UK-India’s new visa policy welcomed by industry, student groups

London, Nov 16 (PTI) The ‘New UK-India Young Professionals’ visa scheme launched by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday has been hailed as a major step by industry and student groups in the UK.

The scheme will be operational from early next year and will offer 3,000 visas annually to Indian students and professionals aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months. There will be a similar offer in India for British citizens.

The Lord Mayor of London welcomed the announcement in this regard made on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali and called for increased exchanges between the two countries in other areas as well.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) termed the new scheme a “huge opportunity” for young professionals from both countries and signaled the strength of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP) last year.

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, an advocacy organization for Ease of Access for students to study in the UK, also welcomed the announcement.