Will UK Work Visa rules be relaxed for Indians?

By Sanwar Ali:

Introduction

The United Kingdom and India are in the midst of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As a crucial point of discussion, India is pushing for more relaxed visa rules for its citizens. The UK sponsor licence scheme and Skilled Worker visa scheme is expensive and bureaucratic. However, with the UK's recent record net migration and the government under pressure to reduce immigration, this has become a contentious issue. In reality, it seems unlikely that the UK government will make major concessions for Indian workers to work in the UK. Many Conservative MPs will be against the idea. Interestingly, both the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Home Secretary Suella Braverman are of Indian ancestry. Suella Braverman has been accused of inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric.

Background

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK has been a topic of discussion for a long time. However, the negotiations seem to have hit a roadblock due to disagreements over immigration policies. India has been demanding easier access to the UK for its skilled workers while the UK has been reluctant to make any concessions to its visa and immigration rules under the FTA.

Immigration: A Point of Contention

The UK's vote for Brexit in 2016 was largely influenced by the demand for greater control over immigration. The consideration of the UK's immigration policies has become a hot-button issue, especially in view of the upcoming general election. The government's stance on immigration is being closely watched, especially considering the record net migration of 606,000 people to the UK last year. Since Brexit it was intended that there would be a reduction in immigration. Instead there has been a huge increase in immigration.

Visa Relaxations: A Possibility?

Despite the challenges, there have been whispers about the UK being open to relaxing some visa rules for Indian professionals. Although Indian professionals seeking employment in the UK would appreciate this move, its implementation is uncertain.

The Stance of Indian Officials

Indian officials have expressed hope for an agreement before the end of the year, which would include the relaxation of rules regarding the movement of skilled Indian workers to the UK. They have also urged the UK government to share data on the number of Indian business visitors who have overstayed in the UK. It is being suggesting that this figure may be lower than stated by the UK Government.

The UK's Immigration Policies

The UK has been taking steps to curb immigration and has introduced some additional restrictions, making it more difficult for immigrants to remain in the country longer term. The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has expressed reservations over relaxing immigration rules through the trade pact, claiming that Indians were the "largest group of people who overstayed". This statement sparked controversy, leading India to demand that both nations should "honor" their "understanding" with regards to migration mobility.

The Role of Skilled Workers

One of the key points in the discussion is the demand for easier access for skilled workers from India. In return, the UK is aiming to get India to open up its services market to allow more UK firms to operate there. The discussions are now reportedly focusing on time-limited business visas for highly skilled workers.

Ruling Conservative Party MPs opposing Immigration

A number of Conservative MPs in the UK has been vocal about its opposition to any increase in immigration levels. A group of backbench Tory MPs launched a pressure group with the aim of getting a commitment from the government to slash immigration figures. This opposition presents a major hurdle in the negotiations for the FTA. The Conservative Party is currently the ruling party.

Major Immigration concessions seem Unlikely

With the negotiations for the FTA between the UK and India still ongoing, it remains to be seen whether the UK will relax its visa rules for Indian professionals.

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If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, Workpermit.com can help.

For more information and advice, please contact us at 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)