Visa Opportunities Expanded for Indian Professionals and Chefs Under Trade Deal

The recent India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) brings significant improvements to visa policies and business mobility between the two countries, promising predictable pathways for independent professionals, company executives, business visitors, and investors from India to the UK. Once implemented, this agreement will offer streamlined access for a range of Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, or on temporary assignments in the UK, while also supporting the cultural exchange of musicians, chefs, and yoga teachers.

The UK has agreed to issue three-year visas to senior executives of service-sector companies with branches in both India and the UK, enhancing long-term operational mobility. Moreover, contractual service providers in multiple sectors will be eligible for business visas of up to 12 months. This aims to encourage cross-border collaborations and ease of doing business. Notably, the UK will not impose any numerical cap on Indian business travelers and will not mandate local advertisement of job vacancies before visa applications, a provision that was previously considered a barrier. In 2023 alone, the UK issued 25,117 visas under the Global Business Mobility route, and under the new deal, 1,800 additional annual visas will be granted specifically to Indian musicians, chefs, and yoga teachers.

The agreement also opens doors for recognition of Indian academic and professional qualifications, benefiting nurses, accountants, and other skilled professionals. This mutual recognition clause is expected to ease employment barriers and accelerate integration into the UK job market. In exchange, India has permitted British accounting and auditing firms to operate in the Indian market, on the condition of reciprocal access for Indian firms in the UK. However, India has kept legal services off the table, indicating its intention to retain regulatory control over this sensitive sector.

Furthermore, similar to provisions in the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), India has opened architectural services to British firms. The UK has offered commitments in 12 major service sectors and 137 sub-sectors, while India will open up 11 sectors and 108 sub-sectors in return. These sectors span professional services, financial services, health, education, and IT, broadening the scope for future cooperation.

In terms of investment, India has locked in 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the telecom, insurance, and aviation sectors. However, it has declined to relax restrictions on the expansion of British bank branches in India, signaling a cautious approach to the financial sector.

Additionally, the agreement promotes the entry of Indian educational institutions and healthcare providers into the UK market, creating new avenues for cross-border collaboration in these vital sectors.

Overall, the India-UK trade deal reflects a balanced partnership, encouraging mobility, business collaboration, and professional exchange while safeguarding sensitive sectors. It is expected to strengthen bilateral relations, promote economic growth, and facilitate deeper people-to-people ties between the two nations.