India Consistently Raising Visa Issue With UK: Nirmala Sitharaman
NEW DELHI: India has been consistently raising its concerns with the UK about the new British immigration law, which will impact domestic professionals earning below 35,000 pounds annually, Parliament was informed today.
In 2012, the UK had made certain changes to the immigration rules, which would affect the settlement of non-European economic area workers with tier II visas based on the recommendations of the UK Migration Advisory Committee, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
“India has been taking up this issue consistently with the UK including at the highest levels, urging the UK to not accept these recommendations in the interests of the bilateral trade in services between India and the UK and its adverse impact not only on Indian IT companies but also on the UK’s own economy and competitiveness,” she said.
One of the changes recommended by the committee is that all skilled non-European economic area workers with tier II visas, except certain exempted categories, will only be eligible to stay in the UK permanently if they are earning at least 35,000 pound per annum.
Indian professionals have formed the largest category of individuals issued such visas by the UK over the years.
The changes will affect tier II migrants who obtained their visa under the immigration Rules in force since April 2011 and want to apply for settlement in the UK after 5 years.
In March, the UK government has announced its decision to accept majority of he committee’s recommendations.