Industry, Student Groups Applaud New UK-India Visa Scheme
The new UK-India visa Young Professionals Scheme, introduced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has been praised by business and student organisations in Britain as an excellent way to facilitate the free flow of talented individuals between the two countries economies.
The plan, which was announced on Wednesday, would give up to 3,000 visas per year to students and professionals in India between the ages of 18 and 30 who want to live and work in the UK for 24 months. The same offer would be made to British citizens.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) praised the new plan as a “once-in-a-lifetime chance” for young professionals in both countries and proof of the strength of the UK-India visa Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP), which was signed last year.
The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, which advocates for more streamlined provisions for Indian students studying in the UK, said the new scheme marked an “important moment” in the UK-India visa relationship in addressing critical skill shortages as it awaits operational details to be implemented next year.
The Lord Mayor of London, who represents the global financial center of the City of London, praised the Bali Declaration and called for increased contact between the two countries in other areas.
