UK Invites Applications for Young Professionals Visa Scheme: Check Eligibility, Process and Cost

As you may be aware, in November 2022, the UK’s newly appointed PM Rishi Sunak announced and approved up to 3,000 visas for young Indian professionals to live and work in the country under a new ‘Young Professionals Visa Scheme’.

Now, the United Kingdom High Commission in India announced on Tuesday that the first Young Professionals Scheme ballot will be open from 14:30 IST on February 28 to 14:29 IST on March 2.

India – Young Professionals Visa Scheme

As per the official website of the UK Govt, an India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years.

Before you can apply for this visa, you must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot. To enter the ballot, you must declare that you are eligible for the visa – check to see if you are before entering.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Young Professionals Scheme, applicants require to have a bachelor’s degree or above and possess £2,530 (approximately ₹2.6 lakhs) in savings. Furthermore, Applicants must also not have any dependent minor children.

• be an Indian citizen
• be between 18 and 30 years old
• have an eligible qualification
• have £2,530 in savings

Entering the Ballot

The India Young Professionals Scheme ballot can be entered by qualified candidates by filling out an online form with their information, including name, phone number, email address, date of birth, passport information, and a scanned copy of their passport.

Ballot Details

As we mentioned earlier, the first ballot period starts on February 28 at 2:30 pm (IST) and ends on March 2 at 2:29 pm (IST). Within two weeks of the ballot’s closing, candidates who received winning entries will be notified via email.

Notably, It’s free to enter the ballot, but candidates should only apply if they plan to pay the visa application fee of £259 (Approx. ₹26,000).

How to Apply?

The invitation to submit a visa application will then be sent to the selected candidates. After receiving the email, they will have 30 days to apply online, pay the visa application fee, and pay the immigration health surcharge.

1. If you’re eligible, enter the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
2. If you’re successful in the ballot, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
3. Prepare the documents that you need to apply.
4. Apply for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa.

Cost

The visa application fee is £259, or roughly 26,000, and a healthcare surcharge of £940, or roughly 94,000, is also necessary. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate that within 31 days of submitting their visa application, they had the $2,530 in personal savings available for at least 28 days straight.

• Pay the application fee of £259 (₹26000)
• Pay a healthcare surcharge of £940 (₹94000)
• Prove you have £2,530 in personal savings (₹2,50,000)

Timeline for Application

The Young Professionals Visa scheme requires successful applicants to apply for their visas within 30 days of receiving an invitation. The invitation will include information about this deadline.

Within six months of the date of the visa application, the travellers must visit the UK. The latest date of arrival in the UK, for instance, would be September 15, 2023, if the application were submitted on March 16, 2023.

Identity Verification and Required Documents

As part of the application process, applicants also need to submit identification documentation and other necessary materials. An appointment might be required depending on the specific requirements; extra time should be given for this.

Visa Decision

Once the application and identity verification process is complete, a decision on the visa will typically be communicated within three weeks.

Visa Validity

The Young Professionals Visa allows individuals to live and work in the UK for a maximum of 24 months. During this period, holders are free to enter and exit the country at any time while their visa is valid.

If an individual turns 31 while the visa is still valid, they can remain in the UK until the visa expires.

Do’s and Don’t

You can:

• study – for some courses, you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
• 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)

Final Words

The Young Professionals Visa scheme of the UK Government allows Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. Candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements, enter the ballot, and apply for the visa within 30 days of receiving an invitation.

This programme provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young professionals to explore career opportunities and personal growth in the United Kingdom.