India Young Professionals Scheme visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	India Young Professionals Scheme visa
Stay	Up to 24 months
Cost	£340 fee plus £1,552 healthcare surcharge
Savings required	£2,530 held for 28 consecutive days
Eligible age	18 to 30 years old
Ballot requirement	Must be selected before applying
Processing time	Usually within 3 weeks
Work rights	Permitted for most jobs; restricted self-employment
Study rights	Allowed; some courses require ATAS certificate
Healthcare	£1,552 healthcare surcharge required
Travel facility	Multiple entries permitted during visa validity
Family sponsorship	Cannot include family members on application
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Visa extension	Not permitted

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Purpose

The India Young Professionals Scheme visa allows Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to live, work, and study in the UK for up to 2 years.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, you must:

• Be an Indian citizen or national aged 18 to 30.
• Be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK.
• Be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
• Hold an eligible qualification at UK bachelor's degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7, or 8), or an equivalent overseas qualification.
• Have at least £2,530 in personal savings.
• Not have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or for whom you are financially responsible.
• Not have previously lived in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

Costs and Financial Evidence

• Application Fee: £340 (non-refundable if rejected).
• Healthcare Surcharge: £1,552.
• Maintenance Funds: Proof of at least £2,530 held in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. Day 28 must fall within 31 days of applying.

Rights and Conditions

What You Can Do

• Work in most jobs.
• Be self-employed and set up a company, provided your premises are rented, equipment is worth £5,000 or less, and you have no employees.
• Study (certain courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate).
• Enter the UK at any time while the visa is valid, and leave and re-enter freely.
• Remain in the UK for the full validity of the visa if you turn 31 after it is issued.

What You Cannot Do

• Extend your stay.
• Access most benefits (public funds).
• Include family members on your application (they must apply separately).
• Work as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach).

Required Documents

• A valid passport or other identity and nationality document.
• Bank statements showing at least £2,530 in savings held for 28 consecutive days.
• Written confirmation from your college or university proving you completed your studies and graduated with a bachelor's degree or higher.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results if living in India or another listed country.
• A police report or clearance certificate from India.
• Certified translations for any documents not in English or Welsh.

How to Apply

1. Enter the Ballot: Submit an entry to the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
2. Receive Invitation: If successful, you will receive an invitation email. You have 90 days from the email date to apply online, verify your identity, and provide documents.
3. Submit Application: Apply online by selecting the Youth Mobility Scheme visa and choosing "India" as your nationality.
4. Prove Identity: Either scan your identity document using the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app or attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric information.
5. Travel: You must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.

Processing and Decisions

• Decisions are usually made within 3 weeks after submitting the application, verifying identity, and providing documents.
• Processing may take longer if documents require verification, if an interview is needed, or due to personal circumstances (such as criminal convictions).
• You can request to cancel your application; fees are only refunded if UKVI has not started processing.

Children Born in the UK

Children born in the UK do not automatically become British citizens. To travel internationally with the child, you must apply online for a dependant visa and provide a full UK birth certificate listing both parents.