India, Aug. 6 -- The UK government has announced a major expansion of its Global Talent visa program, allowing more than 100 research-intensive companies, including pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and automaker Jaguar Land Rover, to sponsor leading scientists, researchers and engineers through a fast-track immigration route previously dominated by universities and research institutions.

The announcement is part of Britain's broader strategy to strengthen its clean energy, life sciences and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors while addressing concerns from businesses that the country's immigration system has made it harder to attract highly skilled global talent.

Under the changes announced on Thursday, research-intensive businesses wi...