# India Young Professionals Scheme visa for Indian applicants

The India Young Professionals Scheme gives 3,000 Indian graduates aged 18 to 30 a 2-year visa to live and work in the UK. Entry is by ballot. The 2026 ballots ran 17 to 19 February and 21 to 23 July, the fee is £340 plus the health surcharge, and you must hold £2,530 in savings.

Source: https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme · Updated 2026-10-08 · Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024 · UK Visa Desk, a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, Patiala, India. WhatsApp +91 91155 80911, Mon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM IST.

## In short
> The India Young Professionals Scheme visa fee is £340 for applications from 8 April 2026, plus the health surcharge of £776 a year, £1,552 for the 24-month visa. You must be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30, hold a bachelor's degree or above, have £2,530 in savings for 28 days and no dependent children, and be selected in a free ballot that opens twice a year, in 2026 on 17 to 19 February and 21 to 23 July. Winners get 90 days to apply and the decision takes 3 weeks from biometrics. The mistake Indian applicants make most is a ballot entry whose passport number does not match the passport presented later, which voids the selection.

Our all-in filing price: ₹14,999, GST included.

## Worked example
Example: a 26-year-old Chandigarh engineer entering the July 2026 ballot

**The situation.** Simranjit Singh, 26, a fictional applicant with a B.Tech from a Mohali engineering college, works as a software tester in the Chandigarh IT Park. He registered for the ballot alert and entered on the evening of 21 July 2026, after the window opened at 1:30pm IST, typing his passport number exactly as printed. He has no children, has never held a Youth Mobility visa, and his degree was awarded in 2022. The selection email arrived on 4 August, and he had already moved his savings into an account in his own name in early July, so the 28-day hold was done. He applied on 15 September, well inside the 90-day window, with biometrics at VFS Chandigarh.

| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Ballot entry | Free, one entry per person, window from 1:30pm IST on 21 July to 9am IST on 23 July 2026 |
| Places for Indian citizens | 3,000 a year across the two ballots |
| Visa fee, Home Office table of 8 April 2026 | £340, about ₹44,992 at the Home Office rate of ₹132.33 per pound |
| Health surcharge at the Youth Mobility rate for 24 months: 2 x £776 | £1,552, about ₹2,05,376 |
| Savings required, held 28 consecutive days | £2,530, about ₹3,34,795; he kept ₹3,75,000 as a margin against the rupee moving |
| Age test | 26 on the application date; the limit is 30 on the date the application is submitted |
| Deadline to apply after the 4 August selection email | 90 days, so 2 November 2026 |
| Standard decision time from biometrics | 3 weeks; priority of 5 working days costs £500, about ₹66,165 |
| Visa length | 24 months, cannot be extended, no dependants |
| Total paid to the Home Office | £1,892, about ₹2,50,368 |

**Outcome.** The visa was granted in 3 weeks and Simranjit chose a start date in November 2026, inside the 6 months allowed after the application. Had he mistyped one digit of his passport number at the ballot stage, the selection would not have matched his application and the entry would have been void, with no second chance until 2027. Had the savings been in his father's account rather than his own or a joint one, the £2,530 would not have counted. Had he waited until December, the 90 days would have passed and the invitation would have lapsed.

