U.K. issues first visas through new program

British Ambassador Scott Wightman (center) poses with Shin You-na (left) and Park Soo-hyun, the first Korean recipients of the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa, in Seoul on Thursday. (British Embassy)

The United Kingdom awarded its first visas under the Youth Mobility Scheme to two Koreans in Seoul on Thursday.

British Ambassador Scott Wightman presented the visas to 28-year-old Shin You-na and 26-year-old Park Soo-hyun who will be studying and working in the U.K. for the next two years.

Under the new visa, young South Koreans can reside in the U.K. for up to two years, where they can study or work freely without concerns of sponsorship.

“The Youth Mobility Scheme offers excellent opportunities to young people from both Korea and the U.K. to experience new cultures and reach their full potential,” said Wightman.

“This is a much more straightforward process which reflects the confidence that the U.K. immigration authorities have in processes in Korea and vice versa,” added the ambassador.

The YMS is also available to Britons who are interested in doing the same in Korea.

Shin, who has studied curation of contemporary art at the Royal College of Art, will be taking the opportunity to gain work experience in the country.

“I think this program will definitely add some more value to my career and I’m very happy to take this unique opportunity,” said Shin.

Park, who has previously studied in the U.K., took the opportunity to land an internship in the country.

“I am already excited to go to the U.K. and hope I can share my experience with other Korean people who would like to apply for this program,” she said.

The ambassador hoped that this opportunity would serve as a bridge between both countries and promote exchanges between them as the participants build careers through the program.

“We hope it will increase the number of young Koreans who are getting experience in the U.K. and who will in the future, as a consequence, take an active interest in prompting bilateral relations,” he said.

The U.K. currently has eight countries participating in the scheme, including Australia, Monaco, Japan and Taiwan.

The U.K. will allot 1,000 visas in 2013 to applicants who receive a “Certificate of Sponsorship” through Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)