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Business Standard
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India-UK deal clears visa path for Indians chasing UK jobs: Explained
India and the United Kingdom on Wednesday signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes provisions to make business mobility easier for professionals, investors, and service suppliers moving between the two countries. While the deal does not introduce any new visa categories, it guarantees continued access to existing routes—bringing more predictability for Indian workers already in the UK or those planning to move. 'This agreement locks in access for short-term business travel into India and the UK,' the British government said. 'UK businesses and professionals now have a guarantee that existing access to the Indian market will continue.' The agreement confirms visa routes for categories such as intra-corporate transferees, graduate trainees, investors, and independent professionals, though all movement remains temporary and subject to UK immigration rules. It also stresses on the UK's right to modify thresholds such as salary, sponsorship, and visa conditions. What does it mean for Indian professionals? For Indian workers in the UK or those hoping to move, the biggest advantage is predictability. The FTA guarantees that skilled workers can continue to apply under existing routes, including the Global Business Mobility (GBM) scheme, which in 2024 granted over 25,000 visas worldwide. A key provision guarantees that Indian workers under the intra-corporate transfer route—those working for Indian companies with branches in the UK—will be allowed to stay for at least three years, even if UK immigration policy changes. At present, they can stay up to five years, or nine if they meet the higher salary band. Those on the graduate trainee path, or senior staff sent to set up a UK branch, are also covered under the deal, as are self-employed professionals with contracts in listed sectors. Indian service suppliers in engineering, architecture, and accounting already had access under WTO rules, but the FTA expands that list. A quota of 1,800 per year has been introduced specifically for Indian chefs de cuisine, yoga teachers, and classical musicians to take up short-term roles in the UK. What remains unchanged? The deal does not create any new visa categories or offer a route to permanent settlement. All visa applicants must meet current UK immigration requirements, including: Salary thresholds (e.g. £48,500 for senior or specialist workers) Proof of qualifications or experience A contract with a UK-based company Sponsorship from an approved UK employer There is also no cap on how the Home Office may adjust these requirements in the future. Indian workers will still need to pay the full immigration health surcharge—£1,035 per adult per year—and other employer-linked fees, including the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000 for most employers for the first year) and a certificate of sponsorship (£525). In the UK Parliament, Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, said the agreement preserves Britain's existing rules on immigration. 'The deal does not affect the points-based system. It only covers business mobility, which is different from immigration, as it is about travel for specific and temporary business purposes," he said. The United Kingdom's points-based immigration system is the framework used to decide who can work, study, or settle in the UK. In this, applicants must earn at least 70 points to qualify for most work visas. Points are awarded based on specific criteria such as: Having a job offer from an approved UK employer (20 points) Speaking English at a required level (10 points) Job being at an appropriate skill level (20 points) Salary level (0–20 points depending on the salary band) Occupation being in a shortage field (extra points) Having a relevant PhD (extra points if related to the job, especially in STEM fields) Who qualifies under business mobility? The agreement confirms access for the following categories: Business visitors: Can travel to the UK for up to 6 months to attend meetings, conferences, or trade fairs. Intra-corporate transferees: Senior employees or graduate trainees of Indian companies transferring to UK branches. Contractual service suppliers: Indian employees contracted to deliver services in listed sectors. Independent professionals: Self-employed individuals offering services on a UK contract. Expansion workers: Indian business professionals setting up the first UK branch of their company. All access is time-limited and temporary. Most routes are capped at one year, except for intra-corporate transferees. Short-term entry, long-term impact? While the FTA doesn't offer new routes to live permanently in the UK, experts believe it brings long-term clarity. By locking in short-term visa access for specific professions, the deal ensures Indian businesses can continue to send specialists for key assignments without fear of sudden policy reversals. Varun Singh, Managing Director of XIPHIAS Immigration, said the FTA represents more than a commercial agreement. "The India-UK FTA is more than just a trade pact — it's a gateway for skilled Indian professionals to dream bigger. Both sides have signalled a strong intent to include provisions that ease mobility for Indian workers, particularly in sectors like IT, healthcare, and finance," Singh told Business Standard. 'The landmark UK-India trade deal unlocks thousands of jobs and boosts growth across both economies. The Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership will see closer collaboration on defence, education, climate, technology and innovation," said Alison Barrett, MBE, Country Director India, British Council. The agreement mirrors mobility chapters in UK trade deals with New Zealand, Canada and the EU. For India, this is the first time such service access and labour mobility provisions have been formalised in a UK trade pact. Indian nationals remain the largest group of non-EU skilled workers in the UK. According to the 2021 Census, 1.86 million people in England and Wales identified as having Indian ethnicity—making up 3.1% of the population. Visa violations, including overstaying, continue to carry serious consequences such as deportation, re-entry bans and refusal of future visas. The agreement reaffirms that such rules will remain unchanged.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Visa boost for desi professionals, chefs in trade agreement
