sources suggest that any changes to the visa policies are likely to be cautious and restricted due to the sensitive nature of immigration politics in the UK
Reports indicate that the United Kingdom is considering making adjustments to its visa rules to accommodate Indian professionals as part of the India-Britain Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Indian officials told Bloomberg. However, sources suggest that any changes to the visa policies are likely to be cautious and restricted due to the sensitive nature of immigration politics in the UK, as reported byeconomictimes.indiatimes.com.
While the UK has been resistant to making significant concessions regarding visa and immigration rules within the framework of the FTA with India, there seems to be a willingness to engage in discussions about limited modifications. The demand from India has been for expanded opportunities for its citizens to work in the UK. However, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) in 2016 was partly fueled by concerns about controlling the influx of people into the country.
Amid these challenges, discussions are reportedly focused on the possibility of introducing time-limited business visas tailored for highly skilled workers. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen how both India and the UK will navigate these sensitive topics and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement under the India-Britain FTA
Negotiations between India and the UK faced obstacles last year, particularly in terms of facilitating easier access for a large number of skilled workers. This delay pushed the negotiations past the initial October deadline. Complicating matters, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman expressed apprehensions about potential migration from India, which further solidified India’s stance on the matter.
The UK Home Secretary voiced reservations about incorporating relaxation of visa regulations through the trade agreement. She notably pointed out that individuals from India constituted the “largest group of people who overstayed” their visas. This underscores the complexity of the situation that the UK government, led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, is grappling with. Notably, the UK experienced a record net migration of 606,000 individuals in the past year, and data on visas revealed that a substantial portion—roughly one in three—of residence visas were issued to Indian workers.
Amid these challenges, discussions are reportedly focused on the possibility of introducing time-limited business visas tailored for highly skilled workers. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen how both India and the UK will navigate these sensitive topics and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement under the India-Britain FTA.
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