India Young Professionals Scheme
This new government scheme has been developed to allow young professionals from the UK and India to travel to, live, work and study, in each country. The government has designed this scheme to allow young people to benefit from new cultural experiences and to allow new expertise to be gained in each respective economy. For UK nationals, they do not need to apply through the ballot process and can apply to the scheme at any time.
For Indian nationals, however, there will be two ballot processes to access the scheme. The first was held from 2:30PM (India Standard Time) on the 28th of February 2023 until 2:30PM on the 2nd of March 2023. The next ballot is expected to be held in July for potential applicants. This recent ballot offered a total of 2,400 visas and could be applied for through the government website. The upcoming ballot will also be applied for through the same webpage.
To be eligible to apply, Indian nationals need to be between the ages of 18 and 30, need to possess a degree or higher qualification, have enough savings (£2,530) to support them in the UK, and not have any children under the age of 18 who live with them or who are financially dependent on them. Applicants cannot apply if they have already been to the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme. Further required information includes a valid passport, a valid TB test, and a police report or clearance certificate from India.
Accepted candidates are chosen at random and informed via email. The government advises that only those that will then use their successful ballot to apply for a visa should apply. Those successful in the ballot will then have to make a visa application within 30 days of being told of their success, and the fee is £259 at time of writing. Applicants will also have to pay the immigration health surcharge of £940. The results of the ballot cannot be appealed, however, if a candidate was unsuccessful in the first ballot, they are welcome to apply in the upcoming second ballot.
By : Inci Avci