Youth mobility scheme for APs from NZ, Canada, Aus, Japan..

[iheartdusty]

Can anyone tell me how this is working out in practice?

I have potential APs from these countries, but I find it hard to imagine that they have £1,600 in their bank accounts (requirement of the YMS, apparently.

If someone does apply for admission to the UK under this scheme, how quickly does it get processed?

Anyone had an au pair (or nanny, or whatever) who came via this scheme?

I've looked into this. There are some people I know who applied in early Dec 08 and received the visa by late Dec 08. Many of them have been saving up for a couple of years (not for the YMS, but other types of visas - I think the YMS has not been widely publicised, so many of them were surprised to learn about it suddenly). I've not taken on anyone yet but am thinking of it. A 2 year visa with no restrictions on working hours sounds like a great way to recruit an experienced childcarer.

Thanks GreenBlack. I agree, once through the hoops it offers a lot of opportunities. Not sure whether it offers quite the same attraction to someone less experienced (ie cheaper).

No experience... yet. But interested to see how you get on.

Presumably this isn't available for people from the Phillipines?

Nope.

Thought not

Never mind

I think you'd be surprised at how many of them can get that much money in their savings account, especially as the exchange rate has made it more positive for them right now.

It is quite common to have part time jobs while studying in secondary schools in Australia. I myself was a bit useless with saving my money, but I did earn a fair wack. The hourly rate paid is a lot better than here.

Also, doing travel out of Australia on the cheap is just impossible because it is so far from anywhere, so the idea of travelling with hardly any money to your name is not overly sensible. (Not that plenty of them don't try it!)

Am watching this thread with interest as I'd like a Aus/NZ/Canadian au pair.

I have been trying to find out if there is a chance the US will be joining this Tier 5 visa but can't really find any concrete info (or even rumours). Has anyone else heard anything about whether the USA are likely to be joining?

Thanks

I have identified a perfect (well apparently but lets not start that debate right now) candidate for our au pair from the US so did some research into this

With regards to the US, the stated criteria for Tier 5 inclusion is do they come from a country where they are likely to go home and is there a reciprical scheme (I paraphrase)?

On this basis and given there was a previous scheme (the blue card scheme) and a reciprical scheme (the J-1 visa) the expectation was that the USA would be on the list for the 28 November. when the list was publish on 26 November (nothing like advance notice eh?) no USA.

I emailed BUNAC who sponsored the old blue card scheme (I also emailed the border agency but they ignored me), there reply was fairly bullish, they hope/expect something to be in place by the summer, but no they are not taking applicants at the moment in the expectation that there will be something in place by the summer, just in case!

Rats!

I've found a great girl from the US too but am becoming less and less hopeful. I emailed Bunac too and got 1 line back which was along the lines of 'no, we have no idea'. When my prospective AP phoned the authorities there they also said no plans but she (AP) thinks it may be to do with the change over of presidents holding things up. I don't need anyone til August but I'm reluctant to make a firm commitment just in case.

Had a reply from the border agency -

We cannot advise you about the policy matters and what might change in future for this visa category

• so thats helpful then

yes, very helpful.

back to the drawing board, then?