## What the officer checks
What the entry clearance officer checks on an India Young Professionals file

| What they check | Why it matters | Evidence that answers it |
|---|---|---|
| That you were selected in the ballot and the application matches the entry. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, India Young Professionals ballot requirement. The selection is tied to the name, date of birth and passport number entered in the ballot. | The invitation email with its unique reference, and the same passport you entered the ballot with. |
| That you are aged 18 to 30 on the date the application is submitted. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, age requirement. The date of the ballot does not matter; the date you submit the visa form does. | Your Indian passport; the officer reads the date of birth from it, not from the form. |
| That you hold a bachelor's degree or above, awarded before you apply. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, eligible qualification requirement for Indian citizens. A degree still in progress or awaiting results does not count. | Degree certificate and marksheets, with an ECCTIS statement of comparability if the qualification is not on the Home Office list. |
| That £2,530 was held for 28 consecutive days on a statement no more than 31 days old. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme financial requirement, read with Appendix Finance. The money must be yours, in your name or a joint name, not a parent's. | A savings account statement or a fixed deposit receipt with a bank letter, showing the rupee equivalent of £2,530 on every day of the 28. |
| That you have no children under 18 who live with you or whom you support. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, no-children requirement. The route is for single young workers with no dependants. | Your declaration on the form; the officer may compare it with any earlier UK application. |
| That you have never held a Youth Mobility Scheme or India Young Professionals visa before. | Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme, previous permission requirement. The grant is once in a lifetime. | Your immigration history; declare any previous UK visa on the form. |
| That you hold a tuberculosis certificate. | Appendix Tuberculosis, because the stay is over 6 months. | A certificate from an approved clinic dated within 6 months of the application. |
| That nothing in your history triggers a suitability refusal. | Part 9 of the Immigration Rules. The officer may ask for a police clearance certificate and will check earlier refusals. | A police clearance certificate from the Passport Seva Kendra where asked, and every previous refusal declared with the letter attached. |

## Mistakes we see
| The mistake | What it costs | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| A wrong digit in the passport number, or the name spelt differently from the passport, on the ballot entry. | The selection cannot be matched to the application and is void, with no replacement until the next ballot. | Copy the passport number and name exactly from the passport data page and check them twice before you submit the ballot form. |
| Two entries in the same ballot, for example one from a phone and one from a laptop to be safe. | Duplicate entries are removed, which can remove both. | One entry per person per ballot; wait for the confirmation screen and keep a screenshot. |
| The £2,530 sat in a parent's account, or arrived as one lump sum a week before the statement. | Funds in a parent's account do not count, and a short hold fails the 28-day rule. | Keep the money in your own or a joint account for the full 28 days before the statement date, with the statement dated within 31 days of applying. |
| Holding exactly ₹3,34,795 so that a small rupee move took the balance under £2,530 on one day. | Refusal on the financial requirement because the sterling value fell short on a day inside the 28. | Hold a margin of at least 10 percent above the sterling figure for the whole period. |
| Missing the 90-day window while waiting for the TB appointment or a degree certificate. | The invitation lapses and the place goes to someone else. | Book the TB test and gather the degree papers before the ballot opens, so the application can go in within weeks of the email. |
| Turning 31 inside the 90-day window and applying after the birthday. | Refusal on age, since the test is the date the application is submitted. | If your birthday falls inside the window, submit and pay before it, even if biometrics come later. |
| Entering with final results pending, then applying before the degree was formally awarded. | Refusal on the qualification requirement. | Obtain the provisional or final degree certificate before you submit the visa form, and get an ECCTIS statement if the award is unusual. |
| Applying while financially responsible for a child, on the assumption the child stays in India. | Refusal under the no-children requirement, and a false declaration risks a Part 9 finding. | This route is not open to parents of children under 18; look at other routes instead. |

