A new route for Indian professionals opened under the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement effective March 26. Indian nationals became eligible under the Global Business Mobility Service Supplier route, allowing Indian business professionals to work in the UK for stays of up to 12 months under the bilateral trade pact, according to immigration law firm Clark Hill, citing the UK Government’s official Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.
The news comes as Indian professionals continue to face a tightened immigration environment in key diaspora destinations. The number of US F-1 student visas issued to Indian students during the peak June-July processing window fell by approximately 69%, dropping from roughly 41,000 to about 12,700, according to data cited by VisaPro drawing on US Department of State figures.
The US Embassy in Kuwait suspended operations as of March 20 due to the deteriorating regional security environment, and the US Embassy in Bahrain suspended consular services as of March 22. Both closures directly impact members of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf seeking visa processing or emergency consular assistance, according to global mobility firm Newland Chase.
Air India’s expansion of frequencies to Europe and North America offers an alternative routing option for Indian travelers and diaspora members previously relying on Gulf hub connections that have been severely curtailed by the ongoing conflict.
