Skilled Indian migrants wishing to make Britain their home can return
July 18, 2008
In Britain, retraction of immigration policy by the High Court ruling, has given hopes to 30,000 Indians who were forced to leave the country, to return back if they so desire.
In 2002, thousands of Indians were literally lured to benefit from UK’s Highly Skilled Migrants Programme (HSMP) as it promised permanent settlement once they complete five years of employment. Their dreams vanished in thin air in November 2006 owing to changes in the visa rules.
A new point based system was introduced by the Immigration Ministry, which was retrospective in nature, affecting most of those, admitted under HSMP, who failed to meet necessary ‘points’ requirement
A long drawn court battle, fought by HSMP forum, resulted in a favourable ruling. The court set aside the changes made by the Immigration Ministry considering them as unlawful. As a result, finally justice was done to thousands of migrants as they can extend the visa and make a honourable return.
Besides, those migrants whose extension was denied after November 2006 will not be required to pay the application fee again. Also, the time spent in India after the changes would be counted towards the settlement criteria on their return to the UK.
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