UK India Youth Mobility Scheme guidelines are available to download in PDF format at www.gov.uk. For Indian citizens, this route is now handled through the India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS), which lets young people live and work in the UK for up to 2 years without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship.
The guidelines are published for Home Office staff and explain how to work through applications from people who wish to come to the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme route. The latest version of the guidance was updated for the 2026 ballot season.
UK India Youth Mobility Scheme
Youth Mobility Scheme is a route for young people from participating countries who want to experience life in the UK. For Indian applicants, entry is through the India Young Professionals Scheme, which runs on a ballot system. In 2026, there were 3,000 places for Indian applicants, split between a first ballot in February and a second ballot in July.
All ballots for the 2026 India Young Professionals Scheme have now closed. The next ballot is expected to open in 2027, and details will be published on the official gov.uk website. Anyone who missed the 2026 ballots can enter the next one as long as they still meet the eligibility rules.
Eligibility for Indian Applicants
To apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:
- Be an Indian national or citizen between 18 and 30 years old, and at least 18 on the date of travel to the UK
- Hold a qualification at bachelor's degree level or above, which is Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8, or an equal overseas degree
- Have at least £2,530 in savings to support themselves in the UK, with the money held for 28 days in a row
- Not have any children under the age of 18 who live with them or who they are financially responsible for
Applicants must first enter and be selected in the ballot before they can apply for the visa. Anyone who has already been in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa cannot apply again.
How the Ballot Works
The ballot is free to enter, and only one entry is allowed per person for each ballot. Any duplicate entries are not counted. To enter, an applicant needs their name, date of birth, passport details, a scan or photo of the passport, phone number and email address. Successful entries are picked at random, and results are sent by email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.
If an applicant is successful in the ballot, they have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online for the visa, pay the visa fee and immigration health surcharge, and provide their fingerprints and photo at a Visa Application Centre. The results of the ballot are final, and there is no appeal if an applicant is unsuccessful.
Visa Fee and Stay
The application fee for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa is £340. Applicants also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, which is usually £776 per year. Once granted, the visa allows the holder to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. The holder can study, work in most jobs, and be self-employed, but cannot work as a professional sportsperson or bring family members on the same application.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | UK India Youth Mobility Scheme (India Young Professionals Scheme) |
| Launched By | UK Home Office |
| Beneficiaries | Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 |
| Benefit | Live and work in the UK for up to 2 years |
| Visa Fee | £340 |
| Official Website | www.gov.uk |
Application Steps
STEP 1 - Check the eligibility rules on the official gov.uk page for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa before entering the ballot.
STEP 2 - Enter the ballot when it opens by providing the required details on the official ballot page. The ballot is free and open for a fixed window.
STEP 3 - If selected in the ballot, apply online for the visa within 90 days, pay the visa fee and health surcharge, and give fingerprints and a photo at a Visa Application Centre.
STEP 4 - Wait for the visa decision, which usually comes within 3 weeks of the appointment, and then create a UKVI account to access the eVisa before travelling.
Official Guidelines PDF
The full Youth Mobility Scheme guidance for Home Office staff is available as a PDF on the gov.uk website. The document covers how to consider applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme route, including applicants for the India Young Professionals Scheme who use the Youth Mobility Scheme application form. Download the Youth Mobility Scheme guidelines PDF for the complete details.
FAQ's
Is the UK India Youth Mobility Scheme still open?
The scheme is still running, but all ballots for the 2026 India Young Professionals Scheme have closed. The next ballot is expected to open in 2027, and details will be shared on the official gov.uk page.
Who can apply under the India Young Professionals Scheme?
Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree or above, at least £2,530 in savings, and no children under 18 can apply. They must first be selected in the ballot.
How much does the visa cost?
The visa application fee is £340, and the immigration health surcharge is usually £776 per year. Applicants also need to show they have enough savings to support themselves.
How long can a person stay in the UK?
The visa allows the holder to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. The holder can enter and leave the UK at any time while the visa is valid.
For more details on the related route, see the UK India Young Professionals Scheme guidelines and the India Young Professionals Scheme last date guide.