the mobility scheme work?

Queries about the Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5)?

• I am thinking of travelling to the UK on the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa in the summer of 2011 but I have quite a lot of queries in my mind and I hope somebody could offer me some answers/advices. 1) Is it difficult to find a job in the UK? I am not very sure but it seems that people who travel to England with a YMS visa would try to find jobs in London. So is it competitive to find jobs in London or can I try to find jobs in some other cities? And usually what type of jobs can I find with a YMS visa? 2) Is the problem of racial discrimination serious in the UK? As I am Chinese I am worried that I might encounter some unfair treatment at work/renting a house/shopping for things etc.? 3) As I am only allowed to work no more than a year during my 2-year stay in the UK, what can I do during the other year? Am I allowed to apply for Master Degree programmes during the period? 4) I have heard that it is really costly to live in the UK. How much approximately do you need for a month if you really try to economize, cook often at home and shop less? A little bit of background information about myself: I will be 23 next year and I am from Hong Kong. I am in my final year and my Degree programme is Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature. I am a British National (Overseas) passport holder so I am eligible for participating in this scheme even though I'm not from New Zealand/Canada/Japan/Australia. Thanks a lot :)

• Answer:

  1. You can do almost any work you want. The only limitations are working as a doctor or dentist. You cannot employ staff and if you set up a business, its assets must mot exceed £5,000. THe type of work you do will depend on whether you want to travel extensively in which case you may be limited to part time or temp work. I have known people come as teachers, secretaries or simply taken what jobs come along in the leisure and hospitality business. As anywhere at the moment, jobs are in short supply, but hopefully by next summer things will have improved. If you have a real marketable skill, you will find it easier and there are plenty of specialist agencies in all fields in the UK to help you find work in specific fields. This agency started out as a temp agency for Australasians, mainly on the working holiday visa, but take on candidates from all over the world and have expanded their operation somewhat over the years. They are an excellent and very professional agency and look after their people very well, helping them with things such as opening a bank account in the UK. http://www.atcrecruitment.com/candidates.php 2. There are idiots, racists and ignorant morons everywhere and of course the UK has its share. However, on the whole the British are well used to people from other countries and cultures and you shouldn't run into any major problems. You are English speaking and well educated and I doubt anyone would assume anything other than you are a British resident. There are plenty of Chinese people in every town and city in the UK. Even the smallest of towns will have at least one Chinese restaurant! 3. On the YMS visa you are allowed to work for the whole two years. THe rule for the old working holiday visa was that you could only work for half of your stay, but it led to such uncontrolled and unpoliceable abuse that the YMS visa now allows you to work the whole period of your stay if you wish. You cannot study on this visa. If you wish to study, you must get a student visa. You cannot change status on the YMS, so this would mean that you would have to return home to apply. 4. Students are expected to bring £800 per month if they are living in London, or £600 a month if they studying elsewhere in the UK. It's not a bad yardstick to use. You need £1,600 in funds to bring with you to qualify for the visa which equates to roughly two months maintenance funds in London and just under three months elsewhere in London. Look at some of the University web sites when you decide where you would like to live as they often give good advice about local rents and living costs. Her's an example. You can take out the items that won't apply to you. http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/single.htm?ipg=7832