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UK: First Ballot for India Young Professional Scheme Open
March 9, 2023
As part of a post-Brexit trade deal between India and the United Kingdom, the India Young Professional Scheme visa will allow Indian nationals between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years. This is similar to the Youth Mobility Scheme visa with the exception that the Indian national applicants need to hold a certain level of educational attainment. Indian nationals will have 3,000 places allotted in the scheme each year. Ballots for the India Young Professionals Scheme will take place twice a year and be open for a 48-hour ballot period. The first ballot opened on 28 February 2023 and ended on 2 March 2023 (period was extended due to the volume of applications causing technical difficulties). The Home Office confirmed that there were 2,400 visas available for the February ballot, with the next expected ballot to be in late July, according to the guidance.
The ballot is free to enter however, a visa fee will apply to those selected. Applicants enter the ballot system through UKVI. Those entering need to provide their full name, date of birth, current passport details, a scan or photo of current passport, phone number and e-mail address.
Successful entries are picked at random and the result will be e-mailed within 2 weeks of the ballot closing. Those who are unsuccessful do not have the right to appeal, but they are entitled to apply again in future ballots.
If you are successful, you will be invited to apply for a visa. You will have 30 days from date of e-mail to apply online, pay the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.
If you have any compliance queries on the above or which are more nuanced please contact us directly on [email protected]. For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to the UK, please contact us here.
