The UK Home Office has released the new UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa details.
2023-02-27
The UK Home Office has released the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa details. The new scheme is bespoke and reciprocal, similar to the existing Youth Mobility Scheme. However, unlike the Youth Mobility Scheme, which requires no qualification, the India Young Professionals Scheme requires applicants to qualify for a bachelor’s degree or above or an equivalent foreign qualification at degree level or above.
Indian nationals and citizens aged between 18 and 30 who have an eligible qualification, savings to support themselves, and do not have any children who live with them or for whom they are financially responsible can be granted a visa through this scheme.
Successful applicants can live and work in the UK for up to two years. They can also enter and exit the country at will while their Young Professionals Visa is valid.
UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa ballot Opens On 28 February
The first ballot for the 2023 India Young Professionals Scheme is set to open on 28 February and close on 2 March with 2,400 visas available.
Successful entries will be picked randomly, and results will be sent within two weeks of the ballot closing. Successful applicants will have 30 days from the email date to apply online and pay the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.
Below, we outline the eligibility criteria, application process and permitted activities under the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must first submit their details to the India Young Professional Scheme ballot and will only be invited to apply for the visa if their name is selected. Names will be chosen randomly, and the ballot is free to enter.
The first ballot of the year officially opens on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, at 8.30 am GMT and closes on Thursday, 2 March 2023, at 8.30 am GMT.
Those individuals considering applying to the ballot should be aware of the following eligibility criteria:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen;
- Aged between 18 and 30; and
- Qualifies equal to or above a bachelor’s degree (RQF Level 6).
Individuals must provide a local police certificate or a police clearance certificate issued no more than six months before the date of application. They must also demonstrate they have at least £2,530 in a bank account to support themselves in the UK.
UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa – The Ballot Stage
You can enter the ballot if you are an Indian citizen and meet the above eligibility requirements for the India Young Professionals Scheme. If you’re successful in the ballot, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
The link to enter the free online ballot will appear HERE once it is live. You can enter the ballot at any time whilst it is open. You will need to provide your:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Passport details
- A scan or photo of your passport
- Phone number
- Email address
Those who are unsuccessful in this ballot can enter future ballots if they meet the requirements of the visa scheme.
What Is Needed For The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa Ballot?
First and foremost, you must ensure you are eligible for the scheme. You must be a citizen of India and meet the other eligibility requirements listed HERE.
To participate in the ballot, please visit the Home Office webpage, where a link to the ballot will appear during the stated period: 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 28 February 2023 and close at 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 2 March.
It’s free to enter the ballot.
If you’re successful in the ballot but choose not to apply for the visa, you do not need to notify the Home Office.
UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa Application Process
An applicant selected through the ballot will be invited to submit their visa application within 30 days of receiving their selection notification.
The applicant must pay an application fee (currently £259) and an Immigration Health Surcharge fee (currently £954).
At the application stage, you will be required to demonstrate your ability to meet the following educational and financial requirements of the visa scheme:
- Hold a UK bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent. The college or university must provide written confirmation that the applicant has completed their studies and graduated with the required qualifications.
- Provide evidence that they have savings of at least £2,530, which must have been held on account for 28 days before the date of the application.
- Submit a police report or clearance certificate from India.
- Schedule an appointment at the visa application centre closest to their home. Their photograph will be taken at this appointment, and fingerprints will be recorded to produce their biometric residence permits.
- Individuals who live in India or those who have been in India for more than six months directly preceding the date of the application will be required to submit a certificate confirming they are free of infectious tuberculosis. The applicant should arrange to be tested ahead of their visa appointment.
The applicant can typically expect a decision on their visa within three weeks of attending the visa appointment unless they opt to purchase one of the priority services for a faster decision.
If your visa application is successful, you’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. You can enter the UK anytime while your visa is valid and leave and return anytime during your stay.
How Long You Can Stay On The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa
Those granted visas under this scheme can work, study and live in the UK for up to two years.
Whilst in the UK on an India Young Professionals Scheme visa, you can:
- Study
- Work in most jobs
- Be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000, and you do not have any employees
You cannot:
- Extend your stay
- Apply for most benefits (public funds)
- Include family members on your application – they must apply separately
- Work as a professional sportsperson (for example, as a coach)
Two years is the maximum validity period for this type of visa, and cannot be extended. However, for those wishing to stay in the UK longer, this may be possible by qualifying for a different visa category later.
For example, if a successful applicant finds sponsored employment before the expiry of their two-year permission, they could be eligible to apply for a different, longer-term form of immigration permission, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Keep up to date with the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme Visa
If you require assistance or further information on the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, including eligibility, requirements and how to apply, please do not hesitate to contact us at hello@centuroglobal.com
