Home Department written question – answered at on 12 February 2009.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to decide on the participating countries in the Youth Mobility scheme; and whether any countries not currently participating are seeking to participate.
The Tier 5 Statement of Intent published in May 2008 (copies of which are available in the House Library), sets out the eligibility criteria for a country to join the Youth Mobility Scheme. As well as agreeing to be the sponsor of its participating nationals, each country needs to:
(a) have an acceptably low level of immigration risk, and not be subject to a mandatory UK visa regime;
(b) operate satisfactory returns arrangements with the UK; and
(c) provide reciprocal opportunities for young UK nationals.
Expressions of interest from countries to join the new Youth Mobility Scheme are confidential to the UK Government and the countries concerned. Discussions need to remain confidential in order for countries to feel able to explore their possible involvement and make any appropriate adjustments to fulfil all the criteria for inclusion in the scheme before any public statements about their involvement are made.
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