Permits Foundation writes to Prime Minister of India
10 August 2022The Chair of Permits Foundation has today written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of our effort in India to secure direct work access for spouses of intra-company transferees via the E-3X visa. This letter follows positive meetings that the Foundation has had with the Minister of State for Home Affairs, the Joint Secretary of the Foreigners Division and with the government public policy think tank NITI Aayog.
India is one of the countries most frequently cited by members of our global network as a destination where legislative change would be welcomed to facilitate work access for partners of highly-skilled international employees. This is reflected by the support we have received from Patrons and many of our sponsor companies operating in India, who have spoken with and/or written letters of support to the Ministry and have also accompanied the Foundation to meetings to help reinforce the importance of this issue.
In our letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foundation commends the government for the creation of the more streamlined visa system and in particular, the E-3 and E-3X visa categories for intra-company transferees and their spouses. Permits Foundation makes the request for a small amendment to the E-3X visa conditions, permitting these spouses to take up employment, self-employment or voluntary work for the duration of the visa and co-terminus with the E-3 visa holder.
Highly-skilled professionals are typically accompanied by highly-skilled spouses whose expectation is to continue to be able to access employment. The letter highlights that if such authorisation were to be assured pre-move, companies would find it much easier to transfer knowledge and skills in a range of sectors, enhancing India’s standing as a preferred business destination and boosting FDI.
Permits Foundation’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
