Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) will not affect Indians trying to move to the country, say Indians working abroad. This is because they already face many restrictions as non-EU migrants. But one immediate impact could be on the earnings sent home.
“Earlier, only non-EU migrants had to apply for a visa to work in the United Kingdom. Now this may apply to others as well. For Indians, the immediate change is in terms of money expats send home as there has been a sharp fall in the value of the pound,” said Ashok Raj, an engineer from Bengaluru working in Paderborn, Germany.
Vithul Payangott, a political economy research student at King’s College, London, said, “Britain is exiting from the EU, and the vote is against the freedom to work and live between European nations. ” He said the referendum outcome could lead to political fissures within the UK, with a majority of Scots keen to be part of the EU. He too said Indians are unlikely to face more restrictions than they already do.
Neil Ranasinghe, a technical writer based in London, said Brexit could make it hard for people from Southeast Asia to move to the UK for jobs a few years down the line.
“In theory, it won’t affect immigrants in the near future. But a lot of people are worried about the move to the right and the increasing distrust of foreigners, as that was one of the major reasons people voted to leave,” he said.
...People are worried about the move to the right and the increasing distrust of foreigners.
Neil Ranasinghe
Writer based in London