## Timeline
1. **Register for the alert and prepare** (January 2027): The 2027 ballot dates are not yet published and gov.uk says they will appear on the ballot page; the first window is expected in February if the pattern holds. Get the passport, degree papers and savings in order now.
2. **Ballot window** (About 48 hours, expected February 2027 and again in July): Enter once with your name, date of birth, passport details, phone and email, exactly as on the passport. Entry is free and there is no advantage to entering early or late.
3. **Selection email** (Within about 2 weeks of the window closing): Selected entrants receive an email with a unique reference; it is not a visa. Everyone else can enter the next ballot.
4. **28-day savings hold** (Start before the ballot, or the day the email arrives): Hold at least £2,530 in rupees with a margin in your own account for 28 consecutive days. The statement must be no more than 31 days old when you apply.
5. **Tuberculosis test and degree evidence** (First two weeks after selection): Attend an approved clinic and gather the degree certificate and marksheets, plus an ECCTIS statement if the Home Office asks for comparability. A police clearance certificate from the Passport Seva Kendra may also be requested.
6. **Online application, fee and surcharge** (Within 90 days of the selection email): Pay the £340 fee and the surcharge of £1,552 for 24 months, and choose a visa start date within 6 months of the application. If you turn 31 inside the window, apply before the birthday.
7. **Biometrics at VFS** (Within days of submitting): Attend VFS Chandigarh, Jalandhar or your nearest centre with the passport and appointment letter. The 3-week clock starts here.
8. **Decision** (3 weeks from biometrics): Priority at £500 aims for 5 working days when available. The passport returns with a vignette for entry.
9. **Travel and eVisa** (On or after your chosen start date): Fly inside the vignette dates, set up your UKVI account for the eVisa, and you may work for any employer or yourself from day one. The 24 months cannot be extended and do not count towards settlement.

## How Indian applicants fare
This is the only UK visa for which Indian citizens have a reserved quota. Two ballots a year, free to enter, one entry per person per ballot. Winners get 90 days to submit the full application and pay the fee. Gov.uk says there is no third 2026 ballot and the 2027 dates are not yet published. Join our WhatsApp alert and we tell you when gov.uk opens the next window, because each window lasts only about 48 hours.

- India Young Professionals Scheme places: 3,000 (2026)

Home Office figures verified 2026-10-08.

## Eligibility
- Indian citizen aged 18 to 30 on the date the application is submitted
- A bachelor's degree or above, from any country, completed before you apply
- £2,530 in savings held for 28 consecutive days before the application
- No children under 18 who live with you or whom you support financially
- Not previously held an India Young Professionals Scheme or Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- English at CEFR B1, by a Secure English Language Test or a degree taught in English
- Selected in the ballot, then apply within 90 days of the invitation email
- No dependants on this visa

## Documents
- Indian passport
- Degree certificate and marksheets, with an ECCTIS statement if the Home Office asks for comparability
- Bank statement showing £2,530 or the rupee equivalent for 28 days, no more than 31 days old
- English test report at B1 or above, or ECCTIS confirmation that the degree was taught in English
- Tuberculosis test certificate from an approved clinic
- Police clearance certificate from the Passport Seva Kendra, where asked
- The ballot selection email with your unique reference
- Biometrics appointment at a VFS centre within the 90-day window

## Cost from India
| Charge | GBP | INR |
|---|---|---|
| India Young Professionals Scheme visa (after ballot selection) application fee | £340 | ₹44,992 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, 2 years at £776 a year | £1,552 | ₹2,05,376 |
| Priority service (optional) (optional) | £500 | ₹66,165 |
| Super priority service (optional) (optional) | £1,000 | ₹1,32,330 |
| VFS user-pay centre appointment (optional) (optional) | £76.50 | ₹10,123 |
| UK Visa Desk all-in filing price, GST included |  | ₹14,999 |
| Required Home Office charges plus our filing price | £1,892 | ₹2,65,367 |

Fees effective 8 April 2026, verified 2026-10-08; converted at 132.33 INR per GBP (2026-10-08). Pass-through charges paid on gov.uk.

## Processing time
Standard 3 weeks; priority 5 working days; super priority 1 working day(s). UKVI figures as of 2026-09-09, verified 2026-10-08. Apply within 90 days of the ballot invitation email; the visa start date is chosen within 6 months of the application.

