The India Young Professionals Scheme ballot for 2026 has officially been announced. This route is a reciprocal agreement designed specifically for Indian nationals to live, work, and study in the UK for up to two years. However, because the scheme is highly popular—often attracting over 70,000 entries for just 3,000 annual places—the first hurdle is the mandatory random selection process.
2026 key dates: mark your calendar
The UK Home Office has confirmed the dates for the first round of the 2026 ballot. You have a very narrow 48-hour window to enter.
- Ballot Opens: 17 February 2026 at 2:30 PM IST
- Ballot Closes: 19 February 2026 at 2:30 PM IST
Note: a second, smaller ballot is expected to take place in July 2026 for any remaining slots.
Step 1: check your eligibility
Before you enter the ballot, you must ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the visa as follows:
- Nationality: you must be an Indian citizen.
- Age: you must be between 18 and 30 years old on the date you apply for the visa.
- Education: unlike the regular youth mobility scheme visa, you must have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7, or 8).
- Financials: you must have at least £2,530 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days.
- Family: you cannot have any children under 18 living with you or financially dependent on you.
Step 2: how to enter the India Young Professionals scheme ballot
When the window opens on February 17, a link will appear on the official GOV.UK page.
Information required:
You will need to provide the following details digitally:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Passport details
- A high-quality scan or photo of your passport
- Phone number and email address
Only submit one entry. If you submit multiple entries, none of them will be counted.
Step 3: the selection process
The selection is entirely random. It does not matter if you enter in the first minute or the last minute of the 48-hour window.
- If you win: You will receive an email within two weeks of the ballot closing. This “invitation to apply” is required to submit your visa application
- If you don’t win: You will also receive an email. You are free to enter the July ballot if you still meet the requirements
Step 4: The visa application (90-day deadline)
If you are successful, you have exactly 90 days from the date of your invitation email to complete your visa application. This involves:
- Applying online using the link in your invitation email
- Paying the application fees of £319 and immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £1,552
- Proving your identity: You may need to visit a VFS Global center in India to provide biometrics
Summary of costs for 2026
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| Ballot Entry | Free |
| Visa Fee | £319 |
| Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,552 |
| Total Upfront Cost | £1,871 |
Need some advice on the scheme?
Book a consultation with our with one of our regulated immigration lawyers to get up to date advice on the ballot, scheme or your eligibility.
