Detailed Guide to India Young Professionals Scheme Visa for UK (2025)

Summary: India Young Professionals Scheme Visa​

 

Program Overview

• Name: Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)
• Duration: Up to 2 years (24 months)
• Purpose: Foster people-to-people ties, exchange skills, and promote bilateral relations between India and the UK

Key Eligibility & Requirements

• Age: 18-30 years old
• Nationality: Indian citizen
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Maintenance Funds: £2,530 (for at least 28 consecutive days)

Application Process & Fees

• Steps: Online application, document upload, biometric appointment, and submission
• Fees: £756 (application) + £470 (Immigration Health Surcharge) + other optional/potential fees

Rights & Restrictions in the UK

• Work: Permitted in most sectors, except as a professional sportsperson/coach or doctor/dentist in training (without passing UK exams)
• Study: Allowed, but not as the main reason for stay
• Public Funds: Not eligible
• Dependents: Generally not allowed, except in very limited circumstances

Post-Arrival in the UK

• Employment: Can seek employment in eligible sectors
• Accommodation & Living: Responsible for finding own housing and managing living costs
• Healthcare: Access to NHS through Immigration Health Surcharge; additional insurance recommended

 

Table of Contents

1. Program Overview
2. Eligibility Criteria
3. Required Documents
4. Application Process
5. Fees and Costs
6. Processing Time
7. Rights and Restrictions in the UK
8. Employment and Career Development
9. Accommodation and Living in the UK
10. Healthcare and Insurance
11. Dependents and Family
12. Renewal, Extension, and Settlement
13. Common FAQs
14. Useful Resources

1. Program Overview

• Name: Young Professionals Scheme (YPS)
• Duration: Up to 2 years (24 months)
• Purpose: To foster people-to-people ties, enable the exchange of skills and expertise, and promote bilateral relations between India and the UK.
• Reciprocity: Part of a reciprocal agreement, with a similar scheme for UK nationals in India.
• Age Focus: Open to individuals aged between 18 and 30 years.

 

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
• Nationality: Be a citizen of India.
• Education: Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Postdoc) from a recognized institution.
• Maintenance Funds: Have at least £2,530 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the date of your application.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Required for applicants from certain regions in India. Check the UK Government’s website for the latest list of countries.
• Criminal Record Certificate: May be required for certain professions or if specifically requested during the application process.
• Intent to Return: You must intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay.

 

3. Required Documents

• Valid Indian Passport: With at least six months’ validity from the date of entry into the UK.
• Qualification Certificates: Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from your university.
• Proof of Maintenance Funds:
• Bank statement showing at least £2,530.
• The statement must be dated and on the official headed paper of the bank.
• Online statements are accepted if they meet specific criteria.
• TB Test Result (if applicable): From an approved test centre.
• Criminal Record Certificate (if required): Issued by the relevant Indian authorities.
• Recent Passport-Sized Photographs: One or more, depending on the application requirements.
• Biometric Data: Fingerprint scans at a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application centre.

 

4. Application Process

Step 1: Online Application

• Access the Official UK Government Website:
• Navigate to www.gov.uk and find the Young Professionals Scheme application page.
• Application Form:
• Fill Out the Application Form:
• Provide accurate, detailed information as requested.
• Ensure all fields are completed to avoid delays.
• Application Fee Payment:
• Current Fee: £756 (Subject to change; always check the official UK Government website for the latest fees).
• Payment Methods: Online payment through the UK Government’s website.
• Form Submission:
• Review and Submit: Double-check your application form for accuracy before submission.

Step 2: Document Upload

1. Required Documents:
• Valid Indian Passport
• Qualification Certificates (Bachelor’s degree or higher)
• Transcripts
• Proof of Maintenance Funds (£2,530 for at least 28 consecutive days)
• TB Test Result (if applicable)
• Criminal Record Certificate (if required)
• Recent Passport-Sized Photographs
2. Document Formatting:
• Check the UKVI Website for Specific Requirements:
• File format (e.g., PDF)
• Size limits
• Resolution for photographs
3. Upload Documents to the UKVI Online Platform:
• Create/Login to Your Account:
• Ensure you have an account on the UKVI platform.
• Upload with Care:
• Double-check each document for accuracy and completeness before uploading.

Step 3: Biometric Data Appointment

1. UKVI Application Centres in India:
• Find Your Nearest Centre: Use the UK Government’s website to locate a centre.
• Book Your Appointment:
• Schedule: Choose a date and time that suits you.
• Confirmation: Receive an appointment confirmation.
2. Biometric Data Collection:
• Fingerprint Scans:
• Required for Your Application: Ensure your presence at the appointment.
• Photograph:
• Taken During the Appointment: For application processing.

Step 4: Submission and Tracking

1. Online Submission:
• Finalize Your Application:
• After uploading documents and attending the biometric appointment.
2. Tracking Your Application:
• Reference Number:
• Provided after submitting your application.
• Status Updates:
• Check Application Status:
• Use the reference number to track the status.

Additional Tips for a Smooth Application Process

• Double-Check Requirements:
• Ensure all documents are correctly formatted and required.
• Application Submission:
• Confirm your application is complete before submission.
• Biometric Appointment:
• Prepare for your appointment by reviewing the required documents.

5. Fees and Costs

• Application Fee: Currently £756 (check for updates).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Approximately £470 for a 2-year visa (subject to change).
• Priority Service Fee (Optional): For faster processing (within 5 working days), the fee varies by location.
• TB Test and Certificate Fees: Vary by test centre.
• Travel and Accommodation Costs for Biometric Appointment: Vary depending on location.

