Everything you need to Know about the India Young Professionals Visa

The India Young Professionals Visa provides Indian citizens with a route into the UK and into work.

The scheme was rolled out in January 2023 and it allows Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 years to live and work in the UK for up to two years without a sponsorship letter or job offer.

The government is offering 2,400 visas.

It works on a ballot system and among the pool of applicants, 2,400 people will be randomly selected.

However, being selected in the ballot does not grant citizens an India Young Professionals Visa.

Ballot selectees have to apply for the visa once they receive an email confirming an invitation to apply.

These visas will allow travellers to study under selected courses, work in most jobs and set up a company under regulated terms and conditions. Here’s how it works:

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants need to either be an Indian national or Indian citizen aged between 18 and 30 years.

They must also have a qualification at a bachelor’s level or above.

When it comes to finances, applicants must have at least £2,530 (Rs. 253,000) in savings.

How to Apply?

Those who match the eligibility criteria for the India Young Professionals visa scheme should enter the ballot scheme.

After providing your name, the ballot requires details such as phone number, passport details, etc.

If selected, you will receive an invitation to further apply for a visa via email.

If selected again, prepare your documents and apply for your visa. Documents include bank statements, tuberculosis test results, police clearance, etc.

When can you Apply?

You can enter the ballot between February 28 at 2:30 pm and March 2 at 2:29 pm.

Selected candidates will receive an email invite within two weeks of the ballot’s closing.

If you are selected, you have to apply for the visa within the deadline mentioned in the email. This is usually within 30 days of the invitation.

The news about your visa’s approval shall arrive within three weeks of applying.

If you successfully obtain an India Young Professionals Visa, you can stay in the UK for up to two years. During this period, you can enter and exit the country at your discretion.

But you must travel to the UK within six months of applying for your visa.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

How much does it Cost?

Entering the ballot is free but once selected, you need to:

• Pay the application fee of £259 (Rs. 25,958)
• Pay a healthcare surcharge of £940 (Rs. 94,213)
• Prove that you have £2,530 (Rs. 253,557) in personal savings

What you Can & Cannot Do

You can:

• Study – for some courses, you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
  work in most jobs.
• Be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees.

You cannot:

• Extend your stay.
• Apply for most benefits (public funds).
• Include family members on your application – they must apply separately.
• Work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach).

The India Young Professionals visa scheme ballot opens on February 28, 2023.