Britain on Thursday relaxed immigration rules for foreign professionals, entering the country via the ‘Intra-Company Transfer’ (ICT) route.
According to the changes to immigration rules, included in a statement in the House of Commons by home secretary Theresa May, the length of stay for professionals entering the ICT category has been extended from five years to nine years.
The step has been taken in response to Indian and other foreign companies’ concerns.
Home office figures show the ICT route is mostly used by Indian IT and other companies to transfer employees to their British offices from India.
The new facility will be extended to those employees who are paid 150,000 pounds (about $240,000) or more annually as salary.
It means the companies and manufacturers, who have told the government that they preferred to transfer senior staff to Britain for longer duration, will be able to do so, official sources said.
Immigration minister Mark Harper said: “The UK is open for business to the brightest and best migrants and today’s changes will ensure we remain an attractive destination for global talent”.
“The government remains committed to supporting a private sector-led economic recovery.
Other changes in immigration rules will allow skilled Indian and other non-EU workers the flexibility to travel in and out of the country, without it counting against them when it comes to applying for settlement in Britain, sources said.