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India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

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At a Glance

Processing Time

2–3 weeks

Estimated Cost

£1,892 GBP

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

For Indian nationals aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

The India Young Professionals Scheme is a UK visa for Indian nationals aged 18–30 holding a bachelor's degree or above. It grants up to two years to live and work without a job offer or sponsor. Entry is via a free random ballot capped at 3,000 places per year.

The grant is a fixed 24 months — no extension, no settlement route, no dependent children. Applicants need £2,530 in savings held for 28 days. Costs are £340 (application fee) plus £1,552 Immigration Health Surcharge. Most work is permitted, including limited self-employment.

This visa is ideal for degree-qualified Indian nationals under 30 who want flexible UK work experience without a sponsor, and can accept a one-time two-year stay with no path to settlement.

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Cost Breakdown

Application fee£340 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge (2 years)£1,552 GBP

Total£1,892 GBP

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Annual Cap & Quota

3,000 places per year (distributed across two ballots)

Eligible Nationalities (1)

India

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Indian national aged 18–30 at time of travel

Must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot (free entry, random selection)

Bachelor's degree or above (RQF Level 6/7/8 or equivalent)

Minimum £2,530 in savings held for 28 consecutive days (day 28 within 31 days of application)

No children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you

Never previously held a UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa or Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Must apply within 90 days of ballot invitation email

Must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying for your visa

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Savings

2,530 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Bank statements showing £2,530+ held for 28 consecutive days

Written confirmation of degree-level qualification (bachelor's or above) from awarding institution

TB (tuberculosis) test results

Police clearance certificate from India

Certified translations of non-English/Welsh documents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No job offer or sponsor required
Can work in most jobs, including self-employment (limited)
No English language test required
Ballot entry is free
Reciprocal scheme — part of UK-India Mobility and Migration Partnership

Worth Knowing

Must win a ballot to apply — places are limited to 3,000 per year
Cannot extend beyond 24 months and no pathway to permanent residence
Degree-level qualification required (unlike Youth Mobility Scheme)
Cannot have dependent children
Cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach
Self-employment limited: no rented premises, equipment under £5,000 cap, no employees

Application Process

Enter the free 48-hour ballot window when open (provide passport details and photo)

Await ballot results by email (within ~2 weeks of ballot closing)

Apply online within 90 days of receiving your invitation email

Create or log in to your UKVI account and complete the online application

Pay the application fee (£340) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,552)

Prove your identity via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre (biometrics)

Submit supporting documents

Await decision (typically within 3 weeks)

Verified Claims (21)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Enter the free 48-hour ballot window when open (provide passport details and photo); Await ballot re…

gov.uk

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 340 GBP; Immigration Health Surcharge (2 years): 1552 GBP

gov.uk

Fees

£340 application fee + £1,552 Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year × 2 years)

gov.uk

Forms

—

gov.uk

Included Nationalities

gov.uk

Job Offer Required

false

gov.uk

Application Portal

https://www.gov.uk/india-young-professionals-scheme-visa/apply

gov.uk

Official Info

https://www.gov.uk/india-young-professionals-scheme-visa

gov.uk

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,200

Quality of Life

176/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

For Indian nationals aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Indian national aged 18–30 at time of travel

Must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot (free entry, random selection)

Bachelor's degree or above (RQF Level 6/7/8 or equivalent)

Minimum £2,530 in savings held for 28 consecutive days (day 28 within 31 days of application)

No children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you

Never previously held a UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa or Youth Mobility Scheme visa

Must apply within 90 days of ballot invitation email

Must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying for your visa

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Savings

2,530 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Bank statements showing £2,530+ held for 28 consecutive days

Written confirmation of degree-level qualification (bachelor's or above) from awarding institution

TB (tuberculosis) test results

Police clearance certificate from India

Certified translations of non-English/Welsh documents

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No job offer or sponsor required
Can work in most jobs, including self-employment (limited)
No English language test required
Ballot entry is free
Reciprocal scheme — part of UK-India Mobility and Migration Partnership

Worth Knowing

Must win a ballot to apply — places are limited to 3,000 per year
Cannot extend beyond 24 months and no pathway to permanent residence
Degree-level qualification required (unlike Youth Mobility Scheme)
Cannot have dependent children
Cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach
Self-employment limited: no rented premises, equipment under £5,000 cap, no employees

Application Process