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Step-by-Step Guide: Ballot Entry / Selection System Works for the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
There are 3,000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2026. You can enter the ballot, if you’re an Indian Citizen and eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. Most places will be available in the first ballot in February, with remaining spots in the second and final ballot later in the year. Each person may submit only one entry per ballot, and additional entries will not be counted.
When does the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot open / close?
- 📅 The ballot opens at 2:30 PM IST on 17 February 2026 and closes at 2:30 PM IST on 19 February 2026.
When you can enter the ballot?
- You can enter any time while the ballot is open using the official Ballot page.
How Indian Professionals Enter the ballot?
You must be an Indian citizen and eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa to enter the ballot. Before entering the Ballot, you’ve to check the eligibility for the Visa.
Documents Required to Enter the Ballot
You will need to provide your
- name
- date of birth
- passport details
- a scan or photo of your passport
- phone number and email address.
What happens after successful ballot entries for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa with UKVI?
After successful in Ballot, you will be invited to apply for a visa.
You have 90 days from the date of the email to:
- Apply online for the visa.
- Pay the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.
- Provide your fingerprints and photo (biometric information).
**If you are successful in the ballot but choose not to apply for the visa, you don’t need to inform UKVI.
Immigration Health Surcharge
Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application
Yearly Cost:
| Eligible | Cost |
| For students, their dependants, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa | £776 per year |
| For visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at time of application | |
| For all other visa and immigration applications | £1,035 per year |
Cost for part of a year:
The visa fee varies based on the visa duration and the application location.
| Eligible | Cost | |
| 6 months or less | From outside the UK | No need to pay the surcharge |
| Inside the UK | Pay half the yearly cost For students, their dependants or under-18 applications: £388 For any other application: |
|
| More than 6 months but less than one year | Wherever you apply | Pay the cost of a full year |
Cost for more than one year:
If your visa is for more than a year, you’ll have to pay:
- the yearly cost plus half the yearly cost, if it’s for 18 months or less
- the cost of 2 full years, if it’s for more than 18 months but less than 2 years.
Paying for dependants:
- Dependants aged 18 or over usually need to pay the same amount as you.
What happens, if you do not pay the Health Surcharge?
You’ll get an email from UK Visas and Immigration, if you do not pay the surcharge (or do not pay enough). The email will explain how to pay. It will go to the email address given in your visa application.
Once you get the email, you must pay the surcharge within:
- 10 working days if you’re inside the UK
- 7 working days if you’re outside the UK.
What to do, if you’re a Unsuccessful entries in Ballot Process?
- The results of the ballot are final.
- You cannot appeal if you are unsuccessful.
- You can enter future ballots if you are unsuccessful, as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.
How to apply for India Young Professionals Scheme Visa in UK?
Eligibility
To be eligible for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa you must:
- an Indian national or citizen aged 18 to 30 years.
- at least 18 years old on the planned travel date to the UK.
- should not have children under 18 living with them or for whom they are financially responsible.
- must apply and be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before applying for the visa.
**Note: You cannot apply if you’ve already been in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Educational Qualification
- UK bachelor’s degree level or above is classified as Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7, or 8.
- An equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above is also recognized.
Financial Support
- A minimum balance of £2,530 is required in your bank account to demonstrate financial self-support in the UK.
- The funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days.
- 28th day must fall within 31 days prior to the visa application date.
Documents Required
- Valid passport or identity document showing nationality.
- Evidence of at least £2,530 in the bank account (bank statements).
- Documentation of qualifications.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results if residing in India or another specified country.
- A police report or clearance certificate from India, with instructions on applying for criminal records checks.
- Certified translations are required for documents (if yours not in English or Welsh).
*Note: The Home Office will reach out to inform you if additional evidence is required.
How to apply?
- Visit India Young Professionals Scheme
- Enter the required details
- Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and create an account in UKVI.
- Provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a visa application center.
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