India Young Professionals Scheme visa (pt. 1)

Steve Fantauzzi
Jun 18
3 min read

Overview

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

You must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for this visa. To enter the ballot you must declare that you’re eligible for the visa - check if you’re eligible before you enter.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for the visa, you must meet the following criteria:

- Be a citizen of India

- Be aged between 18 and 30 years old

- Possess a recognised qualification

- Have a minimum of £2,530 in savings

How to apply

All eligible candidates are invited to participate in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot.
If selected, you will be granted the opportunity to apply for the visa.
Please ensure that you have all the necessary documents prepared for the application process.
Take the next step in your professional journey by applying for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa today.

Our firm, Themis Crown Advocates, and our partners in India are happy to speak to applicants and advise on the process.

When to apply

If you are selected in the ballot, you will receive an email inviting you to proceed with your visa application. You will have a 90-day window from the date of the email to complete the following steps:

- Apply online

- Verify your identity

- Submit the required documents

Please note that you may need to allocate additional time if you require an appointment for these steps. You will be informed if an appointment is necessary when you begin your application.

It is important to keep in mind that you must enter the UK within 6 months of submitting your visa application.

Getting a decision

After submitting your online application, verifying your identity, and submitting the required documents, you can typically expect to receive a decision on your visa within three weeks.

How much it costs

In order to apply, you must:

- Submit the application fee of £298

- Pay a healthcare surcharge of £1,552

- Demonstrate that you have £2,530 in personal savings

Please note that the application fee is non-refundable in the event that your application is denied. It is advisable to verify your eligibility prior to submitting your application.

How long you can stay

You will be granted a visa allowing you to reside and work in the UK for a maximum of 24 months.

During the validity of your visa, you have the flexibility to enter and exit the UK at your convenience.

Furthermore, if you happen to turn 31 after the issuance of your visa, you are permitted to remain in the UK for the duration of the visa's validity.

What you can do

As a student visa holder, there are certain privileges and that you must adhere to. Here is a breakdown of what you can:

Permissible activities include studying, although some courses may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
You are also allowed to work in most jobs
Can even be self-employed by setting up a company, provided that your premises are rented, your equipment does not exceed £5,000 in value, and you do not have any employees.

What you cannot do

However, there are limitations to your visa, these are the restrictions that you cannot do:

You are not allowed to extend your stay beyond the designated period.
Apply for most benefits (public funds)
Include family members on your application - they must apply separately.
Additionally, working as a professional sportsperson, such as a coach, is prohibited under this visa category.