The United Kingdom has committed to a comprehensive mobility framework for Indian service professionals under the India-UK trade pact, the Commerce Ministry said on Thursday, outlining specific gains in the trade in services chapter.According to the ministry, the UK has provided assured mobility across several categories of natural persons, removing key barriers for Indian workers and firms operating in the services sector.
Business Visitors (BV) across all sectors will be allowed entry for up to 90 days within any six months. Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT), including partners and dependents, can stay for up to three years. Graduate trainees have also been accommodated under this category.
Investors will be permitted a stay of one year. Contractual Service Suppliers (CSS) from 33 sub-sectors, including IT, ITeS, finance, business services, hospitality, and transport, can operate in the UK for 12 months within 24 months. Independent Professionals from 16 sub-sectors, such as IT, business consulting, telecom and finance, can also access the UK market under similar terms.Moreover, the UK has agreed not to impose numerical quotas or Economic Needs Test (ENT) requirements for these categories. Both sides have also committed to pursuing mutual recognition of professional qualifications, a move expected to benefit Indian professionals across regulated fields.The ministry described this framework as a significant gain for India’s services sector, opening up predictable and flexible access in one of its key markets.
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