No UK visa curbs for Indian professionals |
The British government brushed aside all allegations of restrictions on visas to Indian professionals travelling to UK. Chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond said Indians account for a majority of work visas. Hammond is in New Delhi for the UK-India economic and financial dialogue aimed at promoting trade and investments between the two countries. As India and the UK look at a free trade agreement (FTA), Hammond said that there would be detailed discussions on visa issues. UK`s migration approach is to move towards high-skilled professionals and that is what Indian companies also want. The FTA is likely to be formalised after Britain formally leaves the European Union (EU). As a series of new visa restrictions come into effect from April 6, apprehensions about their impact on India are high. The new restrictions include an “immigration skills charge” of £1000 a year, higher salary thresholds and a health surcharge. Requests from India to review the student visa regime in the UK have also been pending. Britain`s visa policy requires that students return home after their course ends, and this has led to a drastic fall in enrolments. But Hammond had a different view and claimed that Indian student visas to the UK did decline because it closed down bogus colleges. After a decline, student numbers are growing again, he added.
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