India, UK set 36-month timeline to mutually recognise professional qualifications
What’s the story
India and the UK have agreed to negotiate mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) within a period of 36 months, according to The Economic Times.
The move is aimed at facilitating the movement of professionals to Britain.
The decision was made as part of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which also includes an assured mobility regime for business visitors and intra-corporate transferees.
Particularly important in certain professional services
As per the report, both countries have agreed to engage in mutual recognition of qualifications.
This is particularly important in certain professional services where qualification recognition is a must, like nursing, architecture, accounting, and dentistry.
The MRAs will recognize specific licensing or qualification requirements obtained in other jurisdictions for these professions.
UK’s mobility regime under CETA
Under the CETA, the UK has also offered an assured mobility regime for different categories of Indian professionals.
Business visitors from all sectors can enter the UK for up to 90 days in any six-month period.
Intra-corporate transferees, including their partners and dependents, can stay for as long as three years.
Graduate trainees have also been included in this category.
Market access in professional, financial services
Investors have been given a one-year stay in the UK.
Contractual service suppliers from 33 sub-sectors, including IT, ITeS, finance, business services, hospitality, and transport, can operate in the UK for 12 months within a two-year period.
Independent professionals from 16 sub-sectors such as IT, business consulting, telecom, and finance also get similar access to the UK market under these terms.
Three-year visa for IT professionals
Currently, there are some 60,000 Indian intra-corporate transferees working in the UK’s IT sector.
The UK has promised to provide a three-year visa not just for these workers but also for their partners and dependents.
The most significant part of this agreement is that the UK has agreed not to impose any numerical restrictions on these workers.
India’s offer to the UK
In return, India has given the UK market access in professional, financial (including insurance), environmental, and other services.
The UK has expertise in these services, and it will lead to investments in India.
However, it was also noted that India has ensured its policy space is preserved in sensitive sectors.
Source: www.newsbytesapp.com