Registration February 28th 2023 till March 2nd, 2023.

The changes to the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme made by the UK Home Office means that for the first time, India is on the very short list of eligible countries that can apply for the India Young Professionals visa, announced by UK Home Office this week. 

Nationals from other countries also benefit from a similar visa ballot and visa, which is usually opened twice a year – Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Iceland, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. 

Indian citizens (with a valid Indian passport), aged 18 to 30 can enter the India Young Professionals scheme (previously known as the T5 visa).  This 2-year visa route is open to young Indian professionals who have finished their degree (bachelor’s degree level or above – Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)

This scheme enables 2,400 young Indian professionals the chance to live, study and find work in the UK for up to two years.

What are the steps to getting on this visa route?

STEP 1 Entering the UK visa ballot, which will  2,400 chosen applicants 

If you are picked in the ballot – you can advance to 

STEP 2 Apply for a 2-year entry visa to the UK *

The successful entries will be picked at random.

What must I have to enter this visa scheme

• You must be aged 18 to 30
• You must be the rightful holder of a valid Indian passport
• You must have either an academic degree, BA/MA/Bs.C or higher, OR be able to provide proof of a minimum of three years’ work experience in a professional role equivalent
• You must also be able to show that you have savings of £2,530 held for 28 days prior to the visa application in your personal bank or savings account
• You must be able to prove that you have taken a tuberculosis test
• a police report or clearance certificate from India
• You do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
• If you win one of the 2,400 ballot spots, you have 30 days in which to apply for this visa scheme

What are the benefits of this visa route

• There is no English language requirement
• If you are lucky enough to be chosen from the ballot, it only takes the UKVI Home Office 3 weeks to decide the outcome of your application
• *If you get a suitable job offer from an employer who is either willing to apply for or holds a Home Office-issued sponsor licence, you may be able to switch to a Skilled Worker or Start-up visa from within the UK.
• You may also be able to count the time spent in the UK on this scheme towards your naturalisation if you apply for one of the long-term visas mentioned in the previous point.

So what can I do in the UK on this scheme?

• You can study
• You can take full advantage of this cultural exchange visa programme and live in the UK for 2 years
• You can be self-employed and set up a company – you must work from rented premises, your equipment cannot be worth more than £5,000 AND, you do not have any employees
• You can switch to a Skilled Worker route or the Global talent  Start-up route from within the UK that will cumulate in UK Citizenship*

What are the disadvantages of this visa route?

• If you have dependents, they are not eligible to apply for this visa scheme (dependants: spouse/children under 18 who are financially dependent on you or are living with you)
• It is not a visa route that will, on its own, lead you to UK naturalisation*
• Once you have finished the visa scheme, you cannot apply again for the same scheme and must leave the UK – if you are not eligible to apply for a long-term work visa*

Where are we now?

The UK government has announced that the ballot will open at 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 28 February 2023, and close at 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 2 March,

We are always happy to advise you and manage your visa journey for you

Click here to enter the ballot

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