Originally Published at Technologist Confidant
The UK government recently launched the India Young Professionals Scheme visa as part of its post-Brexit immigration policy. This scheme offers a unique opportunity for young professionals from India to apply for UK work visa and gain valuable experience while contributing to the UK economy. In this article, we’ll explore the details of the visa, its benefits, and its limitations, particularly focusing on UK work visa requirements.
One of the distinctive features of this visa is the ballot system, where applicants are selected randomly through a computer-generated process. Unlike other visa programs that follow a first-come, first-served approach or have fixed quotas, this system ensures fairness and transparency. This helps manage demand for the program and prevent it from being oversubscribed. Though the UK work visa for Indians operates with this innovative ballot system, it mirrors successful approaches used in other countries, such as the H-1B visa program in the United States, providing a fair chance to all applicants who wish to work in the UK.
Requirements for India Young Professionals Scheme Visa
If you're an Indian national or citizen between the ages of 18 and 30 and planning to travel to the UK, you may be eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa. However, there are specific requirements you must meet in order to apply. Here is what you need to know:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK.
Qualification: You must have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or an equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above. If you're not sure whether your qualification meets the requirements, check with your college or university.
Financial Requirement: You must have £2,530 in savings to support yourself in the UK. You need to show proof of this when you apply, and you must have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
Dependents: You cannot have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or whom you're financially responsible for.
Ballot Selection: You must first apply to and be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa. You cannot apply if you've already been in the UK under the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
If you meet all of the above requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
To apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa, you must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport or other document that confirms your identity and nationality.
- Evidence that you have at least £2,530 in your bank account, such as bank statements.
- Proof of your qualifications that meet the criteria for a bachelor’s degree or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8). This must be confirmed in writing by your college or university.
- Your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you are living in India or another country on the list.
- A police report or clearance certificate from India.
In addition, if your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will need to provide a certified translation. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to provide additional documents. If this is the case, the Home Office will contact you to request more evidence.
Benefits of the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa: The India Young Professionals Scheme visa offers several benefits to Indian nationals who wish to work in the UK. These include:
- The ability to work in any field in the UK, except for self-employment and professional sportsperson.
- The opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the UK.
- The ability to make connections with UK businesses and professionals.
- The potential for career progression and development.
- The chance to experience British culture and way of life.
Limitations of the India Young Professionals Scheme Visa: While the India Young Professionals Scheme visa offers several benefits, there are also some limitations to consider. These include:
- The visa is only valid for two years, after which applicants will need to leave the UK.
- The visa does not lead to permanent residence or settlement in the UK.
- Applicants are not permitted to switch into any other visa category while they are in the UK.
- Applicants cannot work as a self-employed person or professional sportsperson.
How to apply
To apply for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa, you must first be successfully selected in the scheme's ballot and receive an invitation to apply. The application form will be made available once you have received the invitation.
The next ballot will be open from 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 28 February 2023 until 2:30 pm India Standard Time on 2 March. To enter, you'll need to provide your name, date of birth, passport details, a scan or photo of your passport, phone number, and email address. Successful entries will be chosen at random, and you'll be notified by email within two weeks of the ballot closing.
It's important to note that you should only enter the ballot if you're eligible for the visa and plan to apply for it, as it costs £259 and requires meeting certain financial, educational, and other requirements. If you're one of the 2,400 successful entries, you'll have 30 days from the date of the email to apply online, pay the visa application fee, and immigration health surcharge.
Proving Your Identity and Supporting Documents
As you proceed with the application, it will be necessary to verify your identity. This may require you to visit a visa application centre for the purposes of fingerprinting and photographing. It is important to be aware that the centre may retain possession of your passport and related documents while processing your application.
Documents You Must Provide
When applying, you will need to provide several documents, including a valid passport, proof of £2,530 in savings, evidence of your qualifications, tuberculosis test results (if applicable), and a police report or clearance certificate from India. Your college or university will also need to provide written confirmation that you completed your studies and graduated with the required qualification. If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will need to provide a certified translation. Additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances, and the Home Office will inform you if so.
Getting a Decision
Once you've applied, provided your documents, and proved your identity, you'll usually receive a decision within three weeks. You will be contacted if your application will take longer, and you may be able to pay for a faster decision. If you ask to cancel your application before UKVI processes it, you may get a refund of your fee.
If You Have a Child While in the UK
If you have a child while in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen. You will need to apply online for your child's dependent visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them. You will need to provide a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents for each child.
The Expenses Involved Are As Follows:
- An application fee of £259 is required.
- A healthcare surcharge of £940 must be paid.
- Proof of personal savings amounting to £2,530 is necessary.
Your application fee will not be refunded if your application is rejected.
If you choose not to apply for the visa after being selected in the ballot, you don't need to notify anyone. However, if you're unsuccessful in the ballot, the results are final, and you cannot appeal. You can enter future ballots if you don't make it in the current one and meet the requirements, with the next one likely to be held in late July.
Keep an eye on this page for further updates.
