To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to encourage more (a) skilled workers, (b) tourists and (c) students from India to secure visas to (i) work, (ii) visit and (iii) study in the UK; and if she will make a statement.
Answered on
6 March 2020
On 19 February the Government published a policy statement outlining the principles of the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System, for introduction from January 2021. The system will ensure we are able to attract the brightest and best people globally. It will be based on the skills and talents which people can bring rather than their nationality.
We welcome genuine visitors from all over the world and will continue our generous visitor provisions but with simplified rules and guidance.
The creation of the Graduate route clearly demonstrates the Government support for the education sector and adds further value to our world-beating offer for international students. This is reflected in the number of sponsored Tier 4 student applications from Indian nationals increasing by 93% in the year ending December 2019; the highest level since 2011.