India-UK FTA:

The Economic Times Highlights The SmartMove2UK on UK Career Boom for Indian Students

Have you ever considered how your desire to study or do business in the UK could be impacted by the recent trade agreement between India and the UK? The Economic Times newspaper recently featured an article that dives into just this topic, explaining how the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to make the UK an even more attractive place for Indian students. The good news is, it’s not just about easier study; there are potentially big boosts for your future career too.

A “red carpet” welcome is being extended to Indian students because of the free trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom.

Experts quoted in the Economic Times piece point out several benefits that this agreement is anticipated to provide:

• Simplified Visa Processes: Obtaining your visa may be made simpler with less paperwork and quicker processing.
• Improved Employment Opportunities After Study: It is anticipated that the agreement will improve employment opportunities, particularly in well-known industries including professional services, education, IT, and finance.
• Acknowledgement of Your Skills: Mutual recognition of professional qualifications is the goal of the agreement, which is quite beneficial whether you’re studying accounting, architecture, or law.

Adding to these benefits is a trend highlighted in The Economic Times feature by The SmartMove2UK. This firm is described as a UK-focused immigration law firm. The founder, Falguni Y Parekh, a solicitor, shared a key observation:
Since the FTA, The SmartMove2UK is seeing “strong interest from Indian companies exploring the possibility of expanding or setting up operations in the UK“.
This increased activity by Indian businesses in the UK is directly leading to “creating a wave of new career opportunities for Indian students” who are studying there.

Mrs. Parekh of The SmartMove2UK also shed light on a specific hiring trend among these expanding Indian companies. They often prefer hiring Indian graduates who have studied in the UK.

Why? Because these graduates bring a “unique blend of market understanding and cultural alignment”. According to Parekh, this mix makes them “ideal champions of cross-border collaboration” between India and the UK. So, your time studying in the UK doesn’t just get you a degree; it gives you valuable insights and connections that Indian businesses expanding internationally are looking for.

The Economic Times article, featuring insights from The SmartMove2UK and other experts, paints a picture of the UK becoming a “more student- and professional-friendly ecosystem”. Beyond the points mentioned, the FTA also facilitates easier intra-company transfers, which can benefit those looking to gain international work experience within an Indian company with a UK presence. All these factors combine to position the UK not just for education, but as a “launchpad for a global career” for Indian students.