LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2198
ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2025
IMPACT OF UK IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS
2198. SHRI KUNDURU RAGHUVEER
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether new UK immigration restrictions have reduced work visas for Indians, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the impact thereof on healthcare workers & IT professionals;
(c) whether revised mobility agreements are being negotiated and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the safety and grievance mechanisms for workers in Gulf countries?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) The UK government has undertaken policy changes since 2024 to reduce net migration into the UK. The most recent policy changes targeting the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa routes were announced in the Immigration White Paper and implemented on 22 July 2025. These policy changes have resulted in fewer work visas issued to healthcare workers as well as IT professionals.
According to the UK Home Office statistics, in the year ending September 2025, the total number of health and care worker visas issued decreased by 67% to 16,606; visas issued to Nursing Professionals decreased by 79% to 2,225; visas issued for IT Professionals decreased by 20% to 10,051.
(c) India and UK have already signed Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) in May 2021. Both sides continue to engage on the issue of skilled mobility as also on illegal migration. Young Professional Scheme under MMPA offers a visa route to young Indian professionals (between age 18 and 30) to live and work in the UK for up to two years and vice-versa. Further, the recently signed India – UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) contains provisions for mutual recognition and professional mobility. The agreement is under ratification process in the UK Parliament.
(d) The Government of India accords highest priority to the safety, protection and well-being of Indian workers abroad. There are established channels to enable them to reach out to the Embassy/Consulate in case they need any assistance. They can contact the Embassy/Consulate through walk-in, email, multilingual 24x7 emergency numbers, WhatsApp numbers, grievance redressal portals like MADAD/CPGRAMS/eMigrate, and social media etc. Dedicated Labour Wings for handling such matters are there in Indian Missions/Posts abroad, where there is a sizable number of Indian emigrant workers. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra has been set up in key locations such as New Delhi, Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah to provide guidance and counselling to the Indian workers. Indian Missions/Posts regularly organize Open Houses and Consular Camps in remote areas to get feedback from Indian workers residing in such areas and to address their grievances, if any. On receipt of complaint from or on behalf of the emigrant, the same is taken up pro-actively with concerned Foreign Employer (FE) and the work place of the aggrieved worker is also visited, if required. The complaints pertaining to employment issues are also taken up with the local labour department and other relevant authorities of the host country for prompt redressal.
Further, as additional safeguard for protection and safety of the female workers (including domestic sector workers), Government has authorized only State run Recruiting Agencies (RAs) to recruit Indian female workers holding ECR category passports for overseas employment in Gulf and other notified ECR Countries through the e-Migrate Portal. Moreover, there is a minimum age criterion of 30 years for female workers holding ECR category passport for overseas employment in notified ECR countries, in order to protect them against exploitation. The Embassy/Consulate also utilizes the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) from time to time to provide financial and legal assistance to Indian nationals in distress on a means-tested basis. Under ICWF, the major assistance includes Boarding & Lodging, Air Passage to India, Legal Assistance, Emergency Medical Care, Transportation of Mortal Remains to India, and Payment of Small Fines and Penalties.
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