UK Immigration Rules Affect Transferring Skilled Workers from India to UK

This week, the Director of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chandrajit Banerjee voiced his concerns that the UK Immigration Rules are affecting business opportunities between India and the UK. The CII is planning to raise their issues with the UK immigration system at the annual conference titled ‘The Future of UK-India Economic Relations’; taking place this week.

Director of CII:  Indian Companies have added Tremendously to UK

Mr Banerjee stated that over the past 8-10 months the CII has not been able to obtain a Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa for their current head, Shuchita Sonalika. Instead Mr Sonalika has successfully been traveling to the UK on a Business visa which the CII has admitted is not necessarily affecting their work in the UK, however, it is making it difficult for them to do business in the UK. Mr Banerjee stated:
“It is important that the issue of migration is addressed in the context of the times we are living in. We are very keen that the UK takes a pragmatic approach to the issue. Most of the Indian companies who have come to the UK have added tremendously, not only to the economic side but actually been among the largest employers. They have been employing people from the UK but there is sometimes need for various special skills where you need more flexibility. That is the area where we really would like to see mobility being allowed and flexibility brought in.”
When making the above comment, Mr Banerjee was referring to the Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa route of the Points Based System which the majority of Indian IT companies look to transfer employees from India to the UK based branch of their organisation.

Home Office’s Immigration Statistics for Skilled Indian Workers

Despite concerns being raised the relations between UK and India are currently in a good place, as it was found that the UK invested more in India last year than America and Japan did combined. At the same time India invested more in the UK then it did in Europe as a whole. Furthermore, the UK Home Office released its official immigration statistics for January to March 2015, showing that almost four-fifths (78%) of Tier 2 Skilled Worker visas & extensions granted were to Indian nationals.  In addition to 2,238 (5%) obtaining Tier 5 Temporary worker visas.
However, according to the Home Office Immigration statistics during the same period the number of Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visas granted decreased from, 17,988 to 17,199. As mentioned above ICT visas are required mostly by Indian IT companies as their UK branches will benefit from their nationals skills and knowledge, which also in turn help their UK counterparts. This is not an easy visa to obtain which may explain the recent decrease and the CII speaking out against the current Immigration Rules. Our expert Immigration Solicitors will be able to guide you through the specifics to ensure that you do not miss anything and understand what to expect from the process.

Successful UK Tier 2 Visa Applications

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 2 General migrant visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a Tier 2 General visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

Contact us so that we can review your case and provide you with an assessment.

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