Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out opening additional visa pathways for Indian professionals under the recently signed UK-India free trade agreement, pushing back against business leaders who say the country risks deepening its labor shortages. Speaking to journalists en route to Mumbai, where he is promoting the deal inked in July, Starmer said allowing more highly skilled workers from India “isn’t part of the plans,” emphasizing that the agreement focuses on investment and economic growth rather than migration.
“The visa situation hasn’t changed with the free trade agreement — we didn’t open up more visas,” Starmer said. “The issue is not about visas — it’s about business-to-business engagement and investment and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom.” The Prime Minister is leading a 125-strong delegation of business and cultural leaders to India, including executives who have warned that restrictions on foreign labor could stall the UK’s economic recovery.
Under the trade pact, both nations agreed only to formalize existing provisions allowing short-term business travel, without creating new visa routes. Starmer added that his government had managed to “un-block” the talks after India initially sought broader visa access for its nationals — a key sticking point in earlier negotiations.
The UK leader’s comments come as his government faces mounting pressure to curb migration amid a surge in support for the anti-immigrant Reform UK party. Starmer has proposed tightening residency rules, including extending the time required before a migrant can apply for indefinite leave to remain and linking that right to an individual’s contribution to the British economy. Critics, however, argue that such measures could deter global talent and weaken the UK’s competitiveness.
Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the Confederation of British Industry, who joined the Mumbai delegation, reiterated that migration remains crucial to addressing the country’s persistent worker shortages. Standard Chartered’s chief executive Bill Winters, also part of the trip, has previously warned that excessive immigration restrictions could harm London’s status as a global financial hub.
When asked whether the UK would seek to attract skilled professionals deterred by rising visa fees in the United States, Starmer said, “where there is very top talent across the globe, I want to have top talent in the United Kingdom, to help us grow our economy.” He did not elaborate on how his government intends to attract such talent. Bloomberg has reported that the UK is considering a special visa program for wealthy foreign investors, though details have yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister dismissed concerns over the exodus of ultra-wealthy residents following Labour’s decision to abolish tax benefits for non-domiciled individuals. “We keep a careful eye on the figures,” Starmer told reporters, adding that the tax changes were bringing in “considerable revenue” being used to repair public services such as the National Health Service.
Starmer also said the government is working to expand its network of agreements to return foreign nationals convicted of crimes, currently limited to just over 20 countries. He suggested future visa arrangements could be linked to such deals, though he stressed that India already has a returns agreement in place with the UK.
By holding firm on immigration while promoting trade ties, Starmer is seeking to balance business demands with political realities at home — a delicate act that could shape the trajectory of his government’s post-Brexit economic agenda.