## Refusal reasons
- Applied outside the 90-day window after the ballot result
- Savings not held for the full 28 days, or held in a parent's account without a joint name
- Age over 30 on the date of application rather than the date of the ballot
- Degree not completed or awarded by the application date
- A dependent child disclosed or found
- English not evidenced where the degree was not taught in English

## Refusal paragraphs decoded (verified 2026-10-08)
### Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme: ballot and validity (India): No valid ballot invitation, or application outside the 90-day window
You applied without being selected, used someone else's invitation, or applied after the 90-day deadline in the email. The fee is lost and the application is treated as invalid.
What to fix: enter the next ballot with the same passport details you will apply with; calendar the 90-day deadline the day the email arrives

### Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme: eligibility (age, qualification, funds, children, previous grant): Young Professionals eligibility not met
One of the five conditions failed: you turned 31 before applying, the degree could not be verified as bachelor's level, the £2,530 was not held for 28 days, you have a child, or you held the visa before.
What to fix: Ecctis statement of comparability for the degree if the university is not well known; hold about Rs 2.9 lakh (at 132.33) plus buffer for 28 days and download the statement within 31 days; apply before your 31st birthday

### 9.2.1: Exclusion or deportation order in force
A mandatory refusal: you were deported from the UK or formally excluded, and that order is still in force. No visa can be granted until the order is revoked.
What to fix: apply for revocation of the deportation order (normally after 10 years, earlier only in exceptional cases) with a UK regulated adviser; do not submit new visa applications while the order stands; each refusal adds to the record

### 9.3.1: Presence not conducive to the public good
The officer considers your behaviour, character or associations make you unsuitable, for example extremism, serious dishonesty not covered by other paragraphs, or a pattern of conduct abroad. Used rarely but it is mandatory.
What to fix: obtain the full reasons (ask for the decision notice and consider a Subject Access Request); character evidence and clearance certificates; this ground usually needs legal representation

## FAQ
**When is the next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot?**
The 2026 ballots were 17 to 19 February and 21 to 23 July. Gov.uk states there will be no further ballot in 2026. The 2027 dates have not been announced as of October 2026. Sign up for our alert and we message you when the page changes.

**Is the ballot free?**
Yes. You pay nothing to enter. The £340 visa fee and the health surcharge are only paid after you are selected and submit the full application.

**How much is the health surcharge for 2 years?**
The Youth Mobility rate is £776 a year, so £1,552 for the 24-month visa. The fee calculator gives the rupee total with the £340 fee.

**Can I take my husband or wife?**
No. The visa has no dependants. A partner must qualify on their own, for example by winning the ballot themselves.

**Can I work in any job?**
Yes, for any employer, and you can be self-employed with limits on premises and staff. You can also study. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson.

**Does this visa lead to settlement?**
No. The 2 years do not count towards settlement and the visa cannot be extended. Many people switch to a sponsored work route from inside the UK, which we do not handle.

**Can I enter twice to improve my chances?**
No. One entry per person per ballot. Duplicate entries are removed. You can enter again in the next ballot if you were not selected.

**I am 30 now and turn 31 next month. Can I still apply?**
You must be 30 or under on the date you submit the visa application, not just the ballot entry. If your birthday falls inside the 90-day window, submit before it.

**What savings proof do Indian banks give?**
A savings account statement or a fixed deposit with a bank letter. Keep the balance above £2,530 at the exchange rate of the day for all 28 days with some margin, since the rupee moves.

## In depth
- [Fees in rupees](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/fees.md)
- [Documents](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/documents.md)
- [Eligibility](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/eligibility.md)
- [Refusal reasons](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/refusal-reasons.md)
- [Processing time](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/processing-time.md)
- [Cost from India](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/cost-from-india.md)
- [FAQ](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/faq.md)
- [Worked example](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/worked-example.md)
- [Mistakes](https://ukvisadesk.com/visas/india-young-professionals-scheme/mistakes.md)

---
UK Visa Desk is a brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Private Limited, a visa consultancy licensed by the Government of Punjab, India. We are a private company, not affiliated with the UK Government, and we are not regulated by the UK Immigration Advice Authority. We serve applicants who are in India; applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated UK adviser. We do not handle work visas. Information here is general, not legal advice, and no visa outcome is guaranteed.
We do not handle UK work visas. Applicants already in the UK are referred to a regulated adviser.