UK Prime Minister Theresa May Rejects Calls to Relax Indian Visa Rules

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November 7, 2016

New Delhi: British Prime Minister Theresa May, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening on a three-day India visit, rejected calls to relax Indian visa rules on Saturday night.

In this file photo, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smiles during a bilateral meeting in London

November 7, 2016

New Delhi: British Prime Minister Theresa May, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening on a three-day India visit, rejected calls to relax Indian visa rules on Saturday night.

In this file photo, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smiles during a bilateral meeting in London

On being questioned if she would consider relaxing tough rules to allow more Indian nationals to work in the UK as part of a future trade deal, May said the country already has one of the best schemes in the world.

At least, 10,000 Indians are expected to take advantage of the Registered Travellers Scheme in the first two years and the scheme will be open initially to those on a work visa.

May announced the scheme on Saturday.

Theresa announced that UK government's plans to speed up border checks for rich Indian businessmen in an attempt to encourage more trade and commerce between the two nations. Earlier, in a bid to attract high net worth individuals from the Indian business community as part of her first trade mission to the county, she had promised to make it easier for them to make repeat trips to Britain.

The UK government will also offer a select group of high net worth Indians access to a bespoke visa and immigration service called the Great Club. These people will get an account manager to help them with immigration issues.

The Indians have spoken of their desire to see a more open visa system with the UK in a bid to demonstrate that workers are welcome in Britain.

The number of Indian students at UK universities had halved due to change in visa law when Theresa was Home Secretary of Britain.


Courtesy: News18