UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has announced that the next ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time (IST) on February 17, 2026 and will close at 2:30pm IST on February 19, 2026.
Anyone intending to apply for a visa for the India Young Professionals Scheme must enter the ballot and can do so at any time while the ballot is open.
- The ballot is open to Indian citizens who are eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
- Successful entries will be picked at random. Results will be sent by email within two weeks of the ballot closing.
- Entry to the ballot is free but the visa application costs GBP 319 and there are financial, educational and other requirements.
- There are 3000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2026. Most places will be made available in the February ballot. The remaining places will be made available in the second and final ballot later in the year.
- Applicants can only submit one entry per person for each ballot. Any further attempts to enter will not be counted.
- Successful entrants in the ballot will be invited to apply for a visa.
- Visa applicants will have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the visa application fee, including the immigration health surcharge and provide biometrics.
- Successful entrants in the ballot who choose not to apply for the visa do not need to inform UKVI.
- The results of the ballot are final. With no right to appeal. Unsuccessful entrants can enter future ballots.
An India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live and work in the UK for up to two years. To be eligible for the visa, applicants must:
- be an Indian citizen;
- be between 18 and 30 years old;
- have an eligible qualification;
- have GBP 2530 in savings;
- not have any children under the age of 18 who live with them or who they’re financially responsible for.
Visa holders can:
- study – for some courses they’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate;
- work in most jobs;
- be self-employed and set up a company – as long as the premises are rented, the equipment is not worth more than GBP 5000 and there are no employees.
Visa holders cannot:
- extend their stay;
- apply for most benefits (public funds);
- include family members on their application – they must apply separately;
- work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach).
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.