Yahoo Finance VIP Visas Aimed At Drawing Executives To UK
British visas are to be offered under a "same-day service" in China and a number of other countries in a bid to make the UK immigration service more pro-growth.
The move was announced by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, who also unveiled plans to offer bespoke visa support to around 100 global business leaders.
They will be invited to join the new "Great" club with access to an account manager whose aim is to make their dealings with the visa and immigration system "swift and smooth".
Britain's priority visa service - between three and five days - will be expanded from 67 to over 90 countries by next spring.
And the one-day offering only available in India will be extended to China and a number of other locations.
There will also be a special mobile visa service starting with a pilot in south India.
Mrs May said she wanted "excellent customer service" to help Britain maintain a "world class, competitive visa system".
She admitted that was necessary for the UK to serve the "ever-changing needs" of business and succeed in the global economic race.
She added: "We will continue to listen and respond to the needs of high-value and high-priority businesses so that we can provide them with a service that supports economic growth, while at the same time maintains the security of our borders."
The move is in response to fears within Government and outside it that Britain's crackdown on immigration is deterring highly skilled individuals from visiting the country.
Businesses and the City say they need to be able to bring in the best talent to help boost economic growth.
The new scheme will operate as a 12-month pilot, starting in the new year.
The issue has caused tensions inside the Coalition, with the Lib Dem business minister Vince Cable being particularly vocal.
He has also spoken out about universities.
They fear that the attempt to reduce net immigration to the tens of thousands - and the rhetoric it carries - is weakening their chances of attracting the best students.
That limits their ability to compete with institutions in other countries such as the US, Germany and Australia.
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