Home / The India Young Professionals Scheme: 24 months in the UK
🇮🇳 India YPS · Ballot · 2026
The India Young Professionals Scheme: 24 months in the UK
The India Young Professionals Scheme lets Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree live and work in the UK for up to 24 months without a job offer. Places are given by ballot: 3,000 a year. Both 2026 ballots have closed, and 2027 dates have not been announced as of 15 October 2026.
For 2026 there were 3,000 places. The Home Office ran two ballots:
Ballot 1: opened 17 February 2026, closed 19 February 2026.
Ballot 2: opened 21 July 2026 (1:30pm IST), closed 23 July 2026 at 9am.
All 2026 ballots are closed. GOV.UK says details of future ballots will be published on the ballot page; 2027 dates have not been announced. Based on recent years, ballots have tended to open in February and July, but treat this as a pattern, not a promise.
Beware of agents who claim to sell "guaranteed" YPS places or early entry. Entering the ballot is free and done only on GOV.UK.
Who is eligible
Indian citizen with a valid Indian passport.
Aged 18 to 30 on the date you apply for the visa.
A bachelor's degree or higher (RQF level 6 or above). A three-year Indian BA, BSc or BCom, and a four-year BTech or BE, usually meet this level.
Savings of at least £2,530 (about ₹3.2 lakh at ₹126 per pound), held in your bank account for 28 consecutive days, with the last day within 31 days of applying.
No children under 18 who live with you or whom you are financially responsible for.
Not previously in the UK on this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme.
There is no job offer, sponsor or salary requirement. Your partner cannot come as your dependant; they would need a visa of their own (for example, if they also win a YPS place).
How the ballot works
When a ballot opens, you enter on the GOV.UK ballot page with your name, date of birth, passport details, a scan or photo of your passport, phone number and email. Entry is free and you enter once per ballot. Selection is random.
If you are selected, you receive an email invitation. You then have 90 days to apply for the visa and pay the fee and IHS. Once your visa is approved you must travel within 6 months of applying. Unsuccessful entrants are not told individually in every case; if you hear nothing, assume you were not selected and enter the next ballot.
Costs
Item
Amount
Ballot entry
Free
Visa fee
£340
IHS (24 months at £776 a year)
£1,552
Savings to show (not paid to the Home Office)
£2,530
TB test from an approved clinic in India
Clinic fee varies; check the clinic
Fees and IHS add up to £1,892 (about ₹2.4 lakh). Add flights, a rental deposit and your first month's rent. London rents are high, so model your budget with the UK cost of living tool.
What you can do in the UK
Work for almost any employer, in any job, without sponsorship. You still need to be paid at least the minimum wage (£12.71/hour for ages 21+ from 1 April 2026).
Study, though some courses need ATAS clearance.
Be self-employed in limited ways; GOV.UK sets conditions (for example on premises, equipment value and employees), so check the scheme page before starting a business.
Travel in and out of the UK during your visa.
You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, claim most public funds, bring dependants, or extend the visa. Time on YPS does not count towards ILR. Many people use the 24 months to get UK experience and then look for a sponsored Skilled Worker job. If you are under 26 when you apply for that, you count as a new entrant, with a lower salary floor of £33,400 and 70% of the going rate.
How to prepare for the next ballot
Check your age window. If you turn 31 soon, you may age out before the 2027 ballots. Your age matters on the visa application date.
Renew your passport if it expires within the next 2 to 3 years. Enter with the passport you will travel on.
Keep degree documents ready: final degree certificate and transcripts. A provisional certificate may not be enough.
Build and hold £2,530 in your own account. Do not move it out once the 28-day period starts.
Plan the 90-day window. If selected, you need time for a TB test, VFS biometrics appointment and your notice period.
Update your CV for UK employers (see UK CV guide).
Watch the official ballot page regularly. Ballots stay open for only about two days.
Common mistakes
Paying agents for ballot entry or "priority".
Missing the 90-day application window after selection.
Entering details that do not match your passport.
Savings in a parent's account rather than your own.
Expecting to bring a spouse or children.
Assuming you can extend to stay longer. You will need to switch to another route.
Step by step
Check eligibilityConfirm you are an Indian citizen aged 18–30 with a bachelor's degree and no dependent children.
Watch for the next ballotCheck the GOV.UK India YPS ballot page; 2027 dates are not announced yet.
Enter the ballotEnter free on GOV.UK with your passport details while the ballot is open, usually for about two days.
If selected, apply within 90 daysApply online, pay £340 and £1,552 IHS, and show £2,530 held for 28 days.
Do your TB test and biometricsGet a TB certificate from an approved clinic and attend VFS Global in India.
Travel within 6 months of applyingSet up your UKVI account, link your passport and travel before the deadline.
Questions people ask
When is the next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot?
As of 15 October 2026 no 2027 ballot has been announced. Both 2026 ballots, in February and July, have closed.
How many places are there?
There were 3,000 places for Indian citizens in 2026.
How much money do I need for the India YPS visa?
£2,530 in savings, plus the £340 visa fee and £1,552 IHS for 24 months.
Can I extend the India Young Professionals Scheme visa?
No. It lasts up to 24 months and cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch to another visa such as Skilled Worker.
Do I need a job offer?
No. You do not need a job offer or sponsor, and you can work for almost any employer.
Can I apply if I am 30?
Yes. You must be 18 to 30 on the date you apply for the visa, so a 30-year-old can apply but someone who has turned 31 cannot.
ℹ️ Orientation only, not legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and processing times change and offices apply them differently. Check the official source or ask the authority before you act. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.
