UK Eager To Ease Immigration Guidelines For Indians In Exchange For Trade Access

UK Ministers are keen to ease immigration restraints in a bid to make it easier for thousands of Indian nationals to live and work in the country as part of the forthcoming trade talks, the Guardian reported. The potential offer will be discussed when International Trade Secretary AnneMarie Trevelyan travels to Delhi this month, writes the Times UK.

Trevelyan is said to have the support of the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, who is keen to curb China's expanding influence in the region. However, they are assumed to meet strong resistance from Some Secretary Priti Patel, who resists the offer.

According to recent news in Times UK, visa relaxation options under consideration include a scheme like Australia agreed, permitting younger Indians to stay and work within the UK for up to 3 years. Another could be to reduce pupil visa expenses and allow them to live in Britain for a while once they graduate.

Visa fees for work and tourism, which currently cost around 1,400 pounds, could also be lowered as a sweetener. UK Ministers assume a trade deal with Delhi would equip British businesses with a head start in what is expected to be the world's third-largest economy by 2050.

Britain could also jump ahead as India does not have bilateral trade deals with the US or the European Union. Immigrant-friendly lawmakers and corporations are calling for immigration reform to help the UK retain highly skilled talent and support the local economy.