Education Journalist | Study Abroad Strategy Lead | Updated On - May 8, 2026
The UK visa lottery — officially called the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) visa — gives Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 the chance to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. There are only 3,000 spots available in 2026, selected entirely at random through a free ballot. Entering the ballot costs nothing. The GBP 340 (approx. INR 43,442) visa fee is only paid after you are selected.
- Total spots in 2026: 3,000 — selected at random
- Ballot 1 dates: 17 to 19 February 2026 (closed)
- Ballot 2 dates: July 2026 (exact dates to be announced on gov.uk)
- Visa fee (after selection only): GBP 340 (approx. INR 43,442)
- Age limit: 18 to 30 years old
- Visa validity: 2 years — no extension possible
The first ballot of 2026 has already closed. If you missed it, the second ballot opens in July 2026. This guide covers everything you need to know — eligibility, how to enter, what happens after selection and what to do if you are not selected.
Also Check:
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- UK Post Study Work Visa 2026: Graduate Route Duration and Rules
What is the UK Visa Lottery?
The UK visa lottery is the informal name for the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) visa, a bilateral agreement between India and the UK that allows Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 to live, work and study in the UK for up to 2 years. Because demand far exceeds the 3,000 available spots, applicants are selected entirely at random through a ballot system — hence the name "lottery."
The scheme was introduced in February 2023 as part of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership. It is separate from the UK student visa and the Skilled Worker visa. You do not need a job offer to apply. You do not need to be a student. You simply need to be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30 with a bachelor's degree or above and at least GBP 2,530 (approx. INR 323,260) in savings.
Key fact: According to the UK Home Office (gov.uk), there are 3,000 places available for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa in 2026. Most places were made available in the first ballot in February. The remaining places will be made available in the second and final ballot in July 2026.
What can you do on the UK visa lottery?
- Work in most full-time or part-time jobs — no employer sponsorship required
- Be self-employed (with limits — rented premises, equipment worth less than GBP 5,000, no employees)
- Study at UK institutions (terms and conditions apply)
- Travel freely in and out of the UK during the 2-year validity
What you cannot do on the UK visa lottery
- Extend your stay beyond 2 years under this visa
- Bring dependent children under 18
- Apply if you have previously held a YPS visa
- Apply if you have previously held a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa
UK Visa Lottery Eligibility Requirements 2026
All eligibility criteria must be met at the time of entering the ballot — not just at the time of applying for the visa. If you enter the ballot and are selected but no longer meet the criteria, your visa application will be refused.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen — Indian passport holders only |
| Age | 18 to 30 years old at the time of entering the ballot |
| Education | Must hold a bachelor's degree or above equivalent to UK standards |
| Savings | At least GBP 2,530 (approx. INR 3,23,260) in your bank account |
| No dependent children | Must not have dependent children under 18 years old |
| No previous YPS visa | Must not have previously held an India Young Professionals Scheme visa |
| No previous YMS visa | Must not have previously held a UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa |
| Valid passport | Must hold a valid Indian passport at the time of application |
Important: The ballot is free to enter. You should only enter if you genuinely plan to apply for the visa and meet all eligibility requirements. Entering the ballot without meeting the criteria wastes a spot and your application will be rejected if selected.
UK Visa Lottery Ballot Dates and Deadlines 2026
There are two ballots for the India Young Professionals Scheme in 2026. The first ballot has already closed. The second ballot opens in July 2026 — exact dates will be published on gov.uk before it opens.
| Ballot | Opening Date | Closing Date | Result Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot 1 (2026) | 17 February 2026 | 19 February 2026 (2:30 PM IST) | Within 2 weeks of closing | Closed |
| Ballot 2 (2026) | July 2026 (TBC) | July 2026 (TBC) | Within 2 weeks of closing | Not yet open |
How many spots are left for Ballot 2?
According to the UK Home Office, most of the 3,000 places were made available in the first ballot in February 2026. The remaining places — likely a few hundred — will be available in the second ballot in July. The exact number of remaining spots is not published in advance. Check gov.uk for the official announcement before the July ballot opens.
How to Enter the UK Visa Lottery Ballot 2026
Entering the ballot is free and takes approximately 10 minutes. You do not pay anything at this stage. The GBP 340 visa fee is only paid after you are selected.
Step-by-step: entering the ballot
- Check eligibility first — confirm you meet all requirements (age, nationality, education, savings, no dependent children, no previous YPS or YMS visa)
- Wait for the ballot to open — monitor gov.uk for the official opening date of Ballot 2 in July 2026
- Visit gov.uk when the ballot opens — go directly to the official UK government website. Do not use third-party websites or agents — the ballot is free and requires no intermediary
- Fill in the application form — provide your name, date of birth, passport number, passport scan or photo, phone number and email address
- Submit — no fee required — the ballot entry is completely free
- Wait for results — results are sent by email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing date
Warning: Multiple entries per person are not counted. If you submit more than one entry, only one will be considered. Any additional attempts will be disregarded. Do not pay anyone to enter the ballot on your behalf — it is free and requires no agent.
What Happens After You Are Selected?
Being selected in the ballot is not the same as receiving the visa. Selection is an invitation to apply. You then have 90 days from the date of the selection email to complete the full visa application.
Timeline after selection
| Step | Action | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Receive selection email from UK Home Office | Within 2 weeks of ballot closing |
| 2 | Apply online for the visa at gov.uk | Within 90 days of selection email |
| 3 | Pay visa application fee — GBP 340 (approx. INR 43,442) | At time of online application |
| 4 | Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | At time of online application — starts from GBP 1,035 (approx. INR 1,32,242) for 2 years |
| 5 | Provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo) | At visa application centre appointment |
| 6 | Receive visa decision | Typically 3 to 8 weeks after biometrics |
If you are selected but choose not to apply for the visa, you do not need to inform the UK Home Office. However, you cannot re-enter a future ballot if you have already been selected once — the scheme is a one-time opportunity per person.
