Mutual recognition pacts between India, UK may be ready in 36 months

New Delhi: India and the UK have agreed to negotiate mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) to facilitate the movement of professionals such as nurses, accountants and architects to Britain, an official told ET.

This is crucial as in certain professional services, recognition of qualifications is an essential requirement.

"It has been agreed that both countries will engage in mutual recognition of qualifications because in certain professional services, recognition of qualifications is an essential requirement like nurses, architects, accountants and dentists. Within a period of 36 months, we will try to enter into MRAs with the UK," said the official.

MRAs in professional services confer recognition of certain licensing or qualification requirements obtained in the jurisdiction of other countries.

In the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Britain has also provided an assured mobility regime for various categories of Indian professionals. Business visitors across all sectors will be allowed entry for up to 90 days within any six months. Intra-corporate transferees including partners and dependents can stay for up to three years. Graduate trainees have also been accommodated under this category.

Investors will be permitted a stay of one year. Contractual service suppliers from 33 sub-sectors, including IT, ITeS, finance, business services, hospitality and transport, can operate in the UK for 12 months within 24 months. Independent professionals from 16 sub-sectors, such as IT, business consulting, telecom and finance, can also access the UK market under similar terms.


At present, about 60,000 Indian intra-corporate transferees are working in the UK in the IT sector.

"For that, the UK has committed that they will provide a visa for three years not only for workers but also for their partners and dependents... Most important is that the UK has also agreed that no numerical restrictions will be imposed on workers," the official added.

The UK has agreed not to impose numerical quotas or Economic Needs Test requirements for these categories. On the other hand, India has given market access in professional, financial (like insurance), environmental and other services to the UK.

"The UK has expertise in these services and it will lead to investments also in India... India has ensured that its policy space in sensitive sectors is preserved," the official added.

India has a trade surplus of around $6.6 billion with the UK.

Officials said India has not made any commitments to the UK on easing cap on British banks opening more branches.