Thursday 23 February 2023

The recently announced India Young Professional Scheme visa will allow Indian nationals between the age of 18 and 30 to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. This is a similar arrangement to the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, with additional steps in the application process. The first step requires that applicants enter a ballot system through UKVI. Only those who are successful in the ballot will be invited to apply for the visa – the Home Office has confirmed that there are 2,400 visas available for the February ballot, with the next ballot expected in late July.

Eligibility requirements

Before entering the ballot, applicants must confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements for the India Young Professional Scheme visa, which are to:

• be an Indian citizen
• be between 18 and 30 years old
• have an eligible qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above
• have at least £2,530 in savings
• not have children under the age of 18 who live with them or for whom they are financially responsible

Ballot system

The ballot system for the first intake of applicants will open on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 2:30pm India Standard Time and close on Thursday 2 March 2023 at 8:59pm India Standard Time. Applicants must provide the following information to UKVI to be entered into the ballot:

• full name
• date of birth
• details of current passport
• photo or scan of current passport
• phone number
• email address

There is no cost to enter the ballot and all entries must be submitted online via the UKVI website. Entries will be picked at random and successful applicants will be sent their results within two weeks of the ballot closing. They will then have 30 days to submit the online application and pay the £259 application fee and relevant Immigration Health Surcharge.

Get in touch

To learn more about the India Young Professional Scheme visa and forthcoming changes to UK immigration law, see our website, contact your assigned LDI lawyer or email  enquiries@lauradevine.com.