Archive · 24 Jul 2025
UK-India Trade Deal: New Mobility Pact for Business Visas
The UK and India made a deal to help businesses.
It allows some Indian workers, like chefs and engineers, to come to the UK for a short time.
They can't stay forever, and they still need to follow the rules.
The UK wants to make it easier for businesses to work together.
It's not meant to let more people move to the UK permanently, and the UK still controls who can come in.
UK and India formalized a business mobility chapter within their trade agreement.
The deal ensures short-term visa access for professionals and investors.
It doesn't create new immigration routes or pathways to permanent settlement.
Categories include business visitors, transferees, investors, and independent professionals.
The UK retains control over visa eligibility and doesn't affect net migration.
- Who
- The governments of the UK and India.
- What
- A new business mobility chapter in the UK-India trade agreement.
- When
- Details not specified in the article.
- Where
- United Kingdom and India.
- Why
- To provide legal certainty for businesses and facilitate temporary travel.
Business interests
Immigration Concerns
Business Benefits
Business interests
Supports UK companies by enabling easier temporary travel.
Immigration Concerns
Provides business with the confidence needed to plan long-term strategies.
- Agreement Purpose
- Business mobility and trade facilitation
- Visa Types Covered
- Short-term business visitors, transferees, investors, service suppliers, and independent professionals
- Maximum Stay
- Up to 6 months for business visitors; up to 5 or 9 years for transferees
- Settlement Pathway
- No new routes to permanent residency
- Quota
- Up to 1,800 chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians per year
- Visa Control
- UK retains full control over visa criteria