For many young Indians, the idea of living and working in the UK is more than just a dream — it's a step towards global exposure and a better career. The Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), a special agreement between India and the UK, offers that very chance.

Under this scheme, Indian citizens aged between 18 and 30 can live, work, study, or travel in the UK for up to two years. Whether you're fresh out of university or already a few years into your job, YPS could be your opportunity to build international experience.

It’s a cultural and professional exchange programme that allows 3,000 young Indians every year to spend up to 24 months in the UK. You don’t need a job offer or university admission beforehand — just the right qualifications and enough savings to support yourself.

How to apply: It starts with a ballot

To be considered, you must first enter a ballot — a type of lottery system. Here's how:

Indian nationals aged 18–30 must submit an entry via gov.uk to be considered for one of the 3,000 available places.

  • No fee is required to enter.
  • Successful applicants are selected at random.

You will need to provide:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Passport details
  • Scan or photo of your passport
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Eligibility criteria

You must:

  • Be an Indian citizen, aged 18 to 30
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (equivalent to UK Regulated Qualifications Framework levels 6, 7 or 8)
  • Have at least £2,530 in savings (approx. ₹2.75 lakh)

You are not eligible if you:

  • Have dependent children under 18 who live with you or whom you support financially
  • Have previously lived in the UK under the YPS scheme

After entering the ballot

  • Winners are selected randomly
  • Notification is sent within two weeks after the ballot closes

If you’re selected

  • You will receive an invitation to apply for a visa. You’ll have 90 days to:
  • Complete the online visa application
  • Pay the visa fee and the immigration health surcharge
  • Submit your biometrics

What you can do on a YPS visa

  • Study (some courses may require an ATAS certificate)
  • Enter and exit the UK multiple times during the two-year visa validity
  • Work in most sectors
  • Start your own business (conditions apply: no employees, rented premises, equipment valued under £5,000)

What you cannot do

  • Extend your stay beyond the two years
  • Apply for most UK public benefits
  • Include family members in your application (each person must apply separately)
  • Work as a professional sportsperson or coach

If you give birth in the UK

  • The child does not automatically become a British citizen
  • If you plan to travel in and out of the UK with your child, apply online for their dependent visa
  • A full UK birth certificate (with both parents’ names) will be required

Warning

Do not pay agents claiming to secure visas. The selection is random and handled only via official UK government channels.

Next ballot dates

The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot will open at 1:30pm IST on 22 July 2025 and close at 1:30pm IST on 24 July 2025.