subject: Bad news for UK Immigration? Caps on non-EU migrants to be implemented as of July 2010 [print this page] Bad news for UK Immigration? Caps on non-EU migrants to be implemented as of July 2010
This week-end the collation Government announced its first steps towards the introduction of a cap on non-EU skilled migration. Although the UK Border Agency's website has not yet issued an official statement in its news section, it has been widely reported in the media that a temporary cap of 24,100 might be imposed on migrants on the two most prized categories under the Points Based Scheme, namely the Tier 1 (for highly skilled) and Tier 2 (for sponsored workers) until April 2011.
It is likely that the Government will announce a consultation with employers and business as well as academic institutions and other sectors which might be affected by the closing of the "tap" for highly skilled. However, greater emphasis is likely to be placed on the findings of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
No caps are foreseen for investors and entrepreneurs who require substantial amount of money to be invested within three months from their visa's approval.
At this stage,it is possible that a temporary cap of 5400 will be placed on the number of out of country main applicants under the Tier 1 (General) Scheme as well as raising the pass mark by 5 points for all new applicants.
Secondly, the Government is also planning on introducing an interim limit on the number of migrants who can be offered jobs by UK sponsor employers through the Tier 2 with a cap of 18,700.
One wonders what benefits might really be derived from preventing bright and skilled individual from coming to work and offering their services in the UK (as migrants cannot claim public funds but must pay taxes), however the political argument might win the day.
