11 February 2025
The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot has been announced today. Eligible Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 have the chance to enter a ballot to live, work and study in the UK for up to two years. As part of the UK and India’s post-Brexit trade deal negotiations, it was announced that 3,000 applicants from India will be able to come to the UK on a Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) – though they will be subject to extra “country-specific eligibility requirements” that other Youth Mobility Scheme bilateral agreements don’t entail. You can read about the requirements and countries participating in other Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa agreements here.
This is a non-sponsored route. So employers do not need a sponsor licence to hire people on the YPS.
When is the ballot for Indians to apply to the Young Professionals Scheme?
The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 18 February 2025, and will close at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 20 February 2025. You can enter the ballot at any time while it is open. The link to enter can be found here during the 48 hours.
In total, there are 3,000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2025. Most places will be made available in this first ballot of this year. The remaining places will be made available in the second and final ballot in July. Those unsuccessful in the February ballot may enter the July draw too.
How to enter the Young Professionals Scheme
The link to enter the scheme will appear on the UK Home Office website here for the 48 hours from 18 – 20 February. There were problems entering last year due to the volume of people entering, so be sure to enter in good time.
You will need to provide your:
- name
- date of birth
- passport details
- a scan or photo of your passport
- phone number
- email address
Successful entries will be picked at random. You will be sent the results by email within two weeks of the ballot closing.
Who is eligible to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa?
You must first apply to and be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply to the scheme.
To be eligible for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa you must:
• be an Indian national or citizen between 18 and 30 years old
• be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK
• have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)
• have £2,530 in savings to support yourself in the UK
• not have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you’re financially responsible for
• you can’t apply if you’ve already been in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme.
What happens if you are picked in the Young Professionals Scheme visa?
Successful entries will be invited to apply for a visa and will have a deadline of 90 days from their email invite to apply online and pay the visa application fee (currently £298) and immigration health surcharge (currently £1,552 for the two-year visa), so do check your junk email.
You will need to prove your identity by either having your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre to get a biometric residence permit, or by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document.
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you should receive a decision on your visa application within around three weeks. You must travel to the UK within six months of applying for your visa.
How much does the Young Professionals Scheme application cost?
The ballot is free to enter. If successful in the ballot you do not need to tell the UK Home Office if you choose not to apply for a visa. If picked in the ballot, the visa application fee is £298, plus there is a £1,552 healthcare surcharge which is compulsory to be able to use the UK’s health service over the two years of the visa. Visa applicants will need to demonstrate £2,530 in personal savings to be eligible for a YPS visa.
What does a Young Professionals Scheme visa allow you to do in the UK?
Successful applicants will be given a visa for 24 months. People on the scheme can enter, leave and re-enter the UK any time during the period.
You will be able to study (for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate) and work in most roles, be self-employed, even set up a company so long as premises are rented, equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and there are no employees. You may not work as a professional sportsperson, extend your stay, receive public funds or bring any family members to the UK on your visa.
How do UK nationals apply for a visa for India under the Young Professionals Scheme?
The scheme is a reciprocal agreement with eligible UK graduates aged 18 to 30 able to travel and work in India for two years through the scheme. There is no ballot for British graduates applying to the scheme and they can apply at any time. The fee is £720 and details can be found on the High Commission of India website here.
More UK immigration press, media & news
Other UK immigration routes for business, work and investors
What are the best UK immigration options for recruiting Tech Workers?