Dyson says Tier 4 changes are “sheer madness”

Sir James Dyson, the inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, has told the BBC that the decision by the Coalition Government to tighten up the rules surrounding science and engineering graduates under Tier 4 visa is “sheer madness”. Last week Theresa May announced plans to change Tier 4 of the points based system in order to reduce the number of applicants to a maximum 100,000 per year. The Government turned its attention to Tier 4 following the Introduction of the Immigration Cap and the cancellation of the highly popular Tier 1 General scheme.

Mr Dyson said to the BBC that “I am extremely concerned because already England is under-producing the numbers of engineers it needs by 50 per cent. There are 37,000 vacancies a year and about 20,000 graduates. So already it is very, very difficult to find engineers. I think it is sheer madness to be effectively chucking out graduates who we desperately need. I am afraid what it will end up doing is driving firms like us abroad because we simply can’t get people to do our research and development.”

Last week’s changes to Tier 4 of the points based system included;

• The closure of the Tier 1 Post Study Worker category from April 2012
• A limit on the time that can be spent on a student visa:
  • Three years at lower levels
  • Five years at higher levels (with the exception of students studying for professional qualifications or a PhD)
• Those graduating from a UK University with a PGCE, PGDE or recognised degree will be able to switch in country to a Tier 2 General visa (where they have secured employment with a Tier 2 Licensed organisation)
• From April 2012 sponsors will need to hold ‘highly trusted sponsor’ status and will need to become accredited by a statutory education inspection body by the end of 2012
• An upper intermediate level of English language ability (Level B2) will be required for those coming to study at degree level (rather than the current B1 requirement)
• UK Border Agency staff may refuse entry to students who cannot speak English without an interpreter

The Government has been keen to tighten up the UK Immigration system after a General Election pledge to reduce net migration to the UK to ‘tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands per year’.

Commonwealth Contractors

Commonwealth Contractors is a collection of highly skilled professionals from the Commonwealth and beyond. We partner with OISC Registered Immigration Partners capable of professionally representing a Tier 1 Visa Application / Extension and Tier 2 Licensed Consultancy & Associated Trust Partners who may be prepared, where required, to sponsor a doctor on a Tier 2 Visa (formerly UK Work Permit).

To find out more call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get back to you. Please be prepared to send a copy of a recent CV so that we can pass to interested partners.