Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for the introduction of a “fair and flexible” UK visa system to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to move to the Capital and boost the economy.
In a speech that launched his week-long trade visit to Mumbai, Khan announced that he hoped to launch a three-pronged campaign to help boost London’s skilled workforce after Britain leaves the European Union, including the tapping on international talent.
According to the Mayor, plans include the creation of a new post-study UK visa route directed at international students, which would replace the system scrapped by Prime Minister Theresa May in 2012.
Mr Khan also voiced his desire for an easier UK visa process for entrepreneurs, including the delaying of the requirement for applicants to have capital funds in place until their UK visa is renewed.
The failings of the UK visa systems have already become one of the main issues addressed by the Mayor during his time in India. In a speech to business leaders, Sadiq Khan said: “I fully appreciate the real disappointment that many Indians have felt about the British Government’s decision to make it more difficult for Indians to gain visas to work and study in the UK.”
He added: “This is not only counterproductive, but simply wrong for the British Government to launch a charm offensive on the one hand but then to enforce a via system that makes it more difficult for Indians to come to our country with the other.”