A new Visa Application Centre (VAC) was on Tuesday opened in Indias IT capital by British Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis, who said it would help experienced and skilled Indian workers in the city to go to Britain.
The VAC, which is in the middle of Bengaluru's business district, is the 18th VAC in India. The other centres are in key locations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, said a British Embassy press release.
India is the fourth largest investor in the UK, and last year UK businesses benefited from almost 60,000 work visas granted to Indian nationals, nearly two-thirds of all UK work visas issued globally. It is anticipated that the opening of the new VAC will serve to benefit some of the biggest IT firms in India, including Infosys and Tata Corporate Services, by ensuring their best talent has easy access to the UK.
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Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: "The opening of this visa application centre is yet another example of how the Government is making it easier for businesses across the world to work with the UK. India has always been an important partner for us and we are committed to building on this relationship and positioning ourselves as a truly global Britain.
"The UK is open for business and this centre will make it easier than ever before for the brightest and best Indian workers in the important IT industry to come to the UK. We want to ensure that both countries are benefiting from the sharing of ideas, expertise and technology."
--IANS
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