Visa boost for desi professionals, chefs in trade agreement

NEW DELHI: Independent professionals as well as business visitors, company executives and investors can expect a more predictable visa regime to the United Kingdom once the trade deal signed Thursday is implemented.The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement seeks to “lock in” business mobility rules for Indian business visitors attending meetings and conferences, experienced employees, graduate trainees, investors, as well as musicians, chefs and yoga teachers. The British govt will, however, closely monitor eligibility norms to avoid a large influx.For instance, senior executives of service sector companies with branches in India and UK will get visas for three years. Contractual service providers across more sectors will be eligible for business visas of up to 12 months.Govt sources said the UK has agreed not to impose numerical limits on Indian business mobility and won’t require Indian companies to advertise locally before applying for these visas. Last year, the UK granted 25,117 visas under the Global Business Mobility route. The deal provides for 1,800 annual visas to Indian musicians, chefs and yoga teachers.Indian nurses, accountants and other professionals can look forward to academic qualifications being recognised in the UK, as the deal pushes for mutual recognition agreements.India has kept legal services out of bounds but agreed to let British accounting and audit firms set up shop here, provided the UK offers reciprocal access. Like in the Australian ECTA, architectural services are now open to British firms. The UK has made offers across 12 major services sectors and 137 sub-sectors. India will open 11 sectors and 108 sub-sectors.While India has locked in 100% FDI in telecom, insurance and aviation, it refused to ease cap on British banks opening more branches.The deal also facilitates Indian educational institutions & hospitals expanding into UK.