The UK offers the India Youth Professionals Scheme (IYPS) visa through a ballot system for various countries. The YMS visa allows individuals aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. The next ballot is expected to open in July 2024.
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UK Ballot Visa Apply
The United Kingdom offers the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) visa through a ballot system, enabling Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to reside, work, or study in the UK for up to two years.
In 2024, 3000 places are available, with most awarded during the February ballot, and the remainder granted in the July ballot.
To enter the ballot, eligible Indian citizens need to provide their name, date of birth, passport details, phone number, and email address. Successful entries will be chosen at random and notified by email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing.
Eligibility for UK Ballot Visa
Eligibility criteria for the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS) visa:
Basic requirements:
- Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen.
- Age: You must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
- Qualification: You must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized institution.
- Financial requirements: You must have at least £2,530 in your savings available for at least 28 days before applying.
- Work experience: You must have at least 3 years of work experience in a skilled occupation.
- Travel purpose: You must intend to live and work full-time in the UK for a maximum of 2 years.
- Criminal record: You must not have any significant criminal convictions.
- You must not have already been granted an IYPS visa before.
- You must not have any dependent children under the age of 18 who live with you or who you’re financially responsible for.
- You must meet the English language requirement – currently Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Applying for a UK Ballot Visa
Process for both the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) and the India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS):
The Ballot
- Check Eligibility: Verify you meet the specific requirements for the desired scheme.
- Ballot Dates: Know the designated ballot opening and closing dates for your chosen scheme:
- IYPS: Opens twice a year in February and July.
- Enter the Ballot: During the designated period, submit your details online through the official government website.Be prepared with required information like name, date of birth, passport details, etc.
- Selection: Shortlisted applicants are randomly chosen through the ballot system. Be patient and wait for notification results within the specified timeframe.
Applying for the Visa (If Selected)
- Invitation to Apply: If selected, you’ll receive an email with instructions to formally apply for the visa within a limited time frame (typically 90 days).
- Online Application: Complete the online application form on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website,providing detailed information and uploading required documents.
- Visa Fee & Immigration Health Surcharge: Pay the necessary visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge online.
- Biometrics Appointment: Schedule an appointment at a designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph.
Visa Decision and Entry
- Decision Waiting Time: Allow the UKVI sufficient time to process your application, typically within 3 weeks from your VAC appointment.
- Visa Outcome: You’ll receive notification of the visa decision via email. Upon approval, collect your passport with the visa from the VAC or chosen delivery option.
- Entry to the UK: You have a specific window (usually 90 days) to enter the UK under the granted visa conditions.
UK Ballot Visa Application Dates
The current application dates for UK Ballot visa are:
- The current ballot is open and will close on February 22, 2024.
- You can still enter the ballot until the closing date.
- The next ballot opening date is expected to be in July 2024. An official announcement hasn’t been made yet.
How long does it take to process the UK Ballot visa?
The processing time for a UK-India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS) visa application can vary depending on several factors, but here’s a general breakdown:
After your application:
- Decision Time: Once you’ve submitted your application, completed biometric enrollment, and provided all required documents, the typical processing time to receive a decision is 3 weeks.
Overall Timeline:
- Ballot Selection: Remember, you first need to be selected in the IYPS ballot before applying for the visa. The results of the current February ballot will be announced within 2 weeks of its closing date (February 22nd, 2024).
- Formal Application: If selected, you’ll have a limited period (typically 90 days) to formally apply for the visa.
- Processing: Then, factor in the 3-week processing time after submitting your application.
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