On July 20th, I decided that I wanted to move to the UK to live and work with my boyfriend. I knew that I was eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa and that if you qualified it was a fairly easy visa to acquire. I am planning on traveling to the UK August 22nd, so I did not have THAT much time research and organize myself... but i did quite a bit of reading online on various blogs and websites like Canucks abroad.
Where to start:
Go to this website first, and read the UK government application info
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf28pbsyouthmobility
it instructs you to go and take the point based calculator self assessment test on
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator
which you WILL need to print out and bring with you to the visa application centre.
Next you will need to complete the online application form ( which is the same as the VAF9 form, it just depends which you fill out based on where you are located. I am in the Toronto area, and i completed the online application form, and brought a filled out VAF9 form to my appointment, but they had me remove my VAF9 form from my application, since it was identical to the online application. )
You apply online from
http://apply.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/iapply.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=formFinder&com.sun.faces.portlet.CLEAR_STATE=true&_nfls=false
Application
It was an easy application, except for the question about number of times you left Canada in the past 10 years. I travel ALOT, and they give you a tiny tiny space to put all your information. According to the many blogs i read, just fit the information you can, and dont worry about the rest, if they want to check on it, they have your passport.
(To be on the super safe side, I would recommend attaching a separate sheet of paper with that information, however it is not necessary)
Once i submitted the application form online and paid my $314.00 application fee, I received email confirmation and a notification to book my appointment at the visa application centre. This is where they take your biometrics (fingerprints) and they collect all of your paperwork to send off to ottawa
https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pages/dest_org.aspx
I completed my online application wednesday the 20th, and took the first appointment available to me which was monday the 25th. If you are in a rush with your visa, keep checking that website though because random spots seem to open up, when there are cancellations i’m guessing.
Supporting documents
On thursday the 21st, I went to my bank, and got a letter from the bank confirming the level of funds i had in my account ( must be over 1600 pounds...around $2500). I also got got a signed stamped “customer snapshot” of my account, which indicated the level of funds.
I am not sure if the customer snapshot would be enough as evidence, but the signed letter is. The letter must be on the official bank stationary/ letterhead and clearly show:
1. your name;
2. your account number;
3. the date of the letter;
4. the financial institution’s name and logo;
5. that funds of at least £1600 are held in your account.
Another supporting document i submitted was a letter from the person I would be staying with once i arrived in the UK. I will be staying with my boyfriends family for a little while, until we can get ourselves on our feet. His aunt sent me a scanned and signed letter stating that this was true, and included her phone numbers and her address. This is not necessary but, i did find on one website that this could help speed up the process!
Biometrics
On monday, I headed into toronto for my appointment get my biometrics. Here is a piece of advice, don’t show up more then 15 minutes early for your appointment, they will likely turn you away since it is a small room and they run behind. From the time of my appointment at 1:45, i waited about 1 hour and a half, until i had my finger prints done. Also, NO electronics are allowed to be used in the room, that includes having your phone out at all, on silent.... texting.. using the internet... not allowed! lol
They took my fingerprint scans, took a photo of me (note: you still need to take in a colored passport sized photo) and I paid my $15 in courier fees. ( they said you would get your application back 1-2 days sooner if you have it couriered back to you, instead of picking it up at the toronto office. After finger prints and face scan, The woman sealed my documents, placed them in the DHL envelope, and told me they would reach ottawa by 9 am tomorrow morning.
The Entire Process
Wednesday July 20th - I filled out my application online, and booked my appointment at the Visa Application centre in toronto
Thursday July 21st- I went to the bank and got a proof of funds letter
Monday July 25th- Appointment at the Visa application centre, left paper work with them to send off
Tuesday July 26th- I got an e-mail by 11 am from the visa centre that they has received my documents
Thursday july 28th- By 11 am i had am e-mail in my inbox saying my Visa had been issued and my documents would be back in my procession in 3 days!
Friday July 29th- My Passport arrived at my house by 4pm in a DHL envelope!
What i submitted
Here is exactly what i submitted, the originals and a photocopy of each:
1. A signed and scanned letter from person I will be staying with in the UK ( not necessary)
2. Appendix 7 Form, pages 1-2. Found on http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf28pbsyouthmobility
3. A signed letter from Bank indicating current cash funds, on official bank letter head.
4. Signed and Stamped Customer snapshot of bank account
5. Point Based Calculations self-assessment ,printed off in PDF form from UK Border Agency website
6. Copy of online application form, pages 1-8 ( please note page 7, indicating that the $314.00 application fee has been paid in full)
7. One colored Passport sized photo
8. My Canadian Passport ( YES your passport gets sent with your application, so dont have any travel plans while waiting for your application to come back)
9. Copy of Birth certificate ( not necassary... but good)
10. IF you have your old passports, you must send these too. I did not submit my old passport because it was detroyed and retained by passport canada. If you dont have one either.. just say that in your application form.
You must also submit a PHOTOCOPY of everything in your application packet
And that is the whole experience of my UK youth Mobility visa application! It took me from Wednesday July 20th- Friday 29th to get my Visa Issued and sent back to me! Can't believe it was that quick... Still i would not recommend waiting, it can take 15 business days or longer once your paper work is sent to ottawa, and your passport if gone for that whole time, so save yourself the stress and give yourself a month or 2!
If you have any questions, please just ask! UK here I come…
Great info, thanks so much for sharing,
ReplyDeleteThis was really useful information. I am looking at applying right now, to be with my boyfriend who is also in the UK (he is scottish). Did you have any questions or difficulty because you were going to be with your boyfriend? In the past when I have travelled to the UK to visit him I was always stopped and asked tons of questions, etc. even had my luggage searched once!
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