 

6. Processing Time

• Standard Service: Up to 3 weeks, but can vary.
• Priority Service (Additional Fee): Within 5 working days from the biometric appointment date.

 

7. Rights and Restrictions in the UK

 

A. Work: Permitted in most sectors, except:

1. As a Professional Sportsperson or Coach:

• Restriction Reason: This is to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of UK sports. Allowing visa holders to work as professional sportspeople or coaches could potentially disrupt the sport's professional landscape.

• Exceptions: None are explicitly mentioned here, but in practice, some visas (e.g., Tier 2 Sportsperson) are designed for elite sportspeople and coaches. If you're a professional in sports, you'd need to apply for the appropriate visa that aligns with your profession.

• Impact: If you're interested in participating in sports in the UK, you can still do so at an amateur level. However, any form of payment (beyond expenses) for sports activities would likely violate this term.

2. In a Job that Involves Working as a Doctor or Dentist in Training (unless you’ve passed the relevant exams):

• Restriction Reason: This is largely due to the specialized nature of these professions and the need for practitioners to meet specific UK standards for patient safety and care quality.

• Exceptions: If you've already passed the relevant exams (e.g., PLAB for doctors or ORE for dentists), you're eligible to work in these roles. These exams ensure your qualifications are recognized in the UK.

• Impact: For medical and dental professionals, this means you can work in other healthcare roles (e.g., research, non-clinical positions) but not in training posts leading to UK registration without first passing the requisite exams.

B. Study: Allowed, but if study is the main reason, you should apply for a Student visa.

• Key Points:

• Permitted Study: You can engage in study, but there's an implicit limit to the extent or primary purpose of your stay in the UK.

• Main Reason for Stay: If studying is the primary reason for your presence in the UK, the terms of this visa are being violated, and you should have applied for a Student visa instead.

• Incidental Study: Typically, this means you can take short courses, workshops, or even part-time degrees as long as they are not the main purpose of your UK stay.

• Impact: Be prepared to justify the study as secondary to your primary visa purpose if questioned. Keeping records of your primary activities (work, volunteering, etc.) can help support your case.

C. Public Funds: Not eligible.

• What are Public Funds?

• Public funds refer to benefits provided by the UK government to support individuals in various situations, including but not limited to:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

• Certain types of pension credit

• Implications:

• Eligibility: You cannot claim these benefits.

• Consequences of Claiming: If found to have claimed public funds erroneously, it could lead to your visa being curtailed (shortened) or, in severe cases, future visa applications being negatively impacted.

• Alternatives for Support:

• Employer Support: Negotiate with your employer for support, especially if facing hardship due to visa restrictions.

• Charitable Organizations: Some charities offer support for migrants and foreigners facing hardship.

D. Dependents: Typically not allowed, except in very limited circumstances.

• Definition of Dependents:

• Dependents usually refer to:

• Spouse

• Unmarried partner (in some cases, with specific requirements)

• Children under a certain age (often 18, but can vary)

• Implications:

• General Rule: You cannot bring dependents with this visa category, implying you must meet the criteria for a different visa to have your dependents join you.

• Exceptions: Very limited circumstances might include:

• Human rights considerations

• Extreme compassionate grounds

• Specific family visa categories that explicitly allow dependents

• Alternatives for Dependents:

• Apply for a Relevant Visa: If moving to the UK together is a priority, the dependent would need to apply for their own visa (e.g., family visa) that matches their relationship to you and meets the UK's immigration rules.

• Note: Meeting the rules for a family visa can be complex, especially regarding financial requirements and relationship proofs.

8. Employment and Career Development

• Job Searching: You can enter the UK to seek employment.
• Employment Types: Can work in any eligible sector, including part-time, full-time, and freelance work.
• Career Development: Opportunities for professional growth and networking.

 

9. Accommodation and Living in the UK

• Finding Accommodation: Research and secure housing before or upon arrival in the UK.
• Living Costs: Vary significantly across different regions; plan accordingly.
• Cultural Integration: Opportunities to engage with UK culture and communities.

 

10. Healthcare and Insurance

• National Health Service (NHS) Access: Through the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Additional Insurance: Recommended for non-NHS covered services or private healthcare preferences.

 

11. Dependents and Family

• General Rule: Dependents are not allowed to join you under this scheme.
• Exceptions: Very limited; typically only in cases of extreme circumstances, and with prior approval.

 

12. Renewal, Extension, and Settlement

• Renewal/Extension: Not possible under the Young Professionals Scheme. The scheme is for a single, continuous period of up to 2 years.
• Settlement: This visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. After the visa expires, you must leave the UK unless you’ve applied for a different, eligible visa.

 

13. Common FAQs

• Q: Can I work part-time while looking for a full-time job?
• A: Yes, you can work part-time in eligible sectors.
• Q: Are dependents allowed?
• A: Generally, no, except in very limited circumstances.
• Q: Can I extend my Young Professionals Scheme visa?
• A: No, this visa is for a single, continuous period of up to 2 years.

 

14. Useful Resources

• Official UK Government Website: For the latest visa policy updates (gov.uk).
• UKVI Application Centres in India: For biometric appointments.
• UK Healthcare and Insurance Guidance: For understanding NHS access and additional insurance needs.
• UK Accommodation and Living Guides: For navigating housing and living situation in the UK.