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.

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

EnterThe thenext ballot.

The ballot will open at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 25 July 2023, and close at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 27 July 2023.

You can enter any time while the ballot is open. The link to enter will be on this page.

Entering the ballot

You can enter the ballot if you’re an Indian citizen and you’re eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. Check you’re 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’s free to enter the ballot. You should only enter if you plan to apply for the visa, which costs £259, 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 2023. Most places were given in the February ballot. The remaining places will be given in the July ballot.

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

Successful entries

If you’re successful in the ballot, you’ll be invited to apply for a visa.

You’ll have 30 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.

If you’re 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’re unsuccessful.

You can enter future ballots if you’re unsuccessful.

Published 21 February 2023
Last updated 2518 July 2023 + show all updates
  1. The ballot is now open.

  2. Dates for the next ballot added.

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

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

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

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

  7. First published.