Impact of India-UK FTA on Indian Students

From Financial Times 9th May 2025

Indian students considering higher studies abroad may find the UK more attractive now, as the new bilateral trade deal promises smoother visas, better job prospects, and lower financial hurdles. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signals a new era of opportunity for over 150,000 Indians already studying there and thousands more preparing to join them-with a bevy of indirect but substantial benefits. These include exemptions from social security contributions for temporary workers for three years; enhanced post- study job opportunities in services sectors like IT, educational, financial and professional services; mutual recognition of qualifications; and easier intra-company transfers.
The FTA commits to reducing paper- work and streamlining visa procedures, and will also help in mutual recognition of qualifications especially in fields like law, architecture, and accounting, said Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of study abroad platform Leverage Edu. “Expanded quotas and faster visa processing for Indian professionals could help students move into full-time roles more smoothly after graduation,” he said.

The agreement aims to:

• Simplify visa procedures: Reducing paperwork and streamlining the process.
• Enhance job prospects: Improving post-study work opportunities, particularly in sectors like IT, education, finance, and professional services.
• Facilitate qualification recognition: Promoting mutual recognition of qualifications, especially in fields like law, architecture, and accounting.
• Exempt temporary workers from social security contributions: For up to three years.
• Ease intra-company transfers: Making it easier for Indian professionals to move between company branches. For more information on the UK-India FTA .