48 Hours only: Don’t miss the India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot opening on 22 July 2025

The UK Home Office has announced that the second and final ballot for the 2025 India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) will open at 1:30 PM IST on 22 July 2025 and close at 1:30 PM IST on 24 July 2025. This scheme offers a unique opportunity for eligible Indian nationals to live, work and study in the UK for up to two years without the need for a job offer or sponsorship.

To enter the ballot, you must:

• Be an Indian citizen aged between 18 and 30 years
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification
• Have at least £2,530 in personal savings
• Not have children under 18 who live with you or are financially dependent on you
• Not have previously held a UK-India Young Professionals visa or Youth Mobility Scheme visa
• Apply from outside the UK

How do I enter the ballot?

You will need to visit the official UK Government website during the ballot window and provide your personal information.

Each person is allowed to submit only one entry per ballot. Multiple submissions will be disregarded and will not be considered.

Visa application details

If selected in the ballot, you will have 90 days to:

• Apply online for the visa
• Pay the visa application fee (£319)
• Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,552)
• Book and attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and photo

What you can do on this visa

• Work in most jobs
• Be self-employed and establish your own business, provided that you operate from rented premises, the total value of your business equipment does not exceed £5,000 and you do not employ any staff
• You are permitted to study; however, certain courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

What you cannot do on this visa

• Access public funds
• Extend the visa beyond two years
• Bring dependants or family members
• Work as a professional sportsperson (for example, as a coach)

The India Young Professionals Scheme offers a valuable opportunity for young Indian professionals to gain international experience in the UK. With only 3,000 visas available and the ballot open for just 48 hours, it’s crucial to prepare all the necessary documents and information in advance. Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria and have your application ready to submit as soon as the ballot opens.

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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