You can apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa if you:

• want to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years
• are aged 18 to 30
• have £2,530 in savings
• have certain types of British Nationality or are from certain countries or territories listed in the eligibility requirements

This visa has replaced the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5).

How long it takes

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you travel.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

How much it costs

You will need to:

• pay the application fee
• pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £470 per year – you can check how much you’ll have to pay
• prove you have enough personal savings – check how much in the eligibility requirements

Application fee

The application fee is £259.

How long you can stay

You’ll be given a visa to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months.

You can enter the UK at any time while your visa is valid, and leave and come back at any time during your stay.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• study – for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate
• work in most jobs
• be self-employed and set up a company – as long as your premises are rented, your equipment is not worth more than £5,000 and you do not have any employees

You cannot:

• work as a professional sportsperson (for example as a coach)
• extend your stay
• get public funds
• bring in family members on your application – they must apply separately
  

  Eligibility

  To be eligible for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa you must:

  • be an Indian national or citizen between 18 and 30 years old
  • be at least 18 years old on the date you plan to travel to the UK
  • have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)
  • have £2,530 in savings to support yourself in the UK
  • not have any children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you’re financially responsible for

  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 this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

  Eligible qualifications

  You must have either:

  • a qualification at UK bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8)
  • an equivalent overseas qualification at degree level or above

  Check with your college or university if you’re not sure what level of qualification you have.

  Money to support yourself

  You must have at least £2,530 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK.

  You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.

  You’ll need to show proof of this when you apply.

  Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

  Documents you must provide

  When you apply you’ll need to provide:

  • a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
  • evidence that you have at least £2,530 in your bank account, for example bank statements
  • evidence of your qualifications
  • your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re living in India or another listed country
  • a police report or clearance certificate from India – check how to apply for criminal records checks

  You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

  Evidence of your qualifications

  You will be asked to prove that you have a qualification at bachelor’s degree level or above (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6, 7 or 8).

  Your college or university will need to provide written confirmation that you:

  • completed your studies
  • graduated with the required qualification

  Other documents you might need

  If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

  You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. The Home Office will contact you if you need to provide more evidence.

  Apply

  You must be successfully selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme before you can apply for your visa.

  Proving your identity and supporting documents

  As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

  You’ll either:

  • have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
  • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

  You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

  If you do need an appointment:

  • the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
  • you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

  Apply for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa

  You can only apply if you’ve been successful in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot and received an invitation to apply.

  This page will be updated when the application form is available.

  How long it takes to get a decision

  Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

  You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

  You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

  After you apply

  You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

  You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

  If you have a child while you’re in the UK

  If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

  You must apply online for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

  You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.