Visa Ban for Indians? Jenrick Targets Illegal Migration with Stricter UK Policies

Robert Jenrick, a key candidate in the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader, has proposed imposing strict visa bans on countries that refuse to take back their citizens living illegally in the UK. His proposal specifically targets India and Vietnam, as the UK grapples with a rising number of illegal migrants.

Jenrick highlighted that in 2023 alone, the UK granted 250,000 visas to Indian nationals for work, study, and tourism. However, he pointed out that around 100,000 Indians are currently residing in the UK illegally. Moreover, deportation efforts have been slow, with “returns stuck in the hundreds,” despite the large number of illegal residents.

Could Visa Bans Impact Indian Nationals?

Jenrick’s plan raises concerns about the future of visas for Indian nationals. His proposal includes:

• Severe visa restrictions for countries that refuse to cooperate on returning illegal migrants.
• Aid cuts to countries that benefit from UK assistance but fail to repatriate their citizens living illegally in the UK.

“It’s time to play hardball,” Jenrick stated, signaling a potential shift in the UK’s visa policies towards India.

UK-India Deportation Agreement Falls Short

In 2021, the United Kingdom and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at speeding up the deportation of illegal Indian nationals.

However, the results have been underwhelming. In 2023, only 22,807 illegal migrants were removed from the UK, with Indian nationals making up 15% of this total, equivalent to 3,439 individuals.

Jenrick believes this is insufficient and plans to boost overall deportations to over 100,000 per year if his proposals are adopted.

Broader Consequences for Immigration Policy

While India is a major focus, Jenrick’s proposals also include designating countries like Vietnam, Turkey, and Brazil as “safe countries.” This designation would allow the UK to speed up deportations for migrants from these nations, similar to a deal already in place with Albania.

He also advocates for the UK to exit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to simplify deportations, particularly for foreign offenders.

This could lead to faster removals of individuals from safe countries, including India, placing additional pressure on their visa systems.

Impact on Indian Workers and Students

Indian nationals make up a large portion of the UK’s student and skilled worker population. If Jenrick’s proposal moves forward, Indian nationals applying for work, study, or visit visas may face more stringent requirements, or even outright bans, depending on the UK government’s future stance on repatriation issues.

Jenrick stressed that illegal migration is causing “intolerable pressure” on the UK’s communities and economy, leading to a sharp rise in costs for taxpayers.

Will Visa Bans Become Reality?

While Jenrick’s plans are bold, they have not yet been adopted as official policy. As the leadership race continues, his stance on immigration and visa restrictions will likely play a significant role in determining his support among Conservative Party members.

If he succeeds, his proposals will lead to sweeping changes in visa grants for nationals from countries like India, potentially restricting UK access for thousands of applicants.

With Indians representing one of the largest migrant groups in the UK, the outcome of this leadership race could have far-reaching implications for future visa policies.

(With inputs from TOI)