UK India Young Professionals Scheme is a visa route that lets Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. The scheme came out of the Migration and Mobility Partnership between India and the UK, and it gives young Indian professionals a chance to work, study and gain experience abroad without a job offer before they arrive.
To apply, the first step is to be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot, which is the only way to get an invitation to submit a visa application. All ballots for 2026 have closed, and there will be no further ballots in 2026. Details of future ballots will be shared on the official gov.uk page when they are announced.
UK India Young Professionals Scheme
The scheme is part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership between India and the UK. It supports the legal and orderly movement of students and skilled workers between the two countries, and it helps people build skills that they can use back home. The scheme also works to stop illegal migration and to make sure people who are not allowed to stay are returned to their country as per the rules.
For Indian citizens, the scheme offers a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. It is a ballot based visa, so the selection is random and depends on the number of places available each year. In 2026, there were 3,000 places in total.
Eligibility
To qualify for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, the applicant must meet a set of conditions. These are checked before entering the ballot, so it is best to confirm the eligibility first.
- Indian citizen aged between 18 and 30 years old
- Must be at least 18 years old on the date of travel to the UK
- Must hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification at degree level or above
- Must have £2,530 in savings to support themselves in the UK
- Must not have children under 18 who live with them or who they are financially responsible for
The money in the bank account must be available for at least 28 days in a row, and day 28 must fall within 31 days of applying for the visa. Proof of this money is needed at the time of application.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | UK India Young Professionals Scheme |
| Eligibility | Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree or above |
| Visa Fee | £340 plus healthcare surcharge of £1,552 |
| Savings Needed | £2,530 |
| Stay Duration | Up to 24 months |
| Official Website | gov.uk |
Visa Fee and Costs
Applying for the visa costs a few amounts. The application fee is £340, and the applicant also needs to pay a healthcare surcharge of £1,552. On top of this, the applicant must show £2,530 in personal savings. The application fee is not refunded if the application is rejected, so it is best to check the eligibility before applying.
How to Apply
The application process for the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa is ballot based. Here is how it works.
STEP 1 - Check the eligibility for the visa on the official gov.uk page, including the qualification and savings rules, before entering the ballot.
STEP 2 - Enter the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot on the official gov.uk website. The applicant needs to give their name, date of birth, passport details, a scan or photo of the passport, phone number and email address.
STEP 3 - Wait for the ballot result, which is sent to email within two weeks of the ballot closing. Successful entries are picked at random.
STEP 4 - If selected, the applicant gets an invitation to apply for the visa. They have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the fee and healthcare surcharge, and provide their fingerprints and photo.
STEP 5 - Complete the visa application and provide the required documents. The decision usually comes within three weeks.
All ballots for 2026 have closed, and there will be no further ballots in 2026. The next ballot dates will be published on the official gov.uk page when they are announced.
What the Visa Allows
The visa allows the holder to stay and work in the UK for up to 24 months. The holder can study for some courses, work in most jobs, and even be self-employed or set up a company under certain conditions. The visa does not allow the holder to extend their stay, apply for most public benefits, or include family members on the same application.
For more details on the related route, see the UK India Youth Mobility Scheme Guidelines and the Young India Professionals Scheme 2025 last date and application guide.
FAQ's
Is the India Young Professionals Scheme visa still open?
The scheme is still running, but all ballots for 2026 have closed. There will be no further ballots in 2026. Future ballot dates will be announced on the official gov.uk page.
How many places are available each year?
In 2026, there were 3,000 places for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. Most places were given in the first ballot in February, and the rest in the second ballot in July.
What is the visa fee?
The application fee is £340, plus a healthcare surcharge of £1,552. The applicant also needs to show £2,530 in savings.
Can I bring family members with me?
No, family members cannot be included on the same application. They must apply separately.