28 February 2023
by Gemma Tracey (née Wylie)
Latitude Law
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Almost two years ago (!), on 04 May 2021, the UK governmentannounced that the UK and India had signed a new migrationpartnership, enabling young Indian and British professionals tolive and work in one another's countries. The UK governmentsaid that signing the agreement was 'part of the UKGovernment's commitment to deliver an immigration system thatattracts the best and brightest individuals from India and aroundthe world'.
The scheme forms part of the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme; itis not a route that leads to settlement, but 'provides acultural exchange programme that allows a person aged between 18and 30, from participating countries and territories, to experiencelife in the UK for up to 2 years'.
Provisions in relation to Indian nationals travelling to the UKas Youth Mobility Scheme migrants were introduced into theImmigration Rules in 2022, with India being allocated 3,000 placesfor the scheme in that year. However, failure by the Home Office toopen the ballot for places meant that Indian nationals had no wayof being invited to the scheme and actually securing a visa!
In addition to being aged between 18 and 30, Indian nationalslooking to temporarily relocate to the UK under the Youth MobilityScheme need to have an invitation to apply under the scheme via theballot, have an eligible qualification (degree level or above),access to £2530 in savings, and not have any children underthe age of 18 who live with them.
Guidance available online confirms that, to secure aninvitation, Indian nationals need to enter the India YoungProfessionals Scheme ballot. On 21 February 2023 information aboutthe ballot was released, almost two years after the UK-Indiaagreement was made. It confirms that the inaugural Indian ballotwill open at 2.30pm (IST) on 28 February 2023, and will close at2.30pm (IST) on 02 March 2023. Those who enter the ballot mustfirst check that they qualify for the scheme. When the ballot isopen, the link to enter will appear on the following webpage.
There will be in initial 2,400 invitations available to eligibleIndian nationals in the February 2023 ballot. If successful insecuring an invitation, an applicant will then have 30 days toapply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. If the application issuccessful, a visa valid for 24 months will be issued. Those whohold a Youth Mobility Scheme visa can live and work in the UK, andcan switch into an alternative category of the Immigration Rules(perhaps a route that leads to settlement, such as the SkilledWorker route) from inside the UK if the requirements of that routecan be satisfied.
Unfortunately, if not successful in securing an invitation, anappeal cannot be pursued; the results of the ballot are final. Anindividual in such circ*mstances could, however, enter a futureballot if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements for aYouth Mobility Scheme visa. The next ballot is likely to be held inlate July.
The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circ*mstances.
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