Transitional arrangements for Tier 5 - youth mobility scheme

This page explains our planned transitional arrangements for people currently in the United Kingdom under an immigration category that will close when Tier 5 of the points-based system is introduced. The information is based on our statements of intent published on 6 May 2008. The information in this section will be updated as we continue to develop the policy over the next few months.

When the Tier 5 - youth mobility scheme is introduced, the following immigration categories will close:

• au pair scheme;
• British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) scheme;
• Gap year entrants;
• Japan: Youth Exchange;
• research assistants to Members of Parliament;
• working holidaymakers scheme.

Anyone wishing to enter the United Kingdom for the first time under one of these categories without an entry clearance must do so before the introduction of Tier 5 in autumn 2008. Those who have been granted entry clearances under one of those categories before the introduction of Tier 5 will be able to enter and re-enter the United Kingdom at any time while their entry clearance is still valid. Once Tier 5 is open, we will not grant any new applications for entry clearance, permission to enter or extensions of stay under these categories.

If you have already been granted an entry clearance under one of these schemes or already been granted leave to enter at a United Kingdom port for a period of more than six months under one of the schemes, you will be able to enter and re-enter the United Kingdom and complete your period of leave. However, if you have only been granted leave to enter at a port for six months or less under one of the schemes, and you subsequently leave the United Kingdom before that leave has expired, will not be able to re-enter the United Kingdom to complete your period of leave, as it will have lapsed on your departure.

You will be expected to leave the United Kingdom when your permission to stay ends.

The separate au pair arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals remain unaffected by these changes.