The UK Home Office has officially opened the first 2026 ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS), offering 3,000 self-sponsored visas that allow successful applicants aged 18–30 to live and work in Britain for up to two years. Registration is free and runs from 14:30 IST on 17 February until the same time on 19 February.
Unlike employer-sponsored routes, the IYPS functions much like a lottery: candidates submit passport and contact details online and await results by e-mail within two weeks. Those selected have 90 days to file a full visa application, pay fees (£298 visa fee plus £1,552 immigration health surcharge) and provide biometrics.
For Indian graduates eyeing global careers, the scheme offers a rare pathway to UK labour market experience without pre-arranged jobs. For employers, it expands the talent pool by up to 3,000 bilingual professionals who can take fixed-term roles without the administrative burden of Certificates of Sponsorship or minimum-salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route.
![UK Opens 2026 India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot—3,000 Visas Up for Grabs]()
To simplify what can be a daunting administrative process, applicants can turn to VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service. Through its India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/), the company offers step-by-step guidance, document pre-checks and appointment booking, helping IYPS hopefuls avoid common mistakes and meet tight 90-day submission deadlines.
HR teams with UK operations should prepare fast-track onboarding frameworks so that ballot winners can hit target start dates. Given that most places will be filled in this first round, companies may wish to front-load recruitment marketing over the next fortnight.
A second, smaller ballot is expected later in 2026. Unsuccessful entrants can re-apply provided they still meet age and degree criteria.
Unlike employer-sponsored routes, the IYPS functions much like a lottery: candidates submit passport and contact details online and await results by e-mail within two weeks. Those selected have 90 days to file a full visa application, pay fees (£298 visa fee plus £1,552 immigration health surcharge) and provide biometrics.
For Indian graduates eyeing global careers, the scheme offers a rare pathway to UK labour market experience without pre-arranged jobs. For employers, it expands the talent pool by up to 3,000 bilingual professionals who can take fixed-term roles without the administrative burden of Certificates of Sponsorship or minimum-salary thresholds under the Skilled Worker route.
To simplify what can be a daunting administrative process, applicants can turn to VisaHQ, an online visa facilitation service. Through its India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/), the company offers step-by-step guidance, document pre-checks and appointment booking, helping IYPS hopefuls avoid common mistakes and meet tight 90-day submission deadlines.
HR teams with UK operations should prepare fast-track onboarding frameworks so that ballot winners can hit target start dates. Given that most places will be filled in this first round, companies may wish to front-load recruitment marketing over the next fortnight.
A second, smaller ballot is expected later in 2026. Unsuccessful entrants can re-apply provided they still meet age and degree criteria.
