On February 28, 2023, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched the Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), a section of the India-UK Migration and Mobility Partnership / India-UK young professional scheme
Under the YPS the UK presents Indian nationals between the age of 18 and 30 years to live and work in the UK for the most duration of two years. India additionally has a similar facility to the British underneath under the YPS.
Indian Nationals and the YPS
According to the UK Home Office’s data for the period of 12 months ending June 2022, India surpassed China as the country that sends the largest number of students to the UK. This shows that young Indians are eager to pursue education and opportunities in the UK.
Under the YPS, the UK will issue 3000 visas each year to qualified Indian nationals who have at least a bachelor’s degree. To apply under the scheme from India, the applicants need to enter a ballot. The first ballot was held by the British High Commission, New Delhi on February 28, 2023, when they made available the first set of 2400 visas to Indian nationals.
The ballot software requires simple non-public data about the applicant together with the given name, ultimate name, passport number, email ID, and contact number. A clear scanned copy of the applicant’s passport needs to be uploaded to the portal along with these details.
The result of the ballot entry is emailed to the applicant within two weeks after the ballot closes. The decision of candidates is based totally on a resolution selection process or lottery. The selected applicants receive an ‘invitation to apply’ for the visa.
In case the applicant is issued a visa he or she should enter the UK within six months of the date on which the visa was once. Once in the UK, the applicant can:
Study – for positive diploma packages such as post-graduation or lookup in touchy subjects in the UK an additional certificate under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) needs to be applied before starting the course or research/ India-UK young professional scheme.
Work for positive jobs (details about this are no longer available)
Be self-employed, set up an enterprise in rented premises have no personnel and the equipment to run the enterprise is now not really worth more than £5,000.
British Nationals and the YPS
The High Commission of India in the UK is responsible for processing visa applications under the YPS program, which allows UK nationals to enter India for up to 24 months. To apply, UK nationals must submit their application online through the designated service provider, VFS Global. The eligibility criteria for UK nationals are the same as for Indian nationals, and the visa fee is £720.
Once the visa is issued, the applicant may travel to India, but within 14 days of arrival, UK nationals must register with the appropriate Foreigners Regional Registration Office/ Foreigners Registration Office (FRO).
UK national applicants must apply for an E-1 visa and specify the purpose as the “India-UK YPS Programme.” If the applicant has an offer letter to work in India, they should include details about the employer in their application.
Overall, the India-UK YPS aims to promote collaboration and exchange between the two countries and support the Indo-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations. It provides an excellent opportunity for the youth of both nations to explore opportunities across borders.