UK Maintains Tight Visa Rules for Indians Despite India Trade Deal

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out any easing of UK visa rules for Indian workers and students, drawing a firm line even as the new UK‑India free trade agreement advances. Speaking amid rising political pressure to cut net migration, Starmer said the trade pact is about trade, investment, and jobs — not immigration. The decision keeps immigration policy unchanged despite lobbying from business leaders who argue that sectors from tech to health care need more skilled staff. As reported by BBC News, the government’s stance reflects a broader push to reduce arrivals and reassure voters concerned about migration levels.

Policy stance and scope of the trade deal

Officials stress that the UK‑India free trade agreement does not create new visa categories or fast tracks. Starmer stated that allowing more highly skilled Indian workers is “not part of the plans,” underscoring a focus on business‑to‑business links rather than wider movement of people.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the message to employers is clear: recruitment from overseas must fit within existing routes and thresholds, and the free trade deal will not serve as a back door to expand migration.

The government has also indicated it could link future visa decisions to returns agreements with countries that refuse to take back nationals after refusal or removal. However, officials say this is not an issue with India, which has an effective returns arrangement.

The free trade agreement — signed in July 2025 and slated to take effect next year — is marketed as a tool to boost exports and attract investment, not to adjust movement rules for Indian nationals.

What stays the same for Indian applicants

The UK retains the current work and study pathways without new concessions. Key points include:

• No relaxation of visa rules tied to the UK‑India free trade agreement.
• Salary and role thresholds remain in place, with a noted benchmark of £48,500 for senior or specialist positions under relevant routes.
• Sponsorship by an approved UK employer is still required for most work visas, alongside proof of qualifications or relevant experience.
• Fees stay the same, including:
  • Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per adult (annual)
  • Immigration Skills Charge: £1,000 for most employers in the first year of sponsorship
  • Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £525

The agreement does allow certain business mobility categories with temporary access. These cover:

• Business visitors (up to six months)
• Intra‑corporate transferees
• Contractual service suppliers
• Independent professionals
• Expansion workers

Most of these routes are capped at one year, except for intra‑corporate transfers which have longer maximum stays under standard rules. Importantly, these are not new routes — they sit within the existing system and do not open broader work or study opportunities.

Implications for students and employers

For Indian students, the message is similar: the trade deal does not create new study visas or post‑study pathways. Applicants must follow standard rules for admission, fees, and any limits on bringing dependants. Universities and employers had hoped for easier post‑study work options to help fill skills gaps; the government’s decision closes that door for now.

Business groups warn this will make hiring harder in sectors with shortages. Examples cited include:

• Tech companies
• Construction firms
• Care providers

Ministers counter that training domestic workers and boosting productivity should come first. They want the free trade deal to deliver investment‑led jobs, not migration‑led staffing.

Practical advice for employers and applicants

Employers and prospective applicants should plan around the unchanged rules:

1. Audit roles and salary offers against current thresholds (e.g., £48,500 benchmark).
2. Ensure sponsorship arrangements with approved UK employers are in place.
3. Budget for the Immigration Skills Charge, Immigration Health Surcharge, and sponsorship fees.
4. Consider intra‑corporate transfers for short‑term needs, understanding their limits.
5. Explore training, upskilling, or remote/hybrid cross‑border arrangements where visas are impractical.

For applicants:

• Prepare strong documentation aligned with existing requirements.
• Avoid relying on rumours that the trade deal changes eligibility.
• The Skilled Worker route remains the main pathway for many roles; official guidance is available on the government’s Skilled Worker visa page.

Important: Business mobility provisions in the deal offer short‑term options for certain projects, but they do not convert into broader work rights. Keep assignments strictly within allowed scopes to avoid refusals or penalties.

Political context and outlook

Starmer’s stance reflects a sensitive political moment. Support for Reform UK — an anti‑immigration party — has grown, and cutting migration remains a central promise. Any flexibility within the UK‑India deal could risk undermining the government’s core message on control and enforcement.

Observers note that linking visa issuance to returns agreements is now a talking point across several European countries. In the UK, the government believes credible enforcement supports public confidence, but it also means opening new visa routes under a trade pact would clash with the current political climate — even for high‑skilled roles where employers cite acute gaps.

A practical effect of the decision is continued pressure on companies to:

• Plan recruitment early
• Factor in higher costs
• Consider internal training or upskilling

Some firms may move projects to jurisdictions with more flexible entry routes or rely more on remote work. For prospective Indian workers, the result will likely be longer timelines and more competitive thresholds for UK roles.

What to watch next

When the UK‑India free trade agreement takes effect next year, expect:

• No migration add‑ons in the deal itself
• Guidance on how business visitors and service suppliers can use short‑term access without breaching work rules
• Continued political emphasis on enforcement and returns arrangements

The direction is unambiguous: the government is keeping tight control of who can work and study in the UK — even with a major trading partner. As BBC News reported, Starmer has been explicit that visas are not part of the bargain.

For ongoing updates and community discussion, the ImmigrationPathways forum tracks policy shifts and applicant experiences in real time.