India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot Opens 28 February 2023
Get ready for the India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot if you are interested in one of the 2,400 places on offer.
In this blog, our immigration solicitors look at the new India to UK visa option.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call our expert London immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
The India Young Professionals Scheme
The India Young Professionals Scheme visa enables Indian nationals to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
The visa application is a 2 stage process:
- You get selected in the ballot for a visa place – places are limited by the Home Office
- You apply to the Home Office for the visa and establish that you meet the eligibility criteria
The India Young Professionals Scheme ballot February 2023
The India Young Professionals Scheme visa ballot system opens at 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 28 February 2023.
The ballot will only remain open for a couple of days, closing at 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 2 March 2023.
There are only 2,400 visa places. If you miss out and don’t get one of the places the next ballot will be held in July 2023.
The ballot can be entered via the UK government website.
You can't make your Home Office visa application unless you have a place on the scheme. The Home Office will let you know if you have been successful in the ballot and you then have a time-limited opportunity to apply for the visa. Once you have that the Home Office will consider the second stage of the application process and decide whether to grant a visa based on whether you meet the eligibility criteria.
The India Young Professionals Scheme eligibility criteria
To secure the India Young Professionals Scheme visa you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an Indian citizen
- Be aged between 18 and 30 years old. You must be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK
- Meet the qualification criteria
- Have sufficient savings - £2,530. You must have had the money available for at least 28 days and day 28 of holding the money must be within 31 days of applying for your visa
- Do not have any children who are under the age of 18 and who live with you or whom you are financially responsible for
- You have not previously entered the UK on the scheme or on the Youth Mobility Scheme
The qualification criteria for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa
The qualification criteria for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa are that you must have a qualification at bachelor degree level or above. This is referred to by immigration solicitors as RQF Level 6,7 or 8. Alternatively, you need an equivalent overseas qualification at a degree level or above.
Working and studying in the UK on the India Young Professionals Scheme visa
If you obtain a Young Professionals Scheme visa you can study in the UK although you may need an academic technology approval scheme certificate.
In relation to work, you can work in the vast majority of jobs save for working as a professional sportsperson. You can also set up your own business and be self-employed. However, there are some extra rules, such as if you set up a company you can only rent business premises and the equipment must not be worth more than £5,000. In addition, your company cannot employ any employees. If you want an alternative visa where you can grow your business then immigration solicitors can look at your eligibility criteria for a start-up visa or innovator visa.
Home Office fees for the India Young Professionals Scheme
There are various fees associated with an India Young Professionals Scheme application, namely:
- Home Office application fee of £259
- Immigration health surcharge of £940
The length of the India Young Professionals Scheme visa
If you secure a visa it will last for up to 24 months allowing you to live and work in the UK during that period. That’s the case even if you pass your 30th birthday whilst in the UK on your visa.
Coming to the UK on the India Young Professionals Scheme
If you secure a visa under this route then you must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying for the visa. The visa does not lead to settlement in the UK.
If your goal is to settle in the UK and obtain indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship then our immigration solicitors can look at alternative visa options for you, such as the skilled worker visa.
How can OTS Solicitors help
The specialist immigration solicitors can advise you on your India to UK visa options and help you with your application and guide you on the supporting evidence you need.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call our expert London immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Related Posts
A Guide to The New 'High Potential Individual Visa'
OTS Solicitors Celebrate the 2023 Legal 500 London Immigration Rankings
Business Immigration Solicitor Hans Sok Appadu Nominated for Rising Star Award 2022