India and UK Sign New Deal On Immigration
Britain and India have a long, complex relationship. Indians are the largest group of non-EU nationals who migrate to the UK.
The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that 305,000 people born in India are estimated to have moved to the UK between July 2016 and June 2017, making India the most common migrant nationality in the country after EU countries of Poland, Romania and the Republic of Ireland.
Last week, Caroline Nokes, the new Immigration minister, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Home Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju. It allows for Indian nationals who overstay their visas or enter the country illegally to be sent home more easily.
In addition, the two governments agreed to exchange criminal records information which will allow British and Indian law enforcement bodies to share files, fingerprints and intelligence. This is designed to stop known offenders, especially those who have committed crimes of a sexual nature, from boarding aircraft. It will also allow courts in both countries to access the information needed to impose tougher sentences.
India and Britain’s fraught relationship around Immigration matters
The UK government will view this deal as a positive step forward after 18 months of tensions. In November 2017, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, stated that Britain may need to accept higher levels of Immigration from India if it wanted to enter into a favourable post-Brexit deal.
“It [the deal] has to be mutually beneficial, it can’t be a one-way street. For instance, you’ve all read about issues of freer mobility of professions. That is something right up there as far as India is concerned, he stated.
“I’m not talking about unfettered access or unrestricted travel, I’m talking about movement of professionals, movement of doctors, technicians, engineers. I think both sides will benefit from this exchange and obviously it has to be a two-way exchange not just one way.”
As well as providing the UK with highly skilled workers, Indian students entering the country on a Tier 4 (General) student visa contribute hundreds of thousands of pounds to the UK economy.
How OTS Solicitors can assist Indian nationals looking to enter the UK
OTS Solicitors is a highly-ranked Legal 500 law firm based in London. We have assisted hundreds of Indian nationals and corporations enter or create a commercial presence in the UK.
Our team can also assist with helping migrants from India obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.
OTS Solicitors is one of the most respected Immigration law firms in London and is highly ranked in the Legal 500 for Immigration and Human Rights. By making an appointment with one of our Immigration solicitors, you can be assured of receiving some of the best legal advice available in the UK today.
If you require Immigration law advice, please phone our London office on 0203 959 9123.