India Young Professionals Scheme visa

A. General overview

An India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

You must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa. To enter the ballot you must declare that you’re eligible for the visa - check if you’re eligible before you enter.

В. Eligibility requirements 

To be eligible for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa you must:

• be an Indian national or citizen between 18 and 30 years old

• be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK

• have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)

• have £2,530 in savings to support yourself in the UK

• not have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you’re financially responsible for

You must first apply to and be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa.

You cannot apply if you’ve already been in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Eligible qualifications

You must have either:

• a qualification at UK bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)

• an equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above

Check with your college or university if you’re not sure what level of qualification you have.

С. Financial maintenance to support yourself

You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

You’ll need to show proof of this when you apply.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

D. Documents to provide

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

• evidence that you have at least £2,530 in your bank account, for example bank statements

• evidence of your qualifications

• your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re living in India or another listed country

• a police report or clearance certificate from India - check how to apply for criminal records checks

You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

Evidence of your qualifications

You will be asked to prove that you have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8).

Your college or university will need to provide written confirmation that you:

• completed your studies

• graduated with the required qualification

Other documents you might need

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. The Home Office will contact you if you need to provide more evidence.

E. How long it takes to get a decision

Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified

• you need to attend an interview

• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

F. How long you can stay

You will be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.

You can enter the UK at any time while your visa is valid, and leave and come back at any time during your stay.

If you turn 31 after your visa is issued, you can stay in the UK for as long as your visa is valid.

G. What you can and cannot do

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)

H. Administrative Review (Entry clearance applications only)

If the entry clearance application is refused by the ECO in the British Diplomatic post, the applicant will be given a right to make a request for a review of the decision that must be exercised within 28 days of the date of service of the decision. The applicant will only be able to rely on the information/documents already submitted with the application and will not be allowed to provide or submit any fresh evidence with the review request.

It is therefore strongly advised to take professional help while making grounds for making review request.

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