NEW DELHI: Independent professionals as well as business visitors, company executives and investors can expect a more predictable visa regime to the United Kingdom once the trade deal signed Thursday is implemented. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement seeks to "lock in" business mobility rules for Indian business visitors attending meetings and conferences, experienced employees, graduate trainees, investors, as well as musicians, chefs and yoga teachers. The British govt will, however, closely monitor eligibility norms to avoid a large influx. For instance, senior executives of service sector companies with branches in India and UK will get visas for three years. Contractual service providers across more sectors will be eligible for business visas of up to 12 months. Govt sources said the UK has agreed not to impose numerical limits on Indian business mobility and won't require Indian companies to advertise locally before applying for these visas. Last year, the UK granted 25,117 visas under the Global Business Mobility route. The deal provides for 1,800 annual visas to Indian musicians, chefs and yoga teachers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Indian nurses, accountants and other professionals can look forward to academic qualifications being recognised in the UK, as the deal pushes for mutual recognition agreements. India has kept legal services out of bounds but agreed to let British accounting and audit firms set up shop here, provided the UK offers reciprocal access. Like in the Australian ECTA, architectural services are now open to British firms. The UK has made offers across 12 major services sectors and 137 sub-sectors. India will open 11 sectors and 108 sub-sectors. While India has locked in 100% FDI in telecom, insurance and aviation, it refused to ease cap on British banks opening more branches. The deal also facilitates Indian educational institutions & hospitals expanding into UK. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK launches digital eVisas for Pakistani students, workers
Listen to article The United Kingdom has officially introduced digital eVisas for Pakistani students and workers, marking a significant step towards a modernised and streamlined immigration process. Starting from July 15, 2025, most primary applicants applying for UK study or work-related visas will no longer require a physical sticker visa in their passports. Instead, they will be issued a digital record of their immigration status, known as an eVisa. An eVisa is an online confirmation of an individual's permission to enter, stay, or work in the UK. It also outlines any conditions attached to their immigration status. This digital status can be accessed and managed through an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The change does not affect an individual's immigration status or the conditions of their stay but represents a shift in how this information is stored and shared. According to the British High Commission in Islamabad, the eVisa system aims to make the visa process more secure, efficient, and user-friendly. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE emphasised the convenience of the new system, stating that the transition to eVisas would simplify the process for Pakistani students and professionals. 'These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time,' she said. The rollout applies to a wide range of visa categories. These include students—both for long-term and short-term study up to 11 months—along with individuals applying under the Global Business Mobility routes such as Senior or Specialist Workers, Graduate Trainees, and Secondment Workers. Other eligible categories include Global Talent, International Sportspersons, Skilled Workers (including those in the Health and Care sector), various Temporary Work routes, and applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme. eVisa holders will be able to link their travel documents, such as passports, to their UKVI accounts to enable smoother international travel. Through the 'view and prove' service, individuals can securely share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or other authorised entities, particularly in England. However, not all visa applicants will receive an eVisa at this stage. Those applying as dependants or under visa categories not related to work or study—such as general visitor visas—will still be issued a physical sticker visa. Similarly, individuals who already possess valid physical visa stickers do not need to take any action, as their existing documents remain valid. This is part of a phased approach by the UK Home Office to fully digitise its immigration system. The goal is to eventually replace all physical immigration documents with secure, accessible digital records. The transition to eVisas aligns with global trends in immigration management and reflects the UK's commitment to using technology to improve the customer experience for visa applicants worldwide.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK replaces passport stickers with eVisas for some: What you need to know if you're planning your travel
Live Events You Might Also Like: UK may rethink non-dom inheritance tax as wealthy foreigners exit Create a UKVI account Link their current passport to their eVisa Check their account for accuracy Generate and carry an 'S' share code in case their eVisa is not viewable while travelling Verify that new employees have completed all steps in the pre-travel checklist Conduct right-to-work checks online using the eVisa system Guide applicants with dependants on the differing procedures for family members View their visa status and expiry Share their immigration status with landlords or employers using time-bound share codes Update personal and travel document details You Might Also Like: UK study visa applications witness a sharp rise despite graduate route cuts Non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance through work and specific other visa routes now no longer receive a physical visa sticker in their passports. Instead, applicants will be issued an electronic visa, or eVisa , accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The move, that kicked off on June 15, is part of the Home Office's plan to fully digitise the UK's immigration to the UK Home Office guidance, this change applies to those applying under the Skilled Worker (including Health and Care), Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Temporary Worker (including Creative Workers and Government Authorised Exchange), Youth Mobility Scheme, and Student visa under these routes will no longer need to hand over their passports at visa application centres for visa vignette placement, reducing travel restrictions and courier delays. They can remain mobile during the processing period, though may still be called for an interview on short notice.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)Applicants with stays under 90 days or dependants of main applicants will continue to receive vignette stickers in their eVisa serves as a digital record of a migrant's immigration status, replacing several physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements, and visa vignette stickers. This rollout builds on earlier implementation through the EU Settlement Home Office said, 'Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.'Expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel. Travellers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering the UK. If the eVisa is not properly linked, carriers may refuse under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts, with parents or guardians managing them where who have other physical evidence of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or indefinite leave to enter (ILE), such as wet ink stamps or vignette stickers, are advised to apply for a no-time-limit (NTL) eVisa. Individuals eligible under the Windrush Scheme or those applying under the EU Settlement Scheme can also receive an Home Office reiterated that, 'Millions have already received their eVisas since 2018 and more categories will follow as we fully transition to digital status.'Applicants are advised to follow guidance carefully, especially before international travel, and to keep both their passport and immigration details updated in the UKVI system.
