The threat of deportation is looming large over a number of Indians holding Highly Skilled Migrants Programme visas in the UK as they find it difficult to get their travel permit renewed as a sequel to changes effected by the British Government to its entry rules.

Under the Highly-Skilled Migrant Programme, the highly skilled Indians were welcomed into this country on the promise that they would qualify for permanent status within a few years.

But in November last, the Home Office abruptly made the visa extension rules tougher.

Now "ninety per cent of the 49,000 HSMP holders, mostly Indians do not qualify for further leave to remain in the UK," Amit Kapadia, director and coordinator of HSMP Forum told PTI on Thursady.

As per the new rules, the UK government is emphasising more on younger age and higher salaries of the individuals.

Kapadia said after the changes implemented with retrospective effect, HSMP visa holders are being asked to re-qualify for their visa extension through an "unfair points based system rather than initial promise of extension on economic activity alone."

The case of Dr George Joseph, who came here under the HSMP scheme in December 2005, and settled in Southampton, reflects the plight of most of the HSMP visa holders.

Joseph was working in the Middle East in the government sector before coming to the UK. He was well settled there having reached a senior level in his career.

As per the rules that were in vogue at that time "there was not much problem in getting the renewal of visa after one year as I have been economically active," he said.

"I heard that there was a shortage of science graduates in UK and we also thought about the good educational opportunities our children are going to get in the UK," Joseph said.

"Once I started applying for jobs, most of the companies were not willing to give me a responsible permanent job as my visa was valid for a period of less than one year. They have got long-term projects in the scientific industries because of which I had to manage with contract jobs where the pay package has not been very good."

Joseph's application for a visa extension was refused on February 28, 2007 and was told in writing, "You no longer have any right to stay in the United Kingdom and...you must leave as soon as possible. If you do not leave the UK voluntarily, you will be removed to India."

Joseph has now made an appeal against refusal of visa extension and a decision is expected in the next 45 days to two months.

Another striking case is that of Debansu Das, who did his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management and fell short of points for getting further extension of his visa.

"It's not easy for Asians to get into high profiled jobs in UK with higher salaries especially with a limited leave to remain. I don't qualify for further extension due to this retrospective change in rules because of which I am in line for a possible refusal of extension and hence deportation."