UK Opens Final 2026 Ballot for India Young Professionals Scheme – Last Chance to Secure 2-Year UK Work Visa
Updated: Jul 15
LONDON — July 15, 2026 — The UK Home Office has confirmed that the second and final ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS) will open on July 21, 2026, offering eligible Indian graduates one last opportunity this year to secure a visa to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom for up to 24 months .
The ballot will run for a narrow 48-hour window, opening at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on July 21, 2026, and closing at 1:30 PM IST on July 23, 2026 . This is the final chance for Indian nationals to compete for the remaining places under the scheme's annual quota of 3,000 visas .
Quick Facts: India Young Professionals Scheme 2026
Feature | Details |
Ballot Opens | July 21, 2026, at 1:30 PM IST |
Ballot Closes | July 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM IST |
Visa Duration | Up to 24 months |
Total Places (2026) | 3,000 |
Visa Fee | £340 |
Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,552 |
Savings Requirement | £2,530 |
Application Window After Selection | 90 days |
Entry to Ballot | Free |
Eligible Age | 18–30 years |
Education Requirement | Bachelor's degree or higher |
Reciprocal Indian Scheme | No ballot – apply year-round for Employment Visa – E 1 |
Where to Enter the Ballot
The ballot entry link will be available on the official UK government webpage when the ballot window opens. You can find it at:
The link will appear on this page during the 48-hour ballot window. Bookmark the page and check it when the ballot opens.
What Is the India Young Professionals Scheme?
The India Young Professionals Scheme is a reciprocal mobility arrangement between the UK and India, signed as part of the UK-India Mobility and Migration Partnership in May 2021 . It allows young Indian graduates to experience life in the UK for up to two years without needing a job offer before travelling .
"The scheme provides a specific entry pathway for qualifying Indian nationals with a relatively short processing time as compared to other schemes."
Successful applicants can:
Work in most professions
Study (with Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate where required)
Travel freely within the UK
Be self-employed or start a business (with restrictions)
Enter and leave the UK freely while the visa remains valid
Restrictions:
Cannot extend the visa beyond 24 months
Cannot bring family members on this visa
Cannot claim most public benefits
Cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach
Who Can Apply?
To enter the ballot, applicants must be Indian citizens who meet the full eligibility criteria for the visa .
Eligibility Requirements
Requirement | Details |
Nationality | Indian citizen or national |
Age | 18–30 years old (must be at least 18 on intended travel date) |
Education | Bachelor's degree or higher qualification (or overseas equivalent) |
Savings | At least £2,530 held for 28 consecutive days |
Dependents | No children under 18 living with or financially dependent on the applicant |
Previous Visa | Must not have previously travelled to the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme |
Information Required for Ballot Entry
When entering the ballot, applicants must provide:
Full name
Date of birth
Passport details
A scan or photo of the passport
Email address
Mobile number
Important: Only one entry per person is allowed for each ballot. Multiple entries will not be counted .
How the Ballot Process Works
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Enter the Ballot (Free)
Submit your entry during the 48-hour window from July 21 to July 23, 2026 . Entry is free, and selection is made at random .
Step 2: Wait for Results
Successful entries will be picked at random. Results are sent by email within two weeks of the ballot closing .
Step 3: Apply for the Visa
If chosen, you will get an invitation email and will have 90 days to:
Submit the online visa application
Pay the visa application fee (£340)
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,552)
Provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph)
Step 4: Travel to the UK
Once the visa is approved, you must travel to the UK within six months of applying .
Important: The ballot results are final with no right to appeal. Unsuccessful entrants can try again in future ballots .
Costs: How Much Does the IYPS Visa Cost?
Item | Cost |
Ballot Entry | Free |
Visa Application Fee | £340 |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,552 (for 2 years) |
Savings Requirement | £2,530 |
Note: The visa application fee is non-refundable if the application is refused .
What Can You Do on the IYPS Visa?
Permitted Activities
Activity | Details |
Live in the UK | Up to 24 months |
Work | Most professions allowed |
Study | With ATAS certificate where required |
Self-Employment | Rented premises, equipment under £5,000, no employees |
Travel | Enter, leave, and re-enter freely during visa validity |
Not Permitted
Activity | Details |
Extend Stay | No extension beyond 24 months |
Bring Family | Dependants cannot be included in the application |
Public Funds | Cannot claim most benefits |
Professional Sports | Cannot work as a coach or professional sportsperson |
The Reciprocal Arrangement: How the Indian Side Works
The scheme is reciprocal. While the UK selects Indian applicants through a ballot system, the Indian programme for UK nationals does not use a ballot .
For UK Citizens Applying to India
No ballot system – eligible individuals can apply throughout the year
Apply directly for an 'Employment Visa – E 1'
Eligibility: UK citizens aged 18–30 with a bachelor's degree
Visa Fee: £720
Key Dates for 2026
Event | Date |
First Ballot 2026 | February 17–19, 2026 |
Second Ballot 2026 | July 21–23, 2026 |
Ballot Results | Within 2 weeks of closing |
Visa Application Window | 90 days from invitation |
Travel Deadline | 6 months from visa application |
What Happens If You Are Not Selected?
The ballot results are final with no right to appeal
Unsuccessful entrants can try again in future ballots if they still meet eligibility
In 2026, this is the final ballot – no further opportunities this year
Your ultimate destination for the latest immigration policies, digital nomad trends, and 2026 visa developments. VisasUpdate.com delivers comprehensive global visa coverage—earning its reputation as the world's most trusted resource. Bookmark us
For the latest visa fee updates, travel news, and 2026 immigration developments, visit visasupdate.com/news
For the latest UK visa updates, India Young Professionals Scheme news, and 2026 immigration developments, visit:👉 visasupdate.com/blog/categories/uk
Comments