UK Visa Lottery Fees 2026
Conversion: 1 GBP = INR 127.77. Rates change daily — verify before financial planning.
| Fee | Amount (GBP) | Amount (INR approx.) | When Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot entry fee | Free | Free | At ballot entry — no payment required |
| Visa application fee | GBP 340 | INR 43,442 | Only after selection — within 90 days of email |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | GBP 1,035 (2 years) | INR 1,32,242 | At time of visa application |
| Minimum savings required | GBP 2,530 | INR 3,23,260 | Must be in your account — not a fee, proof of funds |
| Total government fees (if selected) | GBP 1,375 | INR 1,75,684 | Visa fee + IHS combined |
Common mistake: Several websites incorrectly state that you pay GBP 319 or GBP 340 to enter the ballot. This is wrong. The ballot is completely free to enter. The GBP 340 visa fee is only paid after you are selected and choose to proceed with the visa application.
What to Do If You Are Not Selected
The ballot results are final. You cannot appeal an unsuccessful result. However, you can re-enter future ballots as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria at the time of each new ballot.
Your options if not selected
- Enter Ballot 2 in July 2026 — if you were not selected in February, you can enter again in July. Note that fewer spots are available in the second ballot
- Enter the 2027 ballots — the scheme runs annually. New ballots open each year, typically in February and July
- Apply for a UK Student Visa — if you are considering studying in the UK, the student visa route has no lottery and no cap on numbers
- Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa — if you have a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsorship licence, the Skilled Worker visa is an alternative route with no ballot
The acceptance rate for the India Young Professionals Scheme is extremely low. With 3,000 spots and an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 applicants per ballot, your odds of selection in any single ballot are approximately 4 to 5%. This is why entering every available ballot is important.
India YPS vs UK Youth Mobility Scheme — What Is the Difference?
Indian nationals are sometimes confused between the India Young Professionals Scheme and the broader UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS). They are different programmes with different eligibility rules.
| Feature | India YPS (UK Visa Lottery) | UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Indian nationals only | Nationals of participating countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Uruguay, Argentina) |
| Age limit | 18 to 30 | 18 to 30 (some countries up to 35) |
| Selection method | Random ballot (lottery) | Random ballot for some countries; direct application for others |
| Spots available | 3,000 per year | Varies by country — typically higher |
| Visa validity | 2 years — no extension | 2 years — no extension |
| Can Indians apply for YMS? | No — India is not a YMS country | Not available to Indian nationals |
Indian nationals cannot apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme. The India Young Professionals Scheme is the only ballot-based UK visa route available to Indian citizens.
Read More: UK Graduate Route Cut to 18 Months from January 2027: What It Means for Indian Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the UK visa lottery?
Ans. The UK visa lottery is the informal name for the India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) visa — a ballot-based visa that gives Indian nationals aged 18 to 30 the chance to live and work in the UK for 2 years. There are 3,000 spots available in 2026, selected entirely at random. Entering the ballot is free.
Ques. How much does it cost to enter the UK visa lottery?
Ans. Entering the ballot is completely free. The GBP 340 (approx. INR 43,442) visa fee is only paid after you are selected and choose to proceed with the visa application. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of GBP 1,035 (approx. INR 1,32,242) for 2 years at the time of application.
Ques. When is the next UK visa lottery ballot in 2026?
Ans. The second and final ballot of 2026 opens in July 2026. The exact dates will be published on gov.uk before the ballot opens. The first ballot (17 to 19 February 2026) has already closed.
Ques. What are the eligibility requirements for the UK visa lottery?
Ans. You must be an Indian citizen aged 18 to 30, hold a bachelor's degree or above, have at least GBP 2,530 (approx. INR 3,23,260) in savings, have no dependent children under 18 and have not previously held a YPS or Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate for the UK visa lottery?
Ans. With 3,000 spots and an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 applicants per ballot, the acceptance rate is approximately 4 to 5% per ballot. The results are final — you cannot appeal an unsuccessful outcome but can re-enter future ballots.
Ques. Can I extend the UK visa lottery beyond 2 years?
Ans. No. The India Young Professionals Scheme visa cannot be extended. After 2 years you must leave the UK or switch to a different visa category such as the Skilled Worker visa if you have a qualifying job offer.
Ques. What can I do on the UK visa lottery?
Ans. You can work in most full-time or part-time jobs without employer sponsorship, be self-employed with limited conditions and study at UK institutions. You cannot bring dependent children under 18 or extend your stay beyond 2 years.
Ques. Is the UK visa lottery the same as the Youth Mobility Scheme?
Ans. No. The India Young Professionals Scheme is a separate bilateral programme for Indian nationals only. The Youth Mobility Scheme is a broader programme for nationals of other countries. Indian nationals cannot apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Ques. What happens if I am not selected in the UK visa lottery?
Ans. The result is final and cannot be appealed. You can re-enter the next ballot (July 2026) or future annual ballots as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria. You can also explore the UK student visa or Skilled Worker visa as alternative routes.
Ques. How long does the UK visa lottery visa take to process?
Ans. After selection, you have 90 days to apply for the visa. Once you submit your biometrics, the visa decision typically takes 3 to 8 weeks. The ballot result itself is sent within 2 weeks of the ballot closing date.
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