GovWire

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

Entering the ballot

You can enter the ballot if youre an Indian citizen and youre eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. Check youre 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.

Its 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 youre successful in the ballot, youll be invited to apply for a visa.

Youll 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 youre 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 youre unsuccessful.

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