Summary
The scheme will be up and active from early next year to offer upto 3,000 visas annually to Indian students and professionals aged between 18 and 30
The UK Home Office guidance states that further updates shall be notified once the first Indian ballot is announced
PM Rishi Sunak on Wednesday launched the newly UK-India Young Professionals Scheme and it is widely welcomed by the industry and student groups in Britain. They called it a great step in ensuring the smooth movement of top talent between markets.
The scheme will be up and active from early next year to offer upto 3,000 visas annually to Indian students and professionals aged between 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for 24 months, with British nationals granted a similar offer for India.
The Lord Mayor of London, who represents the financial hub of the City of London globally, gladly welcomed the announcement from the G20 Summit in Bali and called for enhanced exchanges between the two countries in other sectors too. He said, “International trade requires the removal of barriers and visa schemes like this are a great step in ensuring we allow top talent to move smoothly between markets.”
He further said, “India is home to the fastest growing economy in the world and one of the UK’s historic partners. With trade negotiations ongoing, firms will also want to see a greater focus on enabling smoother digital trade and the free flow of data. Delivering on these priorities will in turn unlock opportunities and growth for businesses across the UK.”
Director General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Arun Chawla said, “This will give the brightest young minds from both the countries to live and work in the other country. This will be an opportunity of a lifetime for these young professionals. The announcement also highlights the strength of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership agreed last year.”
Chairman of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, Sanam Arora said, “I have no doubts that the scheme will be oversubscribed from India’s perspective, but I do hope that as many young Brits as possible are also encouraged to take up this scheme to go to India because this has the potential to be a truly wonderful way of educating Britain’s youth about contemporary India.”
She further added, “This scheme will further help strengthen the living bridge of young Indian and British talent enriching the other country, just as our Indian students who we are honouring through the India UK Achievers Honours, have done for centuries.”
The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme will be open to degree-educated young professionals under 30 years. The UK Home Office guidance states that further updates shall be notified once the first Indian ballot is announced.
Last updated on 17 Nov 2022
