The United Kingdom will open the next ballot for the India Young Professional Scheme today, February 17, 2026, and close it on February 19, 2026, the UK Home Office has announced. Selected applicants can live, work and study in the United Kingdom for up to 24 months under the scheme. The ballot will open at 14:30 Indian Standard Time on February 17 and close at 14:30 Indian Standard Time on February 19. Who can apply and how The ballot is open to Indians aged 18 to 30, or those who will turn 18 on the date of travel. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, have savings of at least GBP 2,530 and must not have children under 18 with whom they live or support. Candidates selected in the ballot will have 90 days to apply for a visa, pay the visa application fee including the immigration health surcharge, and provide biometrics. Entry into the ballot is free. However, applicants must pay GBP 319 when applying for the visa. Those not selected can apply again in future ballots. In 2026, the United Kingdom has allocated 3,000 places under the scheme. Most places will be filled through the February ballot. The remaining places will be offered in a second and final ballot likely in July 2026. Reciprocal arrangement with India The scheme operates on a reciprocal basis between the India and the United Kingdom. While the UK selects Indian applicants through a ballot system, the reciprocal Indian programme does not use a ballot. Eligible British nationals can apply throughout the year under India’s ‘Employment Visa – E 1’ route. The India Young Professional Scheme forms part of the UK-India Mobility and Migration Partnership signed in May 2021. The agreement aims to strengthen migration arrangements and cooperation on immigration compliance between the two countries. Background and what lies ahead In both 2024 and 2025, the United Kingdom conducted ballots for the scheme in February and July. The programme is similar to the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme, which allows young people from participating countries to experience life in the UK. Further immigration concessions were also included in the India-UK trade agreement confirmed in May 2025. The agreement is yet to be ratified in both countries. Once the application window opens, eligible candidates will be able to submit their ballot online. The scheme provides a defined entry route for qualifying Indian nationals and has a shorter processing timeline compared to several other immigration routes.
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