India Young Professionals Scheme 2024

Source- This post on the India Young Professionals Scheme 2024 has been created based on the article “UK announces second ballot for India Young Professional Scheme 2024”  published in “Economic Times” on 17 July 2024.

The UK Home Office has detailed the second and final ballot of 2024 for the India Young Professional Scheme.

About the Young Professional Scheme

1. It is part of an India-U.K. Migration and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021, announced at the G20 summit in Bali in November.

2. It was formally launched in February 2023.

3. Purpose: Allows up to 3,000 degree-holding citizens aged 18 to 30 from India and the UK to live and work in each other’s countries for two years.

4. Significance: India is the first visa-national country to benefit from this scheme.

5. Eligibility:

i) Indian citizens aged 18-30 years.

ii) Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

iii) Must have £2,530 in savings.

iv) Must not have children under 18 living with or financially supported by them.

v) Must be selected in the India Young Professionals Scheme ballot before applying.

vi) Ineligible if previously in the UK under this scheme or the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

6. Validity:

i) It allows Indian citizens to live and work in the UK for up to two years.

ii) Entry to the UK can be at any time while the visa is valid, with the freedom to leave and return during the stay.

iii) Visa holders must enter the UK within six months of issuance.

7. Opportunities:

i) Applicants can pursue degree programs, including post-graduate studies or research in sensitive subjects. For these, an additional certificate under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is required before beginning the course or research.

ii) Applicants are permitted to work in most jobs.

iii)  Applicants can start their own business, provided the premises are rented, the equipment is valued at no more than £5,000, and they do not have any employees.

UPSC Syllabus: International Relations & Institutions