The UK and EU have pledged to work towards creating a ‘youth experience scheme’, so young people can spend time in the UK/EU for various reasons. This could include work, studies, being au

pairs, volunteering or simply travelling, but all for a limited period. Such opportunities have been very limited post Brexit. The pledge was part of a new partnership deal agreed between

the UK and EU at a one-day summit in May. Summits will, in future, be held annually. Both sides stated they wished to “deepen people-to-people ties” and in particular for the younger

generation.  This would, however, not amount to ‘free movement’ and would involve the young people applying for a specific, new kind of visa, and there may be quotas. The UK will also, it is

SCHEME The announcement did not come as a surprise, as the UK’s European relations minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, had already confirmed, for the first time, the government’s interest in a

‘youth mobility scheme’.  Read more: Are French residency card holders affected by 90/180 days rule when travelling inside EU? UK ministers previously said the country had no such plans. “A

smart, controlled youth mobility scheme would of course have benefits for our young people”, Mr Thomas-Symonds told UK journalists. This came as, in May, the European Commissioner for Trade,

Maros Sefcovic, also referred to “rebuilding bridges for our young people” as one of the areas in which they saw scope for a deeper UK-EU relationship.  Mr Starmer had also indicated

support, saying: “We’ve got red lines, but we’re pragmatists”. In 2024, the commission proposed negotiations on an agreement allowing 18 to 30-year-olds to apply for a visa to spend up to

four years in the UK or EU for any reason. At the time, Labour and the Conservative government rejected this saying it looked too much like free movement. Prior to May’s summit, the

Financial Times reported seeing EU briefing documents “discussed by EU ambassadors” saying that the EU was proposing a visa enabling work, study, or simply travel, as long as the young

person shows sufficient funds.  The documents said the UK is open to “exploring” this, but wants it to be time-limited and with no possibility of applicants bringing dependents or accessing

benefits. The EU was also reportedly asking that EU citizens be able to return to paying the UK’s reduced ‘home’ fees to attend UK universities, while the UK was looking for an easing of

rules for touring artists. The EU may be open to accepting a visa for as little as 12 months and may accept quotas and/or limits on work sectors open to the visa holders, the Guardian

reports inside sources as saying. Read more: UK-EU summit – Will British travellers be allowed to use e-gates in EU? CULTURAL EXCHANGE The managing director of UK visa consultants Holmes and

Partners, Michelle Holmes, told The Connexion that a youth visa would provide a “clear, predictable path for cultural exchange and labour support without reopening the door to open-ended

migration”.  “I would expect the UK to agree to a firm annual cap after which no further visas would be issued until the next year’s quota opens. To protect domestic labour markets, the

scheme will likely feature sectoral limits so that we can prioritise industries like hospitality, tourism and seasonal work. This would shore up industries facing real shortages without

overloading others.  “To keep net flows balanced, we could use a “one in, one out” reciprocity rule, meaning that for every young person arriving from the EU, a UK youngster would take up a

place on the continent.” She added: “I think it is regrettable that, since Brexit, it has become so much more difficult for young people to spend time abroad, experience new cultures and

sharpen their language skills. Visas, health surcharges and tighter stay limits have replaced the mobility of just a few years ago.” Since Brexit, EU citizens can only visit or study - but

not work - in the UK for up to six months at a time and Britons can only do so in France or other EU countries visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period, a rule that covers the whole of

the EU’s Schengen area. Read more: Transiting flights – Have EU rules changed regarding passports? VISA APPLICATIONS Studying for longer periods, or doing any work, requires complex and

costly visa applications and in the case of work, for the employer to obtain permission to employ the person, providing evidence it was not possible to employ someone for the role locally.

The UK already has a ‘Youth Mobility Scheme’ for 18-30-year-olds from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea (people from several other countries, including Japan and Monaco, can

come if selected in a ballot). They must pay a £319 fee, have £2,530 in the bank as evidence of ability to support themselves and pay a £776 a year healthcare levy. They can stay up to two

years, extendable by a year. Options include studying, working in most jobs or being self-employed. The young people cannot bring family members or obtain benefits. As part of post-Brexit

negotiations with India, the UK has now started a similar scheme for Indians, but by ballot (ie. quota-limited) and with a higher healthcare charge. French people are not eligible for these,

although France has its own visa vacances-travail, for 18-30-year-olds from countries which have signed bilateral deals with it, including Canada and Australia. They may come for one year

as ‘tourists’ but with the chance to work to supplement income.