Migration Overseas
A UK visa of up to 2 years for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a degree-level qualification. You first have to be selected in a free ballot, then apply within 90 days. There were 3,000 places in 2026, and 2027 dates have not been announced.
You declare that you meet these requirements when you enter the ballot.
You must be 30 or under on the date you apply and 18 on the date entry clearance becomes valid. If you turn 31 after the visa is issued, you can stay for as long as it is valid.
You must hold Indian citizenship. You apply through the Youth Mobility Scheme form and choose India as your nationality.
A bachelor's degree or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8), or an equivalent overseas qualification. You need written confirmation from your college or university that you completed your studies and graduated.
Held in your bank account for 28 days in a row, with day 28 falling within 31 days of the date you apply. This is evidence of funds, not a fee.
You cannot have a child under 18 who lives with you or depends on you financially. Family members cannot be included on your application.
You cannot apply if you have previously been in the UK on this scheme or on the Youth Mobility Scheme.
You cannot apply for the visa directly. You first have to be selected.
Entry costs nothing and you can make one entry per person per ballot. You give your name, date of birth, passport details, a passport scan or photo, phone number and email.
Entries are picked at random. Results are emailed within 2 weeks of the ballot closing. gov.uk does not publish entry numbers, so there is no official figure for odds.
Results are final and cannot be appealed. You can enter future ballots if you are still eligible.
If selected, you have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the fee and surcharge, and give biometrics or complete the ID check. You need the unique application number.
You declare eligibility when you enter. gov.uk asks you to enter only if you plan to apply and meet every requirement.
If you are selected but decide not to apply, you do not have to tell the UK government.
Ballots have run twice a year. gov.uk posted each set of dates about a week before the ballot opened.
20 to 22 February and 16 to 18 July.
18 to 20 February and 22 to 24 July.
17 to 19 February and 21 to 23 July. Most places were released in February and the rest in July. gov.uk said there would be no further ballots in 2026.
As of 6 November 2026, gov.uk has not published 2027 dates or a place count. It says details of future ballots will be published on the ballot page.
What happens once the ballot opens.
Use the gov.uk ballot page while a ballot is open. One entry per person.
It arrives within 2 weeks of the ballot closing. The 90-day window starts on the date of the email.
Use the Youth Mobility Scheme application and choose India as your nationality. Pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge.
Scan your passport in the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre.
Passport, bank evidence, degree confirmation, a police certificate issued within 6 months before you apply, a tuberculosis test result if you live in India, and certified translations if needed.
A decision usually takes 3 weeks. You must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.
Paid to the UK government if you are selected and decide to apply.
Free to enter. One entry per person per ballot.
Not refunded if the application is rejected.
The Immigration Health Surcharge listed by gov.uk for this visa.
Held for 28 days. Together the fee and surcharge come to GBP 1,892, which is separate from your savings.
Up to 24 months in the UK with wide freedom to work and study.
Live in the UK for up to 2 years.
Employers must pay at least the National Minimum Wage: GBP 12.71 an hour for ages 21 and over and GBP 10.85 for ages 18 to 20 from April 2026.
Allowed if your premises are rented, your equipment is worth no more than GBP 5,000 and you have no employees.
You can study. Some courses need an ATAS certificate.
You can leave the UK and return while the visa is valid.
If you turn 31 after the visa is issued, you can stay for as long as it is valid.
Plan the end of the 2 years before you start.
You cannot extend your stay on this visa.
The Immigration Rules say it is not a route to settlement. The default settlement period is moving to 10 years under the earned settlement decision of 2 November 2026.
Family members cannot be included on your application and must apply separately.
You cannot claim most public funds.
You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach.
A sponsored Skilled Worker job needs a salary of at least GBP 41,700 or the going rate. gov.uk does not name Youth Mobility holders among those who cannot switch, but confirm the rules for your own case.
Every figure on this page comes from the pages below. Rules change, so check them before you act.
Related reading: our blog article India Young Professionals Scheme: How the UK Ballot Works, the UK Skilled Worker visa guide, the UK-India CETA mobility page and the UK immigration hub.
If you are not selected, or want to stay beyond 2 years, we can compare the Skilled Worker, Graduate and other UK routes for your profile.
Book Free AssessmentFind answers to the most common questions about this topic.
It is a UK visa for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a degree-level qualification. It lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 24 months. Because places are limited, you first have to be selected in a free ballot.
There were 3,000 places in 2026, mostly in the February ballot (17 to 19 February) and the rest in July (21 to 23 July). gov.uk said there would be no further ballots in 2026. As of 6 November 2026 it has not published 2027 dates or a place count.
You must be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8) or an equivalent overseas qualification. You need GBP 2,530 in savings held for 28 days in a row, no child under 18 who lives with you or depends on you, and no previous stay in the UK on this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Entry is free, with one entry per person per ballot. You give your name, date of birth, passport details, a passport scan or photo, phone number and email. Entries are picked at random and results are emailed within 2 weeks of the ballot closing. gov.uk does not publish how many people enter, so there is no official figure for odds.
The visa fee is GBP 340 and the Immigration Health Surcharge is GBP 1,552, so GBP 1,892 is payable to the UK government. Separately you must show GBP 2,530 in savings. The visa fee is not refunded if the application is rejected. Budget for the police certificate, a tuberculosis test if you live in India, translations and flights as well.
You have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the fee and surcharge, and give your biometrics or complete the ID check. You need the unique application number from the invitation, a police certificate issued within 6 months before you apply and evidence of your degree-level qualification. A decision usually takes 3 weeks, and you must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.
No to all three. The visa cannot be extended, family members cannot be included on your application, and the Immigration Rules say it is not a route to settlement. Staying longer needs a different route, such as a sponsored job. See our UK Skilled Worker visa guide.
The result is final and there is no appeal. You can enter later ballots if you still meet the requirements, including the age limit of 30 on the date you apply.
Our blog article India Young Professionals Scheme: How the UK Ballot Works covers preparation for the 2027 ballot, and the UK immigration hub lists the other UK routes.
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