India Young Professionals Scheme Visa: Application 2023-24 and How to Apply?

Are you a young professional from India who wants to live and work in the UK? If yes, then you might be interested in the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, a new opportunity for Indian citizens to experience the culture and lifestyle of the UK. This blog will explain what this visa is, how to apply for it, and what you can and cannot do with it. Read on to find out more about this exciting scheme and how you can be a part of it!

Name	India Young Professionals Scheme visa
Application Fee	GBP 259 (INR 27k)
Approval time	3 weeks
Benefits	You can study, work in most jobs, be self-employed and set up a company (with some restrictions), and travel in and out of the UK.

Must Read: Study in UK 2023: Cost, Requirements, Scholarships, Visa

India Young Professionals Scheme Visa: Overview

The India Young Professionals Scheme visa is a part of the UK-India partnership that was announced in May 2021. It is a special visa category that allows Indian nationals (aged between 18-30 years) to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years, without any restrictions on the type of work they can do (except for professional sportspersons).

This visa is similar to the Youth Mobility Scheme visa that is available for citizens of other countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, etc. It also allows them to study, be self-employed, or set up a company in the UK, as long as they meet certain conditions.

Also Read: Indian Students Adding to the UK Economy

Who Can Apply for this Visa?

To be eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be an Indian citizen.
• You must be between 18 and 30 years old.
• You must have a qualification at a bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8).
• You must have £2,530 in your bank account
• You must not have children under 18 who live with you or depend on you financially.
• You must not have previously been in the UK under this visa or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

You can check the full list of eligibility requirements on the official website of the UK government.

How Does the Ballot System Work?

The India Young Professionals Scheme has a limited number of places available each year. For 2023-24, there are 3,000 places allocated for Indian nationals. To apply for the visa, you must:

1. Enter a ballot (or a lottery) and be selected randomly. The ballot is free to enter and does not guarantee your visa approval.
2. To enter the ballot, you must declare that you are eligible for the visa and provide some basic information such as your name, date of birth, passport number, email address, etc. 
3. You can enter the ballot online on the official website of the UK government. You can only enter the ballot once per year. If you enter more than once, you will be disqualified.

The ballot opens and closes at different times each year. For 2023-24, the ballot opens on 1 October 2023 and closes on 31 October 2023. You can enter the ballot anytime during this period. 

The results of the ballot will be announced by email within 10 working days after the ballot closes. If you are successful in the ballot, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa. 

The invitation will contain a unique reference number and a deadline to submit your application. The deadline is usually 30 days after you receive the invitation. You must apply for your visa before this deadline or your invitation will expire.

How to Apply for the Visa if You Are Selected By the Ballot?

To apply for your visa, you must complete the following formalities:

1. Fill out the online application form for the visa and provide some supporting documents like your passport, your qualification certificate, your bank statement, etc. 

2. Pay an application fee of £259 (non-refundable) and a healthcare surcharge of £940. 

3. Prove your identity; depending on where you are from and what type of passport you have, you will either:

• Have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre
• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document

Once you have completed the above steps, you will usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. You will be contacted by email if your application is approved or rejected. 

If your application is approved, 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.

Also Read: UK Visa Requirements for Indians 

Benefits and Limitations of the Visa

Dos:

• 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

Dont’s:

• 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)

Tips to Prepare for the Ballot and the Application Process

The India Young Professionals Scheme visa is a competitive and popular visa program that attracts many applicants each year. To increase your chances of getting the visa, here are some tips on how to prepare for the ballot and the application process:

• Research the UK job market: Before you enter the ballot, it is a good idea to research the UK job market and see what kind of opportunities are available for your skills and qualifications. 
• Update your CV and cover letter: If you are planning to work in the UK, you will need to update your CV and cover letter to suit UK standards and expectations. 
• Check your documents: Before you apply for the visa, you will need to check your documents and make sure they are valid and accurate. You will need to provide your passport, your qualification certificate, your bank statement, etc. as part of your application. You will also need to provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
• Plan your budget: Living and working in the UK can be expensive, so you will need to plan your budget carefully and make sure you have enough money to cover your expenses. You will also need to pay for your travel costs, accommodation costs, food costs, etc. while you are in the UK. 

Also Read: What is Golden Visa?: Eligibility, Benefits and More

What If You Are Selected?

If your application for a YPS visa is approved, you will be given many key pieces of documentation that will allow you to prove your visa status.

This documentation includes a vignette, which is a sticker that is attached to your passport. The following information will be shown in the vignette or online immigration status information:

• The sort of visa you have received. In this instance, a YPS visa is required.
• The commencement and termination dates of the visa’s validity duration.
• Any conditions that come with your visa.

If you provided your biometric information at a visa application centre prior to your application, you will be given a sticker.

Login information and credentials to access your immigration status information online,
If you utilised the smartphone app to verify your identification, you will be given these facts.

Also Read: UK Skilled Worker Visa

The Final Word

To sum up, the India Young Professionals Scheme is a great opportunity for Indian graduates to gain international experience and exposure, enhance their skills and qualifications, explore the UK culture and lifestyle, and make new friends and connections. The visa also opens up new possibilities for future career opportunities, education, or travel in the UK or elsewhere.

FAQs

We hope you got all the information regarding the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, including its eligibility criteria, the application process, and its benefits and limitations. To explore different visas to study abroad, stay tuned to Leverage Edu.