India Young Professionals Scheme Visa
3,000 places a year for Indian graduates, allocated by ballot. Get reminded before each window opens.
- Age range
- 18–30
- Annual places
- 3,000 (2026)
- Ballot required
- Yes
- Max stay
- 2 years
- Application fee
- £340
- Savings needed
- £2,530
Ballot windows are short, often just 48 hours. Get a free email before the next India ballot opens.
India's version of the Youth Mobility Scheme is called the Young Professionals Scheme. It offers 3,000 places a year to Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 who want to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
Unlike most Youth Mobility countries, the India scheme requires a bachelor's degree or higher, and places are allocated by a random ballot held twice a year. You enter for free during a short window, usually just 48 hours, so timing matters. Set a ballot reminder below so you don't miss it.
Ballot schedule
- 2026 · Round 2Upcoming21 Jul 2026 – 23 Jul 2026
Opens 21 Jul 2026, 09:00 UK time, closes 23 Jul 2026, 09:00 UK time.
Official gov.uk ballot page → - 2026 · Round 1Closed16 Feb 2026 – 18 Feb 2026
Opens 16 Feb 2026, 18:31 UK time, closes 18 Feb 2026, 18:31 UK time.
- 2025 · Round 2Closed22 Jul 2025 – 24 Jul 2025
Opens 22 Jul 2025, 09:00 UK time, closes 24 Jul 2025, 09:00 UK time.
- 2025 · Round 1Closed17 Feb 2025 – 19 Feb 2025
Opens 17 Feb 2025, 18:31 UK time, closes 19 Feb 2025, 18:31 UK time.
India Youth Mobility visas issued
2,448 India nationals were granted a Youth Mobility Scheme visa in 2025. That's up 8% on 2024, the highest annual total since 2021. Grants fell to a low of 1 in 2021 during the pandemic.
Source: Home Office Immigration Statistics (Vis_D02), year ending March 2026.
After the Youth Mobility Scheme: staying in the UK
Your Youth Mobility visa lasts up to two years. To stay longer, find a licensed sponsor and switch to a Skilled Worker visa before it ends.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot? The scheme runs two ballots a year, typically in February and around July. Each window is open for about 48 hours. Exact dates are announced on gov.uk a few weeks ahead. Subscribe to a free ballot reminder on this page and we'll email you when the next one is confirmed.
What are the requirements for the India Young Professionals Scheme? You must be an Indian national aged 18 to 30, hold a bachelor's degree or higher, have at least £2,530 in savings, and not have children who live with you or depend on you financially. You also need to be selected in the ballot before you can apply.
How much money do I need for a UK Youth Mobility visa? You must show at least £2,530 in your bank account, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply. The application fee is £340, plus the healthcare surcharge of about £776 per year of your visa.
Can I switch to a Skilled Worker visa from the Youth Mobility Scheme? Yes. While on a Youth Mobility visa you can work for any employer, and if you find a licensed sponsor you can apply to switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, a common route to staying long-term. Browse sponsor-backed jobs on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors to line one up before your visa ends.
Can I apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme more than once? No. You cannot apply if you have already held a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa before. It is a once-in-a-lifetime route for most nationalities.