Global Partner. Integrated Solutions.
25 June 2026
India–UK Double Contribution Convention to take effect from 15 July 2026
 
India and the UK have agreed a DCC that will come into force alongside the CETA on 15 July 2026. A DCC is a type of Social Security Agreement (SSA) that co-ordinates the payment of social security contributions, and it forms part of the wider India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The DCC will support business and trade by ensuring that employees moving between India and the UK, and their employers, are liable to pay social security contributions in only one country at a time. It will also ensure that employees temporarily working in another country continue to pay social security contributions in their home country, preventing the fragmentation of their social security record.

Key features under the DCC arrangement
  • Employees who are working for an India-based employer and are sent to the UK for up to a maximum of 60 months temporarily will be considered 'detached workers'.
  • The 52-week NIC exemption period will be extended to 5 years for detached workers.
  • This means that detached workers sent by India-based employers to work temporarily in the UK will be exempt from contributing to the UK's social security system and not build entitlement to the UK State Pension or other contributory benefits for up to 5 years. They will continue to contribute to India's social security scheme (the India Employees' Provident Funds Scheme) similar to the amount they would have paid in UK NICs.
  • To exempt an employee from contributing to UK social security under the DCC, a Certificate of Coverage (COC) must be obtained from India's social security authorities.
  • They will have to meet several requirements before getting a visa. This can include sponsorship from a UK business or a contract to supply a service with a UK-based company. Specific salary thresholds will also need to be satisfied, for example, for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.
  • The NICs exemption will not apply if the employee sent to work in the UK was intending to stay for more than 60 months. In that case, they would not be considered 'detached workers' and would be liable to pay UK NICs from the start of their work in the UK.
  • Indians employed directly by UK companies or other foreign businesses operating in the country will NOT qualify for the DCC arrangement.
Our Comments

The DCC agreement is expected to provide significant savings for Indian businesses and professionals working on temporary assignments, particularly in the IT sector, preventing temporary workers from making social security contributions in both countries simultaneously. This will reduce operational costs for Indian IT services companies with a presence in the UK, improving the efficiency of cross-border talent deployment and protecting the margins of service-exporting businesses.
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