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.