From today (28 February), young professionals from India and the
UK can apply to live, study, travel and work for up to two years
in each other’s country, the UK government has announced.
The first of its kind, the reciprocal Young Professionals Scheme
is a new opportunity granting Indian and UK nationals a chance to
benefit from new cultural experiences and inject expertise into
both economies.
Indian nationals eligible for the scheme can now enter a 48 hour
ballot free of charge from which 2,400 randomly selected
applicants will then be invited to submit their visa
applications. Those eligible to apply must be between 18 and 30,
be an Indian national and hold a degree. A further ballot will be
held later in the year.
Interested eligible British nationals do not need to apply
through a ballot process and are welcome to apply to the Young
Professionals Scheme at any time.
The UK encourages young professionals from both countries to
experience each other’s nations and participate in this cultural
exchange.
Immigration Minister said:
The Young Professionals Scheme is a unique opportunity for
British and Indian graduates to experience the richness of a new
culture and way of life while building their professional
experience and expertise. This new scheme illustrates the
importance of our relationship with India and will bring great
benefits to both countries.
I encourage young professionals from India and the UK who want to
share their skills and talents to apply.
The Young Professionals Scheme highlights the strength of the
UK-India economic and cultural relationship and is a key part of
the UK-India Mobility and Migration Partnership, which was signed
in May 2021.
As well as the Young Professionals Scheme, the Partnership
includes a range of commitments to enhance arrangements on
migration issues such as measures to strengthen our ability to
remove immigration offenders and ensure greater co-operation
around organised immigration crime.
