The UK Government has confirmed the dates for the next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot, giving eligible Indian citizens a short window in February 2026 to register for a chance to apply for this UK visa.
The scheme continues to operate on a ballot-only basis. Applicants cannot apply for the visa directly. Selection through the ballot is required before a visa application can be submitted, and demand continues to exceed the number of places available each year.
February 2026 ballot dates
The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 17 February 2026 and will close at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 19 February 2026.
Entries can be submitted at any point while the ballot is open. There is no advantage to applying early, as selection is random. Once the ballot closes, entries cannot be changed and any errors in the information provided cannot be corrected.
The official ballot entry link will be published on the guidance page operated by UK Visas and Immigration.
How the ballot system works
Entry to the ballot is free and limited to one entry per person for each ballot. Duplicate entries are automatically disregarded.
Successful entries are selected at random. Being eligible does not improve the chances of selection, and the timing of the entry within the ballot window does not affect the outcome. Results are sent by email within two weeks of the ballot closing date. There is no appeal process for unsuccessful entries.
There are 3,000 places available under the India Young Professionals Scheme in 2026.
Most places will be released through the February ballot. Any remaining places will be made available through a second and final ballot later in the year, with dates confirmed separately.
Visa eligibility requirements to check before entering
The ballot does not assess eligibility. Applicants should check that they meet all visa requirements before entering, as selection only allows an application to be made and does not guarantee approval.
To qualify for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, applicants need to meet the following requirements.
- be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30
- hold a valid Indian passport
- have a bachelor’s degree or higher recognised as equivalent to a UK degree
- meet the English language requirement, unless exempt
- show £2,530 in personal savings held for a consecutive 28-day period
- have no dependants and not be responsible for a child under 18
- meet suitability requirements, including character and immigration history checks
Applicants who enter the ballot without meeting these requirements risk being selected and then refused at the visa application stage.
What happens if you are selected
Applicants selected in the ballot are invited to apply for the visa and have 90 days from the date of the invitation email to submit their application.
During this period, applicants need to complete the online application, pay the £319 visa fee, pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the two-year stay and provide biometric information. Supporting documents are required to prove that all eligibility criteria are met.
If an application is not submitted within the 90-day window, the opportunity is lost and the place cannot be carried forward.
Being selected in the ballot does not confirm that a visa will be granted. Eligibility checks take place only at the application stage, and applications can be refused if evidence is missing, incorrect or does not meet the requirements. Preparing documents in advance often reduces pressure and helps avoid problems once the application window opens.
If you are not selected
Applicants who are not selected in the February ballot can enter the later ballot in 2026 if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. Others may decide to explore alternative UK visa routes, depending on their plans and circumstances.
If you are not selected in the ballot or do not meet the eligibility requirements, it may be sensible to consider alternative UK visa routes that offer more predictable outcomes or better alignment with your longer-term plans.
A competitive route with strict deadlines
The confirmation of the February 2026 ballot dates gives applicants a clear timeframe, but the underlying nature of the scheme remains unchanged. Places are limited, selection is random and deadlines are strict.
For anyone considering the India Young Professionals Scheme, checking eligibility early and understanding what the ballot does and does not offer is an important first step before deciding whether to apply.
