UK Visas & Immigration confirmed on 15 July 2026 that all 2026 Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) ballots have now closed after the second and final round for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport holders ran from 00:01 on 14 July to 00:01 on 16 July (Hong Kong time). The July ballot distributed the remaining places of the 1,000 total annual quota available to Hong Kong nationals after most were taken in February. Under the YMS, successful candidates aged 18-30 can live and work in the UK for up to two years without employer sponsorship, making the scheme popular among recent graduates and employers looking to hire Hong Kong talent quickly. Applicants selected in the ballot must submit their full visa application and biometrics within 90 days. For mobility managers, the closure of the 2026 ballots means no further opportunities will arise until the 2027 intake is announced. Corporates hoping to place junior Hong Kong staff in the UK should therefore plan around alternative routes—such as the Graduate, Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas—or wait until next year’s quota opens. Organisations sponsoring interns should also track the 90-day filing deadline for staff who receive a successful ballot email by 30 July 2026. Employers are advised to communicate with eligible staff immediately: unsuccessful entrants cannot appeal this year and must prepare for the 2027 ballot, while successful entrants need to budget £340 for the visa, plus the immigration health surcharge, and arrange a UK Biometric Appointment. Timely action will avoid forfeiting a hard-won slot.
Source: UK Visas & Immigration
