UK Opens India Young Professionals Visa Ballot on Feb 17. Get Ready to Apply!

Highlights: UK Announces India Young Professionals Visa Ballot for 2026

• The UK has released official details regarding the Indian Young Professionals Scheme ballot for 2026.
• The visa ballot will be open from February 17, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST until February 19, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST.
• The UK government has allocated 3,000 visa spots for Indian applicants under the India Young Professionals Scheme in 2026.
• A majority of the visas will be issued in the February 2026 ballot, with the remaining offered later this year.
• The Young Professionals Scheme visa ballot is free to enter, and selections are random. Upon success, you will be given around 90 days to apply for the visa.

*Want to apply for a UK Youth Mobility Visa? Get in touch with experts at Y-Axis for end-to-end support with the process. 

 

UK Opens Indian Young Professionals Visa Ballot for 2026 in February 

The UK has officially announced the ballot dates for the India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS) visa for 2026. This ballot will remain open from Feb 17, 2026, starting 2:30 PM IST, and will close on Feb 19, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST.

 

Eligible Indians can check their eligibility and submit their entry online. Through the Young Professionals Visa Ballot, young Indian citizens can apply to reside and work in the UK for up to 2 years without employer sponsorship. 

The Young Professionals Scheme visa is one of the flexible visa options for recent Indian graduates looking to work in the UK.

For 2026, the UK has allotted 3,000 visa spots, of which a majority will be issued in the February ballot, leaving the remaining for the rest of the year. 

Indian applicants must ensure they check their eligibility and keep their documents ready to avoid complications, as there will be high demand due to limited slots. 

 

*Want to work in the UK? Let Y-Axis guide you with the steps.
 

UK Indian Young Professionals Visa 2026: Who can apply and how does the Ballot process work?

Indians who wish to apply for the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa must enter the ballot as the first step in the process. The visa ballot is open only to eligible Indian citizens; if selected, they can proceed with the visa application.

There is no fee to enter the ballot; however, it is recommended that candidates check their eligibility before submitting their details. Candidates must submit personal information, including name, passport information, Date of birth, contact details, and a copy of their original passport. Applicants are allowed only one entry per ballot, and submitting multiple times can even lead to automatic disqualification.

 

Given below is a simple step-by-step overview of how to enter the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa ballot:

 

Step 1: Check if you meet the eligibility requirements for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.

Step 2: Gather the required information (passport, basic personal details) before you can enter the ballot.

Step 3: Submit your entry online anytime between the available dates (17–19 February 2026, 2:30 PM IST).

Step 4: Await the ballot results, which will be declared via email within 2 weeks of closure.

Step 5: You can apply for the visa within 90 days of getting selected in the ballot. You will be required to complete the fee payment and the biometric process.

Step 6: If you do not get selected in the ballot, you can retry in the upcoming ballots, provided you meet the required eligibility criteria.

 

Also, read…

UK to Raise Minimum PhD Stipend to £21,805 from October 2026 – Check Your Eligibility

 

Got selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot? Here’s how to proceed further!

Candidates selected via the India Young Professionals Scheme 2026 ballot will receive an official email invitation from the UK authorities confirming their selection. You will be given a maximum of 90 days from the date of receiving an invitation to complete the visa process, which includes an online visa application, payment of the £319 visa fee, the Health Surcharge, and biometric submission. 

Candidates who are selected on the ballot but do not proceed with the visa application can walk out without affecting their eligibility for future ballots. In such cases, the visa slot will automatically be reassigned for the upcoming ballots. 

The Indian Young Professionals Scheme Visa is specifically for Indian citizens aged 18-30, allowing them to reside and work in the UK for 2 years.

The Scheme remains one of the most popular visa options amongst Indians, as it provides international work experience, access to the UK Job market, and the promise of long-term career growth. 

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with UK immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No.1 overseas immigration consultancy!

 

For recent immigration updates on the UK, check out Y-Axis UK immigration News!

 

FAQs

What is the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa?

The UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa is a special work and travel visa for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30. It allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to two years without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship. The visa is issued through a ballot system due to high demand and limited slots. It is part of a bilateral agreement between India and the UK and is ideal for young graduates and professionals seeking international exposure and career growth.

When does the India Young Professionals Scheme 2026 ballot open?

The 2026 ballot for the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa will open on 17 February 2026 at 2:30 PM India Standard Time and close on 19 February 2026 at 2:30 PM IST. Applicants can submit their entry at any time during this window. Results will be communicated by email within two weeks after the ballot closes, and only selected candidates can proceed with the visa application.

How many visas are available under the scheme in 2026?

For 2026, the UK government has allocated a total of 3,000 visa places for Indian citizens under the India Young Professionals Scheme. Most of these places will be released during the first ballot in February, with the remaining slots offered in a second and final ballot later in the year. Due to the limited number of places and high demand, applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance and enter the ballot as soon as it opens.

Is the ballot entry free for Indian applicants?

Yes, entering the ballot for the UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa is completely free of charge. However, applicants should only enter if they genuinely plan to apply for the visa if selected. If chosen, candidates must pay the visa application fee of £319 along with the Immigration Health Surcharge during the visa application stage. Entering the ballot without intending to apply could result in a missed opportunity for other eligible applicants.

What documents are required to enter the ballot?

To enter the ballot, applicants need only basic personal and passport details. This includes a valid Indian passport, a clear scan or photo of the passport, full name, date of birth, phone number, and email address. No educational certificates or financial documents are required at the ballot stage. However, selected candidates will need to meet all eligibility requirements and submit supporting documents during the visa application process.

How are candidates selected in the ballot?

Ballot entries for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa are selected entirely at random. There is no ranking system, points score, or preference given based on education or work experience at this stage. Each eligible applicant has an equal chance of being selected, provided they submit a valid entry. Results are final and cannot be appealed. Applicants who are unsuccessful may enter future ballots if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

What happens if I am selected in the ballot?

If selected, you will receive an official email invitation to apply for the visa. From the date of this email, you have 90 days to submit the online visa application, pay the visa and health surcharge fees, and provide biometric information. Applicants must also demonstrate that they meet the scheme’s eligibility conditions, such as holding an eligible qualification and having sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK.

Can I apply again if I am not selected in the ballot?

Yes, applicants who are not selected in the February ballot can enter future ballots, provided they still meet the eligibility criteria. There is no penalty or negative impact on future applications if you are unsuccessful. The UK government plans to hold a second and final ballot later in 2026 to allocate any remaining visa places under the scheme.

Does not applying after selection affect future eligibility?

No, if you are selected in the ballot but choose not to apply for the visa, it will not affect your eligibility for future ballots. You are not required to inform authorities if you decide not to proceed. The unused visa slot will simply be reallocated. However, given the limited number of places, applicants are encouraged to enter the ballot only if they are confident about applying.

What are the benefits of the India Young Professionals Scheme visa for Indians?

The India Young Professionals Scheme visa offers Indian citizens a unique opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years without employer sponsorship. It provides international work experience, exposure to the UK job market, and the chance to build a global professional network. The visa also allows flexibility to switch jobs, travel within the UK, and gain valuable skills that can enhance long-term career prospects, both in the UK and globally.