India Young Professionals Scheme UK Ballot Dates in July 2026
The second and final India Young Professionals Scheme ballot for 2026 opens at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 21 July 2026 and closes at 1:30pm India Standard Time on 23 July 2026.
Entries can be submitted at any point while the ballot window is open.
The official entry link is available on the GOV.UK ballot page while the ballot remains open.
Who can enter the ballot?
An individual can enter the ballot if they are an Indian citizen and meet the eligibility requirements for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa.
Applicants should check eligibility before entering. The ballot does not assess eligibility and selection does not override the visa rules. Entering the ballot without meeting the requirements leads only to refusal at the application stage.
Information required to enter the ballot
To submit a valid ballot entry, applicants are required to provide:
a. full name
b. date of birth
c. passport details
d. a scan or photograph of the passport
e. phone number
f. email address
Only one entry per person per ballot is permitted. Any duplicate entries are automatically disregarded and not entered into the selection process.
What happens after the ballot closes?
Successful entries are selected at random. The ballot does not assess qualifications, funds or intention to leave, these are assessed only at the visa application stage.
Ballot results are issued by email within two weeks of the ballot closing date.
Entering the ballot is free. However, applicants should only enter if they genuinely intend to apply for the visa and are prepared to meet the full cost and evidential requirements.
The current visa application fee is £340, in addition to the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Successful entrants have 90 days from the invitation email to complete the visa application process.
Applicants who do not apply within that period will see their invitation to apply expire.
Number of places available in 2026
Under the India Young Professional Scheme, 3,000 places in total are available in 2026.
Most of these places were released in the February ballot, with the remaining places being made available through this second and final ballot in July.
What if you are successful?
Applicants selected in the ballot are notified by email and have 90 days from the date of the invitation email to:
a. submit an online visa application
b. pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
c. provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph
Applicants who decide not to proceed after being selected are not required to notify the Home Office.
What if you are unsuccessful?
Ballot results are final. There is no appeal or review mechanism for unsuccessful entries.
If you are not selected, you can still enter future ballots, provided you remain eligible for the route, or you may consider alternative visa options and immigration routes.
DMS Perspective
The ballot only offers a narrow window in which to apply, and then if successful, you have to work a strict timeframe to compile and submit the full application.
Remember also the ballot selection only affords the opportunity to apply, and does not reduce application scrutiny or relax the visa requirements at the application stage. Your application will need to be comprehensive and complete to be successful.
| India Young Professionals Scheme At A Glance | 2026 Process |
|---|---|
| Ballot dates | 21 July 2026 to 23 July 2026 |
| Ballot opening and closing time | 1:30pm India Standard Time |
| Status of ballot | Second and final ballot of 2026 |
| Who can enter | Indian citizens who meet the India Young Professionals Scheme visa eligibility requirements |
| Cost to enter the ballot | Free |
| Visa application fee | £340 plus the Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Total places available | 3,000 places in 2026 |
| Places available in this ballot | The remaining places following the February 2026 ballot |
| Selection method | Random ballot selection |
| Ballot result timeframe | Within two weeks of the ballot closing |
| Time to apply if selected | 90 days from the date of the invitation email |
| Number of permitted entries | One entry per person for this ballot |
| Right of appeal if unsuccessful | No |
Need Assistance?
If you are planning to enter the second and final India Young Professionals Scheme ballot for 2026, a fixed-fee telephone consultation can confirm whether you meet the visa requirements before you submit your entry.
Our advisers can help identify potential eligibility issues, confirm that the required evidence is available and reduce the risk of refusal after selection. If you receive an invitation to apply, we can also advise on preparing and submitting the visa application within the 90-day deadline.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in the ballot may still have other UK immigration options available depending on their circumstances. During a fixed-fee telephone consultation, one of our UK immigration lawyers can assess your objectives, explain any suitable alternatives and help you decide the most appropriate route to the UK.
Contact us to book a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our UK immigration legal advisers.
