The UK government has announced the second and final ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) visa will start on 21 July 2026, offering qualified Indian citizens another chance to apply for the two-year visa programme.
In an update issued on July 14, the UK government said the poll will stay open until July 23, 2026, and the successful applicants will be picked by random selection method.
The ballot will be open from 1:30 pm India Standard Time (IST) on July 21 and will finish at 1:30 pm IST on July 23.
Eligible applicants will be able to apply any time throughout this period, through the official ballot link that will be published on the UK government’s India Young Professionals Scheme page.
India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) Visa 2026
The India Young Professionals Scheme will allow qualifying Indian nationals to come to the UK to live, work and study for up to two years.
Those intending to apply under the plan need to enter the poll.
This guidance describes how to apply for an India Young Professionals Scheme visa by entering the ballot and how the ballot system works.
South Asians and the Diaspora
India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot Opens on July 21
To obtain a visa for the India Young Professionals Scheme you have to enter a lottery.
The next ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme will open at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 21 July 2026 and finish at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 23 July 2026.
Voting is allowed at any time on the ballot.
The link to get into the ballot will be on this page (Click Here).
Put Your Name in the Hat
If you are a citizen of India, and are eligible for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa then you can join the ballot.
Before entering the ballot check if you are eligible for the visa.
You will need to supply:
- your name
- date of birth
- your passport information
- a scan or photograph of your passport
- your phone
- your e-mail address
How Successful Ballot Entries Are Selected
Successful ballot entries will be selected at random.
Results will be emailed to you within 2 weeks of the closing date of the ballot.
All are free to enter the ballot.
Only enter if you:
- want to apply for the visa which costs £340.
- meet all the eligibility requirements of the visa, for example having a qualifying qualification and enough money to sustain yourself.
3,000 India Young Professionals Scheme Visa Places Available
3,000 spots are available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2026.
Most slots were filled in the first ballot in February.
The remaining seats will be released in the second and final round later in July.
Only one entry per individual is allowed per ballot.
No additional attempts to enter will be counted.
Winning Submissions
If you are lucky in the ballot you will be invited to apply for a visa.
You can, within 90 days of the date of the email:
- apply visa online
- pay the visa application fee and immigration health surcharge
- supply your fingerprints and photo (biometric information)
If you are successful in the poll and decide not to apply for the visa, you do not need to inform us.
Failed Submissions
The result of the ballot is definitive.
If you are unsuccessful you cannot appeal.
If you are unsuccessful you can enter future ballots so long as you still match the criteria for eligibility.
Conclusion
The UK government has opened the final India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) ballot for 2026, giving eligible Indian citizens another opportunity to secure a two-year visa to live, work and study in the UK. Interested applicants should ensure they meet all eligibility requirements and submit their ballot entry before the deadline. Since successful entries are selected randomly, applicants are encouraged to complete their submission within the official ballot period.