UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the UK visa policy will not change for India. His statement came before landing in Mumbai to promote a new trade deal and boost economic ties. The visit aims to highlight trade cooperation rather than immigration adjustments.
Sir Keir arrived in India with a large delegation of business leaders, academics, and cultural figures. They are seeking to strengthen business-to-business links and attract new investment. The prime minister said there were “massive opportunities” for collaboration, but he ruled out easing visa restrictions.
Starmer emphasized that the UK visa policy is separate from the recent trade deal with India. He explained that the focus is on trade, investment, and job creation, not immigration. The Labour government continues to prioritize reducing migration levels while encouraging skilled trade partnerships.
The UK and India signed a major trade agreement in July after years of negotiations. The deal will make British cars and whisky cheaper to export to India. It will also allow Indian textiles and jewelry to enter the UK market at lower prices. Both countries expect a significant economic boost from the agreement.
The deal includes a three-year exemption on social security payments for Indian workers on short-term UK visas. However, ministers stressed that this does not represent a shift in the broader UK visa policy. Starmer reiterated that the agreement focuses on economic growth, not migration.
While in Mumbai, Starmer will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss economic cooperation and global issues. He stated that the UK remains committed to addressing Russia’s shadow oil fleet rather than India’s oil purchases from Russia. The prime minister also clarified he had no plans to send birthday greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
British Airways announced a third daily flight between Delhi and Heathrow to strengthen business travel. Manchester Airport also revealed a new direct connection to Delhi. These moves align with Starmer’s goal of deepening trade and cultural ties.
The UK visa policy continues to reflect the government’s broader immigration goals. Starmer made it clear that attracting global talent will not mean loosening visa rules for specific countries. His message in India underlined a consistent approach—strong trade engagement without immigration concessions.
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