From financial relief to greater job access, India–UK free trade pact holds major gains for NRIs in UK

India and UK finalised their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after three long years of negotiations and disucssions. The agreement, hailed as one of the most comprehensive trade deals signed by either country in recent years, is set to deliver a powerful boost not just to trade and investment—but also to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) working in the UK.Beyond trade numbers and investment figures, the India–UK FTA marks a strategic win for the Indian diaspora, particularly those contributing to the UK’s services-driven economy. By reducing financial burdens, facilitating mobility, and opening new job avenues, the agreement lays the foundation for stronger, deeper people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Relief from dual Social Security payments

At the heart of this agreement lies a provision that could have a significant financial impact for thousands of Indian professionals: a three-year exemption from social security contributions.

Under the FTA’s Double Contribution Convention, Indian professionals temporarily posted to the UK—and their employers—will be exempt from paying social security contributions for a period of three years. This eliminates the burden of double payments, which Indian workers have long faced when contributing both in India and the UK.

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This exemption is expected to lead to notable financial savings for Indian professionals and enhance their cost competitiveness in the UK labour market, particularly in sectors such as IT, finance, education, and professional services.

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Greater professional mobility

The FTA also brings welcome changes in the mobility of Indian professionals, making it easier for individuals in various sectors to work in the UK. These include:

• Contractual Service Suppliers
• Intra-Corporate Transferees and their families
• Independent Professionals such as yoga instructors, chefs, artists, and musicians
• Investors and Business Visitors

This streamlined mobility framework offers broader career access, quicker approvals, and stronger protections for Indian workers in the UK.

Expansion of opportunities in services sector

The UK has committed to deep liberalisation in services, making it one of the most ambitious service-sector commitments it has made under any trade agreement.

This means Indian firms and professionals will now find greater market access in key domains:

• IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS)
• Financial and accounting services
• Architectural and engineering consultancy
• Education and telecom services

This is particularly significant given the UK’s strength in digitally delivered services, and India’s growing pool of tech-savvy, skilled youth.
The agreement also strengthens India’s position in the global talent ecosystem, making it easier for Indian professionals to live and work abroad, while also creating new links between Indian businesses and international markets.

For young Indians, the FTA offers expanded pathways to the UK’s high-value job sectors and a clearer roadmap for international career advancement.

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