Modi raises UK visa row with Cameron

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue of change in Tier-2 visa rules with British counterpart David Cameron, saying skilled information technology professionals from India should not find it difficult to come to work in the United Kingdom. During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Fourth Nuclear Security Summit here yesterday, Modi raised the issue of change in the UK visa law, which will impact professionals earning below 35,000 pounds annually.

“Prime Minister also raised the issue of Tier II visas for IT companies. He said skilled professionals should not find it difficult to come to work in the UK,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vikas Swarup said. “And, in this context the recommendations made by the migration advisory committee could caste a negative light.” 

According to the new rule, professionals living and working in Britain on a Tier-2 visa who earn less than 35,000 pounds a year could be deported at the end of five years of their stay in the country.

Earlier, a Tier-2 visa holder could apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK with an annual income of around 21,000 pounds. The new rule comes into effect on April 6 and is likely to affect thousands of Indian skilled professionals.

“Cameron promised to take a look at it. He said we do not want to disadvantage bonafide IT companies, but at the same time we would also want to ensure that the UK system is not misused,” Swarup said. Indian professionals form the largest category of individuals issued such visas by the UK over the years.