Youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025!
What is the Youth Mobility Visa UK-India ballot 2025?
The youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025 refers to the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS). This is a UK-India youth mobility agreement. It allows Indian citizens aged 18–30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
You must first win a slot via a ballot. Only then can you apply for the visa. The process is free to enter and randomised.
This is also sometimes called the "YPS ballot 2025" or "Youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025."
Why it matters for young Indians
This scheme gives young graduates a big chance. You can work. You can study. You can get exposure to a new culture. You can grow professionally. It is a rare chance to build skills abroad without sponsorship.
No employer is needed. That makes it unique. The process only requires you to meet eligibility and win the ballot.
No employer is needed. That makes it unique. The process only requires you to meet eligibility and win the ballot.
Who is eligible for the youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025?
To enter the YPS ballot, you must:
- Be a citizen of India and aged between 18 and 30.
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree (UK RQF Level 6 or higher, or equivalent).
- Show at least £2,530 in savings. The amount must be held for at least 28 consecutive days and within 31 days before application.
- Do not have children under 18 who live with you or are financially dependent.
- Never previously held a Youth Mobility or YPS visa.
All must be met before entering the ballot.
When were the ballots held in 2025?
There were two Youth Mobility Visa UK-India Ballots 2025 this year.
- First ballot: 18 February – 20 February 2025. This allocated most of the 3,000 places.
- Second (final) ballot: 22 July – 24 July 2025, from 1:30 pm IST on both days. The remaining places were filled then.
No more ballots were cast in 2025. You could enter both if you are unsuccessful in the first attempt.
How to enter the Youth Mobility Visa UK-India Ballot 2025
You must go to the GOV.UK and fill out an online form during the 48-hour window.
Required details:
- Full name and date of birth.
- Passport number plus scan or photo.
- Email and phone number.
The entry is free. Use only the official GOV—UK link. Avoid agents offering fast-track or guaranteed spots.
Only one entry per person is allowed—you’ll be disqualified for duplicates.
After the ballot: successful entries
If selected, you’ll get an email within two weeks of the ballot closing.
From the email date, you have 90 days to:
From the email date, you have 90 days to:
- Apply online for the YPS visa (Youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025)
- Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge.
- Submit biometric information (fingerprints and photo) via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a VAC.
The visa fee is £319. The healthcare surcharge is around £1,552 for two years.
You’ll get a decision within 3 weeks unless documents need verification or you have exceptional circumstances. Paying for priority service may speed it up.
Once approved, you must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.
You’ll get a decision within 3 weeks unless documents need verification or you have exceptional circumstances. Paying for priority service may speed it up.
Once approved, you must travel to the UK within 6 months of applying.
After you arrive: what the visa allows
The visa lets you live in the UK for up to two years. You may enter and exit freely during this period.
You can:
- Work in most jobs.
- Study (some require an ATAS certificate).
- Be self-employed (with limits: premises rented, equipment under £5,000, no employees).
You cannot:
- Access public funds (benefits).
- Extend the visa.
- Include dependents on your application—they must apply separately.
- Work as a professional sportsperson.
You must return to India after the visa ends unless you get another visa independently.
What if you're not selected for the Youth Mobility Visa UK-India Ballot 2025?
If you are not chosen, your entry is unsuccessful. Results are final. No appeals are allowed.
You may still enter the second (July) ballot if you meet all criteria.
In 2025, there were no further ballots after July. You would have to wait until 2026 to try again.
You may still enter the second (July) ballot if you meet all criteria.
In 2025, there were no further ballots after July. You would have to wait until 2026 to try again.
Quick summary table
TopicDetails
Scheme Name: India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)
2025 Ballot Dates Feb 18–20 & Jul 22–24
Total Places 3,000 in 2025
Eligibility: Indian citizen, 18–30, degree, £2,530, no dependents
Entry Cost Free on GOV.UK
Visa Fee £319
Healthcare Surcharge ~£1,552 for 2 years
Application Deadline: 90 days from email invite
Decision Time: Around 3 weeks
Visa Duration Up to 24 months
Post-Visa Rules Return to India; no extension or public funds
Scheme Name: India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)
2025 Ballot Dates Feb 18–20 & Jul 22–24
Total Places 3,000 in 2025
Eligibility: Indian citizen, 18–30, degree, £2,530, no dependents
Entry Cost Free on GOV.UK
Visa Fee £319
Healthcare Surcharge ~£1,552 for 2 years
Application Deadline: 90 days from email invite
Decision Time: Around 3 weeks
Visa Duration Up to 24 months
Post-Visa Rules Return to India; no extension or public funds
Final tips for applicants
- Enter accurately. Fill in your details carefully. Make sure to match your passport exactly.
- Log your dates. Do not miss the 48-hour ballot window. You’ll lose your chance.
- Gather documents early. Have your qualifications, bank statements, and ID ready.
- Watch the official GOV.UK updates. They post the ballot dates and guidance first.
- Avoid fraud. Only use the government site. Do not pay others to enter or claim you’ll be fast-tracked.
- Be patient. The ballot is random. Not being selected doesn’t reflect on you.
- Be ready to act fast if selected. Gather documents and apply within the 90-day window
Conclusion
The youth mobility visa UK India ballot 2025, also known as the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot 2025, offered a remarkable opportunity for young Indian graduates. It gave them a chance to live, work, and grow in the UK for two years without needing a job offer.
The process required careful planning. Applicants had to check eligibility. They needed to enter the official ballot during a tight window. If selected, they had to apply and submit documents swiftly. Most importantly, everything had to be done via the legitimate GOV.UK portal.
If you missed the ballots in February or July 2025, keep an eye out. The subsequent YPS ballots will likely open in 2026, following the same structure—but dates are to be confirmed on GOV.UK . Stay ready. Stay informed. And best of luck when the next window opens.
The process required careful planning. Applicants had to check eligibility. They needed to enter the official ballot during a tight window. If selected, they had to apply and submit documents swiftly. Most importantly, everything had to be done via the legitimate GOV.UK portal.
If you missed the ballots in February or July 2025, keep an eye out. The subsequent YPS ballots will likely open in 2026, following the same structure—but dates are to be confirmed on GOV.UK . Stay ready. Stay informed. And best of luck when the next window opens.
