UK rules out easing visa norms for India.
UK Rules Out Relaxing Visa Rules for India, Says Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made it clear that the United Kingdom will not relax visa rules for Indian nationals, even as he arrived in India to promote the country’s new trade deal and strengthen business and cultural ties.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his visit, Sir Keir said there were “massive opportunities” to deepen cooperation between the two nations but stressed that expanding visa routes was not part of his agenda. “It’s about business-to-business engagement, investment, and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom.”
The prime minister is leading a high-profile delegation of more than 100 business leaders, cultural figures, and university vice chancellors to India. His goal: to showcase the benefits of the newly signed UK–India trade agreement, attract Indian investors, and reinvigorate Britain’s slowing economic growth.
The landmark trade deal, signed in July after years of negotiation, promises to make British exports such as cars and whisky cheaper in the Indian market. In return, Indian goods like textiles and jewellery will face lower export costs to the UK. The agreement is expected to inject billions into both economies and strengthen bilateral ties.
One key feature of the deal includes a three-year exemption from social security contributions for Indian employees working in the UK on short-term visas — a concession that was welcomed by Indian businesses. However, British ministers have been firm that there will be no broader changes to the UK’s immigration system as part of the agreement.
The Labour government has been pursuing a stricter stance on immigration, aiming to reduce overall numbers entering the country. At last week’s Labour Party conference, ministers outlined new measures to tighten settlement and residency rules — a move that underscores the government’s resolve to keep migration levels under control.
While Starmer emphasized that the UK remains open to global talent, he insisted that the current framework for Indian workers and students would not be expanded. “Visas played no part in the trade deal,” he told journalists on his flight to Mumbai. “That situation has not changed.”
When asked whether Britain might seek to attract more tech entrepreneurs in light of US President Donald Trump’s recent tightening of the H-1B visa program, Starmer acknowledged that the UK wanted to remain a global destination for innovation and entrepreneurship. “We want the top talent from across the world to come and help grow our economy,” he said. “But that does not mean creating new or easier visa routes for specific countries.”
Starmer’s visit is seen as an important step in refreshing the UK–India partnership, particularly as Britain seeks to expand its trade influence post-Brexit. Yet his message was clear: while business, education, and cultural ties will deepen, Britain’s immigration rules will not.