India Young Professionals Scheme – three day visa application window opens 28 February 2023

The Home Office has announced the ballot process for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa will open on 28 February 2023 and will close on 2 March 2023. Successful applicants will be chosen at random with a total of 2,400 visas available. This appears to be a relatively low number given the population of India is thought to be in the region of 1.4 billion so interested applicants are urged to act swiftly to ensure their entry into the ballot.

What is the India Young Professionals Scheme?

The India Young Professionals Scheme is a reciprocal cultural exchange programme similar to the existing Youth Mobility Scheme. However, unlike the Youth Mobility Scheme, the India Young Professionals Scheme requires applicants to hold a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above, or an equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above.

How to apply?

Applicants must enter online, providing details such as their name, date of birth, contact details and a scan or photograph of their current passport. Successful applicants will receive an email within two weeks of the ballot closing and will have 30 days from receiving the email to apply for their visa and pay the application fee and immigration healthcare surcharge.

Who can apply?

Eligibility requirements include being an Indian citizen, aged between 18 and 30, have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above, have £2,530 in savings and the applicant must not have any children under the age of 18 who live with them or they are financially responsible for.

What does the scheme allow?

The India Young Professionals visa will be issued for up to two years and cannot be extended beyond this period. Successful applicants can work, study or be self-employed although some restrictions apply.

This scheme provides an excellent opportunity for young professionals with no family responsibilities to experience life in the UK. If the applicant settles into life in the UK, they will have the opportunity to switch into an alternative visa route at the end of the two year period. One example of this would be if the applicant finds suitable employment, this may lead to a switch into the skilled worker route.