Guidance

India Young Professionals Scheme visa: ballot system

This guidance explains how to enter the ballot to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, and how the ballot system works.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
21 February 2023
Last updated
20 February 2025 — See all updates

You need to enter a ballot if you want to apply for a visa for the India Young Professionals Scheme.

The first 2025 India Young Professionals Scheme ballot has closed.

Details of the next ballot in 2025 will be published on this page.

Entering the ballot

You can enter the ballot if you are an Indian citizen and you are eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. Check you are eligible before entering the ballot.

You will need to provide your:

  • name
  • date of birth
  • passport details
  • a scan or photo of your passport
  • phone number
  • email address

The successful entries will be picked at random. You will be sent the results by email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.

It is free to enter the ballot. You should only enter if you plan to apply for the visa, which costs £298, and are able to meet the financial, educational and other requirements.

There are 3,000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2025. Most places will be available in the February ballot. The remaining places will be made available in the second and final ballot in July.

You can only submit one entry per person for each ballot. Any further attempts to enter will not be counted.

Successful entries

If you are successful in the ballot, you will be invited to apply for a visa.

You have 90 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the visa application fee, including the immigration health surcharge and provide your biometrics.

If you are successful in the ballot but choose not to apply for the visa, you do not need to tell us.

Unsuccessful entries

The results of the ballot are final. You cannot appeal if you are unsuccessful.

You can enter future ballots if you are unsuccessful, as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Updates to this page

Published 21 February 2023
Last updated 20 February 2025 + show all updates

  1. The first 2025 India Young Professionals Scheme ballot has now closed.

  2. Updated the information as the ballot is now open.

  3. Added information about the opening of the ballot on 18 February 2025.

  4. Updated to say the second 2024 ballot is now closed.

  5. Updated as the ballot is now open.

  6. Added the dates for the July 2024 ballot.

  7. Updated to say the first 2024 ballot has now closed.

  8. The ballot is now open. Applicants have until 2:30pm India Standard Time on 22 February 2024 to apply.

  9. Updated to say the next ballot will open on 20 February 2024.

  10. Updated as the ballot has now closed.

  11. The ballot is now open.

  12. Dates for the next ballot added.

  13. Added information about checking your junk/spam if you entered the ballot.

  14. Updated to say that the ballot is now closed.

  15. Added details about the ballot restarting because of technical issues.

  16. States that the ballot is open and links to the ballot entry page.

  17. First published.

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