India Young Professionals Scheme - Ballot System Opening Feb 2024

India Young Professionals Scheme Eligibility

You have a maximum of 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the application fee, including the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and then provide your biometrics.

To be eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa, applicants must meet the requirements stated below:

• A current Indian citizen between the age of 18 - 30 years old.
• Over the age of 18 years old on the planned date of travel to the UK.
• Possess a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above, which includes Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8.
• Currently have savings of £2,530 to support yourself in the UK initially before you find work.
• You are not financially responsible for or have children under the age of 18 years who live with you.

Eligible qualifications also include an equivalent overseas qualification to degree level or above. Your university will need to provide written confirmation that you have completed your studies and that you have graduated with the required qualifications.

It is also mandatory that you provide evidence of having savings to support yourself financially. This includes having a bank account that shows at least £2,530 for at least 28 days in a row, day 28 must also be within 31 days of applying for the visa to be accepted successfully.

You must be outside of the UK when you apply for this visa. You cannot switch whilst you are already in the UK. However, you do not need to be in India when you apply, though you must have the right to stay in the country from where you are applying i.e. you must not be in that country as a visitor.

Documents You Must Provide as Evidence

Once you or your immigration lawyer representing you are satisfied that you are eligible for the India Young Professional Scheme, you should begin to compile the documents to support your application. A list of mandatory documents can be found below:

• Document that shows proof of identity and nationality such as a valid passport or birth certificate.
• Valid bank statement showing at least £2,530 currently in the account for a consecutive 28 days.
• Academic qualifications in the form of certificates or documents showing course completion to the specified level of study.
• A Tuberculosis (TB) test result from an approved UK Home Office clinic if you are currently living in India or another country listed.
• A police report or valid clearance certificate from India.

A local police report/police clearance certificate can be obtained by contacting the Nation Crime Records Bureau who will advise you further of the process and specific cost/time for the application to be submitted. Currently, there is no standard fee for applications as it varies between states. Furthermore, turnaround time also varies depending upon whether the application has been submitted in person (7 - 10 days to collect at the local police station) or via postal procedure (turnaround of up to 30 days). There is no specific fast-track process available, processing times are down to the discretion of the officials operating the police station at the time of applying.

When applying for the India Young Professional Scheme Visa, you will be asked to provide written confirmation from your college or university which discloses you completed your studies and graduated with the required level of qualification necessary for the application.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will also need to provide a certified translation of such documents to be accepted successfully. A blank page in your passport must be available to allow your visa to be attached.

Gov.uk provide more information regarding certifying a document here.

What Can You Do and How Long Can You Stay

You will be able to live and work in the UK for 24 months. You can enter the UK at any time after your visa is approved and you can leave and re-enter.

You will be able to work in most jobs except as a professional sportsperson.

You will also be able to be self-employed. For example, work as a consultant and set up a company. However, your business premises must be rented, your equipment must be no more than £5,000 and you must not have any employees.

You should also note that you are not able to bring your wife or partner as your dependent on this visa. They will need to apply under the ballot system separately.

Whilst you are only able to stay on this visa for 24 months and can not extend the visa, you are however able to switch to another visa category without leaving the UK if you qualify. This might for example be the Skilled Worker visa or Global Talent visa.

Conclusion

The India Young Professionals Scheme Visa is a great opportunity for Indian professionals to immigrate to the United Kingdom, ensuring the Indian citizens are aged between 18 and 30 years old, allowing them to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. You also can switch to another visa status that allows you to continue to work or do business in the UK such as the Skilled Worker visa or Global Talent visa.

The results of the ballots are final and cannot be appealed against, which can be disappointing to entrees' when time has been taken to enter the ballot. You can enter future ballots if you are unsuccessful, with no restrictions being placed on your entry.

How can Paragon Law help?

At Paragon Law, our immigration solicitors and lawyers have supported many individuals to successfully gain the visa they need to enter the UK. If you require assistance with the India Young Professionals Scheme then contact us to arrange a consultation with an expert immigration lawyer.