Indian Nationals Can Now Apply for GBM Service Supplier Visa Under UK-India Trade Deal
26 Mar 2026
From today, Indian nationals have access to a new visa route under the UK-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). A dedicated quota of 1,800 places per year has opened on the Global Business Mobility (GBM) Service Supplier route specifically for Indian nationals.
The GBM Service Supplier route is designed for professionals employed overseas who come to the UK to fulfil a specific contract between their employer and a UK client. Eligible sectors include IT consulting, engineering, finance, research and development, and niche creative roles. Applicants do not need to meet an English language requirement or a minimum salary threshold — unusual features compared to most work routes. Stays are permitted for up to 12 months per assignment, and the 1,800-place annual cap runs on a calendar year basis (1 January to 31 December) using a first-come, first-served online allocation system.
What this does not do: The GBM Service Supplier route is a temporary work route. It does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) on its own. If you are an Indian national already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa and working toward ILR, this route is not relevant to your current path. Where it may be relevant is if you are employed by an Indian company and being sent to deliver project work in the UK — it could offer an alternative to the standard Skilled Worker route in those circumstances.
How to apply: Applications are made through GOV.UK. The annual quota allocation is managed online and operates first-come, first-served within each calendar year. Given the cap is 1,800 across all eligible Indian applicants, places may fill up as awareness of the route grows.
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