Permanent Immigration Cap Introduced

Under the new system employers will only be able to bring in 20,700 skilled or highly skilled people from outside of the European Union under Tier 2 (General) with a further 1,000 visas available for people of exceptional talent (e.g. Nobel Prize winners etc) under Tier 1.

The Coalition Government hopes the new scheme, along with changes to Tier 4 of the Points Based system, will bring about a fall in net migration to ‘tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands’ per year. However, many are sceptical whether the changes will make any real difference to headline figures (there is no way to limit migration within the EU) and are concerned that the limit will make it far more difficult for UK businesses to get the highly skilled niche workers they require.

Speaking on the introduction of the scheme the Immigration Minister, Damian Green, said that \’The annual limit will not only help reduce immigration down to sustainable levels but will protect those businesses and institutions that are vital to our economy. The new system was designed in consultation with business. We have made clear that as the recovery continues, we need employers to look first to people who are out of work and who are already in this country. We are overhauling all routes of entry to tackle abuses, make the system more effective and bring net migration back down to the tens of thousands.\’

Controversially the Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer (ICT) scheme has been left outside of the current Immigration Cap. The scheme, which allows multinational corporations to transfer staff between international offices, has been blamed for a significant rise in UK Immigration and an undercutting of resident businesses. Staff seconded from abroad for temporary assignments can achieve tax savings and can be paid lower wages than those of resident nationals. The Government has been keen not to restrict this area as it has been working to agree a huge trade deal with India.

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). Commonwealth Contractors also provides updates on UK Immigration News.

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