Summary:

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement, which was signed on July 25, 2025, provides 1,800 yearly UK visas to Indian chefs, yoga teachers, classical musicians, and other specialist workers. It allows Indian professionals to work in the UK for up to two years in 35 different service industries, including architecture, engineering, law, finance, education, and digital commerce. According to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the FTA streamlines visa procedures for contractual service providers, business travellers, and independent professionals, hence boosting opportunities and facilitating intra-company transfers and short-term assignments.

The agreement imposes no restrictions on UK service providers and offers commercial presence rights in consulting, computing, and environmental services. India recognises some UK law and accounting credentials, but maintains regulatory restrictions on legal services, taxation, and national security. UK labour mobility commitments are restricted, omitting IT professionals and postgraduate jobs. Indian professionals must fulfil the UK's point-based requirements. Industry executives consider the FTA as a critical step towards global talent, but they emphasise the importance of cultural readiness, skill development, and compliance training.

Source: IBEF

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