The UK Government has confirmed the opening dates for the next India Young Professionals Scheme (IYPS) ballot 2026, setting out when eligible Indian citizens can register for a chance to apply for this highly sought-after UK visa.
The ballot system remains a mandatory first step. Anyone hoping to apply under the scheme in 2026 needs to be selected through the ballot before they can submit a visa application. With demand continuing to far exceed supply, the announcement of the ballot window is a key moment for prospective applicants.
When the 2026 ballot will open and close
The next India Young Professionals Scheme ballot will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 17 February 2026 and will close at 2:30pm India Standard Time on 19 February 2026.
Applicants can enter the ballot at any point while it is open. There is no advantage to entering early or late within the window. Once the ballot closes, entries cannot be amended or added, and any errors in the information submitted cannot be corrected.
How the ballot system works
The India Young Professionals Scheme does not allow direct applications. Instead, eligible applicants first enter a ballot, and places are allocated at random. Being eligible does not increase the likelihood of selection, and the strength of an applicant’s qualifications or work history plays no role at this stage.
Ballot entry is free, and each person can submit only one entry per ballot. Duplicate entries are automatically disregarded. Successful entries are notified by email within two weeks of the ballot closing date. Unsuccessful applicants are not provided with feedback and have no right of appeal.
How many places are available in 2026
There are 3,000 places available under the India Young Professionals Scheme in 2026.
Most of these places will be released through the February ballot. Any remaining places will be made available through a second and final ballot later in the year, with the timing confirmed separately by the Home Office. This structure follows the approach taken in previous years.
What happens if you are selected
Applicants selected in the ballot are invited to proceed to the visa application stage. Selection does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. It simply allows the applicant to apply.
From the date of the invitation email, applicants have 90 days to submit their visa application, pay the relevant fees and provide biometric information. The current visa application fee is £319, and applicants also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the full two-year period.
If an applicant does not apply within the 90-day window, the opportunity is lost and the place is not held or transferred to a future ballot.
What the ballot does not do
A common misconception is that being selected in the ballot confirms eligibility. It does not. Eligibility is assessed only at the visa application stage. Applicants still need to show that they meet all of the scheme’s requirements, including age limits, qualification level, English language ability, financial evidence and suitability checks. Applications can be refused after selection if these requirements are not met or if evidence is incomplete.
Why preparation matters
The India Young Professionals Scheme is consistently oversubscribed. Many applicants who meet the criteria are not selected simply because demand exceeds the number of available places.
For those who are selected, the 90-day application window can pass quickly. Waiting until selection to start gathering documents often creates unnecessary pressure and increases the risk of mistakes. Ensuring that passports, qualifications, financial evidence and test results are ready in advance can make the application stage far more manageable.
If you are not selected
Applicants who are not selected in the February ballot can enter the second ballot later in the year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Others may choose to explore alternative UK visa routes, depending on their circumstances and longer-term plans.
A competitive route with limited places
The confirmation of the February 2026 ballot dates gives prospective applicants a clear timeframe to work towards. However, the underlying reality of the scheme has not changed. Selection is competitive, places are limited and the ballot only opens the door to an application, not an automatic visa.
For applicants considering the India Young Professionals Scheme, understanding the process, the risks and the deadlines in advance remains key to making informed decisions about whether and how to apply.
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
