Voting opens on February 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM IST and closes on February 19, 2026 at 2:30 PM IST. Eligible Indian citizens can submit their entries online during this period.
The scheme allows selected candidates to live and work in Britain for up to two years without the need for a job offer or employer sponsorship.
What is the visa for young professionals between Britain and India?
The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme visa is a work-and-travel route for Indian nationals aged 18 to 30. Successful applicants can stay in Britain for up to two years and work as self-employed or self-employed during that period.
The visa is issued through a voting system because the number of applicants far exceeds the number of places available. The route is part of a bilateral agreement between India and Britain and is widely used by fresh graduates and aspiring professionals looking for work abroad.
Britain has allocated 3,000 places under the scheme by 2026. Most of these slots will be released on the February ballot, while the remaining spots will be distributed on later ballots in the year.
How the voting system works
Indian citizens must first vote to qualify for the visa. Only those selected through the ballot are allowed to submit a full visa application.
There are no costs associated with voting. Applicants may only make one entry per ballot, and multiple entries may result in disqualification.
Applicants must provide basic personal information including name, date of birth, passport information, contact details and a copy of their original passport.
Step by step process to enter the ballot
Step 1: Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa
Step 2: Have your passport and personal details ready before starting the application
Step 3: Submit your ballot online between February 17 and 19, 2026, before 2:30 PM IST
Step 4: Wait for the results, which will be communicated by email within two weeks of the close of voting
Step 5: If selected, apply for the visa within 90 days of receiving the invitation
Step 6: If you are not selected, you can participate in future ballots as long as you remain eligible
What happens after selection
Candidates selected for the 2026 vote will receive an official email invitation from the UK authorities. They have up to 90 days from the date of the invitation to complete the visa process.
This includes submitting an online visa application, paying the visa fee of £319, paying the immigration health surcharge and completing biometric formalities.
Applicants who are selected on the ballot but choose not to proceed with the visa application can opt out without affecting their chances on future ballots. In such cases, the unused slot will be carried over to the upcoming voting rounds.
Who is the scheme intended for?
The India Young Professionals Scheme visa is only open to Indian citizens who are between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application. This allows holders to live and work in Britain for up to two years in a wide range of sectors.
With no employer sponsorship required and a relatively simple entry process, the scheme continues to attract strong interest from young Indians looking to gain international work experience and access the UK labor market.
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