India-UK FTA provides 1,800 visas for chefs, yoga practitioners, and musicians from the UK.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom (UK), signed on July 25, 2025, promotes the movement of Indian professionals by providing 1,800 yearly UK visas for chefs, yoga teachers, classical artists, and other specialized service providers. The accord allows Indian professionals to work in the UK for a maximum of two years in 35 service sectors, such as architecture, engineering, law, finance, education, and digital commerce. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, stated that the FTA simplifies visa processes for contractual service providers, business visitors, and independent professionals, thus broadening prospects for Indian talent. It also presents simplified routes for internal transfers and brief assignments. The agreement guarantees there are no limits on UK service providers. It provides commercial presence rights (Mode 3) in areas like consultancy, computer services, and environmental services. India has acknowledged restricted acceptance of UK qualifications in areas such as law and accounting, but it has maintained regulatory exemptions in legal services, taxation, and national security. Experts point out that the UK’s obligations regarding labour mobility are limited, lacking enforceable clauses for Information Technology (IT) specialists or more general groups like post-study employment. Indian professionals continue to be required to fulfill current educational, salary, and employment standards within the UK’s points-based framework. Industry leaders consider the FTA a crucial advancement in global talent acknowledgment, yet emphasize the importance of cultural preparedness, skill development, and compliance training to fully leverage India’s competitive edge.