India Young Professionals Scheme visa (ballot) - no further ballots in 2026
Official name: India Young Professionals Scheme visa
Lets Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree or higher live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. You must first be selected in a free ballot. In 2026 there were 3,000 places, released in a February ballot and a July ballot (21 to 23 Jul 2026); the Home Office says there will be no further ballots in 2026. Selected people have 90 days to apply. The visa fee is £340, the healthcare surcharge £1,552, and you need £2,530 in savings. The visa cannot be extended and does not lead to settlement.
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for United Kingdom
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
AfghanistanSource: GOV.UK - Visa brake: changes to the UK visa systemSource: UK Parliament - Written ministerial statement HCWS1379, 5 March 2026Source: GOV.UK - Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules HC 1691, 5 March 2026
Life in United Kingdom
Finance
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20% · social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a degree-level qualification, no dependent children, who want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
Eligibility
Selected in the ballot
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must enter and be selected in the ballot before applying; winners are picked at random and emailed within 2 weeks of close.
2026 ballot details
- Places in 2026mostly February ballot
- 3,000
- Entry cost
- Free
- July ballot opened 1:30pm India Standard Time on 21 Jul 2026
- July ballot closed 9am on 23 Jul 2026
- GOV.UK says no further ballots in 2026
Official wording
You must enter and be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before applying. Entry is free and winners are picked at random and emailed within 2 weeks of the ballot closing. In 2026, 3,000 places were available, mostly in the February ballot and the rest in the July ballot (opened 1:30pm India Standard Time on 21 Jul 2026, closed 9am on 23 Jul 2026). GOV.UK says there will be no further ballots in 2026.
Indian citizen aged 18 to 30
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need to be an Indian national or citizen aged 18 to 30, and at least 18 on your UK travel date.
Age range
- Minimum age
- 18
- Maximum age
- 30
Official wording
You must be an Indian national or citizen aged 18 to 30, and at least 18 on the date you plan to travel to the UK.
Degree-level qualification
Sign in to check this route against your profileShow a bachelor's degree or above, or an equivalent overseas qualification, with written confirmation from your university.
6, 7 or 8
Accepted levels (UK RQF)
- University must confirm in writing that you completed your studies
- University must confirm that you graduated
Official wording
A bachelor's degree or above (UK RQF level 6, 7 or 8) or an equivalent overseas qualification; the university must confirm in writing that you completed your studies and graduated.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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