The deadline to enter the UK India Young Professionals Scheme ballot is July 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM . This is the second and final ballot for 2026. Indian citizens must enter this ballot to be invited to apply for the visa.
Ballot Details
This July ballot will fill the remaining visa places. The scheme allocated 3,000 spots for Indian citizens in 2026. Most of these were filled in the February ballot. Demand exceeds available places, so direct visa applications are not possible.
To enter the ballot, applicants need to provide:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Passport details (including a scanned copy or photo)
- Phone number
- Email address
Entry into the ballot is free. Each person can submit only one entry.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Young Professionals Scheme, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Be aged between 18 and 39 years old.
- Hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification.
- Have at least £2,530 (approximately ₹2,79,140) in savings.
- Not have dependent children under 18.
Fees and Next Steps
Ballot entry is free. However, if selected and you choose to apply for the visa, fees will apply. These include a £340 visa application fee and an Immigration Health Surcharge.
Selected applicants will receive an email notification within two weeks of the ballot closing. This invitation allows you to begin the formal visa application process. You will have 90 days from the invitation date to apply online and pay the required fees. You must also complete biometric steps, including providing fingerprints and a photograph.
Selection in the ballot does not guarantee visa approval. The visa allows successful applicants to live, work, study, and travel in the UK for up to 24 months. It does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship. Applicants who are not selected can enter future ballots if the scheme continues and they still meet the eligibility rules. There is no option to challenge a non-selection result.
