Overview
The India Young Professionals Scheme visa is a special route that allows young Indian graduates to live, work and travel in the UK for up to two years. Unlike other UK work visas, it does not require a job offer before applying. Instead, applicants must first be successful in the India Young Professionals Scheme UK ballot, which runs twice a year.
📌 Key facts at a glance
Duration: Permission is granted for 2 years; it cannot be extended.
Work rights: You can work in most jobs, be self-employed under certain conditions, and travel freely.
Job offer required? No — you do not need a job offer to apply.
Eligible applicants: Indian citizens aged 18–30 with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Savings: You must show at least £2,530 in personal funds.
Visa cost: £319 application fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year).
Processing time: Most decisions are made within 3 weeks after proving identity and submitting documents.
✅ India Young Professionals Scheme Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification.
- Have £2,530 in savings held for at least 28 days.
- Not have previously entered the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- Apply through the India Young Professionals Scheme UK ballot.
📃 Required Documents
When applying, you will usually need to provide:
Identity is normally proved at a Visa Application Centre in India, where your fingerprints, photo and signature are taken.
💰 India Young Professionals Scheme Visa Cost
- Application fee: £319
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year (£1,552 for a 2-year visa)
- Savings: £2,530 in your bank account before applying
The IHS gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.
⏱️ Processing Time
After submitting your online application, proving your identity and uploading documents, 90% of applications are processed within 3 weeks.
📎 Conditions & Restrictions
- You can work in most jobs, except as a professional sportsperson or coach.
- Self-employment is allowed with restrictions (e.g. no employees, equipment worth under £5,000).
- You cannot bring dependants (partner or children must apply separately under other visas).
- The visa does not count towards settlement (ILR), but it can help you secure sponsorship later under the Skilled Worker visa.
👨👩👧 Dependants & Settlement
This visa does not allow family members to join you.
It does not lead directly to settlement or British citizenship. However, you can use your time in the UK to gain experience and secure a sponsor for a longer-term visa that does count towards settlement.
❓ FAQs
Do I need a job offer to apply?
No — this visa is unique because you don’t need a job offer before applying.
How do I apply?
You must first enter the India Young Professionals Scheme UK ballot. If selected, you can then complete your application.
How much money do I need?
At least £2,530 in savings, plus enough to cover your visa fees and travel.
Can I bring my family?
No, dependants cannot apply under this scheme.
Does this visa lead to settlement?
No. It does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), but it can help you find an employer who may later sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa.
Have questions or want help choosing the right visa? Subscribe or explore more articles on UK visas and immigration tips.
Latest Articles
Homes for Rent in the UK [2024]
Homes for rent in the UK in 2024 can be a difficult process when you are new to the country. When you move to the UK for work, you are most likely to rent in the beginning. In 2023, net migration in to the UK was 672,000 with many newcomers moving to popular cities such […]
Immigration Salary List UK (ISL) [2024]
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) will replace the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) in the United Kingdom from the 4th of April 2024. The ISL contains 23 occupations that are most in demand in the UK for 2024, the list will be updated on an annual basis. There is some changes from the SOL including eligibility […]
Shortage Occupation List UK – Skilled Worker Visa [2026]
The Shortage Occupation List UK 2026, now officially known as the Immigration Salary List (ISL), highlights the job roles currently in demand across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This list helps employers sponsor overseas workers for roles facing national skills shortages, including scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, IT specialists, and construction trades. Although the Shortage […]
Youth Mobility Visa UK 2024 [Updated]
The Youth Mobility visa UK is a working holiday scheme that allows young people to work in the UK without job sponsorship. This visa is a popular one as it allows you to travel around the UK whilst gaining work experience for two years. You do not have to be sponsored by an employer, meet […]
How to work as a UK nurse from overseas [2024]
Registered nurses are in high demand in the United Kingdom and are currently on the Skilled Worker Occupations List. Nurses (2231 to 2237) are needed in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with the National Health Service (NHS) hiring from overseas to close the skills shortage gap. Once you are registered and can work as […]
India Young Professionals Scheme 2024
The India Young Professionals Scheme was launched in early 2023. It became the best visa option for young Indians that want to live and work in the United Kingdom. The scheme is ideal as it allows young people to live and work for two years without job sponsorship. This allows time for you to find […]
What is the Skilled Worker Visa UK?
The Skilled Worker visa is one of the most popular long-term immigration routes for international professionals looking to live and work in the United Kingdom. This visa is designed to attract skilled workers across industries such as healthcare, IT, engineering, education and construction. In article, we cover everything you need to know about the UK […]
Moving to UK – How to Immigrate to the UK
Moving to another country is a big decision but can be a huge opportunity to improve your life. The United Kingdom is a popular choice for skilled workers with over 1.2 million skilled people moving here in 2023, this is more than Canada and Australia. Most people immigrate to the UK for the British culture, […]