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Pathway

UK India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

United Kingdom Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

The UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa is for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 who have a bachelor's-level qualification or higher and are selected in the scheme ballot. It allows up to 2 years in the UK without needing employer sponsorship first.

Citizenship and age
Indian citizen, age 18 to 30 under the application and travel rules
Selection
A qualifying degree and a successful ballot entry
Funds
£2,530 held for 28 consecutive days; family and prior-use restrictions apply

Summary

The UK’s India Young Professionals Scheme lets eligible Indian graduates live in the UK for up to two years and work in most jobs without first finding an employer sponsor. An invitation through the ballot comes before the visa application, which is due within 90 days of invitation. Age, qualification, savings, dependent-child, and prior-use rules still need to be met after selection.

The visa cannot be extended in this category; staying longer requires eligibility for another route.

Ballot selection comes before the visa application
  1. Ballot stage Enter the correct ballot Check the India scheme's citizenship, age, qualification, and other requirements.
  2. Within 90 days of invitation Apply after selection Submit the visa application, identity, and evidence within the invitation period.
  3. After visa approval Begin the planned stay Travel must begin within six months of the visa application.
  4. Before the two-year stay ends Plan any later route Qualify separately for continued work, study, or family permission.

Selection is an invitation to apply, not a visa grant. The scheme's funds, prior-use, and child-related restrictions still apply.

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Eligibility

The applicant must be an Indian citizen, be 18 when travel begins and no older than 30 when applying, and hold a UK bachelor's-level or higher qualification or overseas equivalent. They must have £2,530 for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 within 31 days of applying, and cannot have a child under 18 living with them or for whom they are financially responsible. You cannot apply if you have already spent time in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme.

A successful ballot entrant has 90 days from the invitation to apply, prove identity and provide documents. The fee is £340, the two-year IHS is £1,552 and travel must begin within six months of the visa application.

What This Route Allows

Permission lasts up to 24 months. The holder may work in most jobs, study and use limited self-employment: premises must be rented, equipment must be worth no more than £5,000 and the business can have no employees. Travel in and out is allowed.

What This Route Is Not

It cannot be extended, does not lead directly to settlement and does not allow dependents on the application. Professional-sportsperson work and public funds are barred. A ballot selection is not a visa decision and does not excuse missing documents or deadlines.

Next Steps

  1. Check the current India ballot page; do not use the Hong Kong/Taiwan YMS ballot.
  2. Obtain degree completion confirmation, bank evidence, passport and any required TB certificate.
  3. Apply within 90 days of selection and plan arrival within six months.
  4. Before the two years end, qualify independently for any longer-term work, study or family route.

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Sources