The British Council will open the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) 2025 ballot on Tuesday. The special visa scheme offers Britishers and Indians a unique opportunity to live, study, travel and work in the other country for up to two years.
The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme was launched in February 2023. That year, over 2,100 YPS visas were issued to Indian nationals, according to a release.
Indians aged 18 to 30 years may enter the ballot on gov.uk to be considered for one of the 3,000 spots available under the scheme. The ballot will close on Feb 20. There is no fee to enter the ballot, and successful entries will be picked at random, according to a release from the Council.
Anyone in the 18-30 years age group with a UK bachelor’s degree equivalent and show proof of £2,530 in savings to support themselves in the United Kingdom. Halima Holland, British deputy high commissioner in Chennai said, “The scheme is an excellent programme to help build a better understanding of our countries among the youth.”
She said she would love for more young Indians from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry “aspiring to travel, study or work in the UK, or those learning English to experience a modern, inclusive and open UK.”
Candidates selected from the ballot will be notified through email within two weeks of the ballot closing and invited to apply for the visa.
They can apply for the visa with 90 days through the online application form, provide their biometrics and pay the associated fees, including the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge.
Applicants must return to India after completing two years in the UK under the scheme.
Published – February 18, 2025 12:44 am IST