Changing Tier 2: what’s next?
The recent changes to the Immigration Rules affect almost all Tiers of the UK’s visa system, not least that of Tier 2.
This entry route into the UK for skilled workers with a promise of work has recently come under fire, with the government commissioning the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to launch a review into how the Tier 2 visa category could be tightened.
The results of this review are due in December this year but until then, recent changes to the Immigration Rules affect Tier 2 only in that two extra occupations have been added to the ‘fast-track’ shortage occupations list.
These occupations have been chosen from within industries which are experiencing a severe lack of UK talent and are as follows:
- Nursing staff; and
- Four roles from within the digital technology sector.
It is quite possible, however, that come the New Year, much more than just the shortage occupations list will be altered.
The MAC has been charged with looking at a myriad of changes proposed by the UK government, including the potential effects and outcomes of a new skills levy on those UK organisations employing skilled Tier 2 migrants, and the prohibition of the dependants of these migrants from working in the UK. Once their findings are released in December it will be interesting to see how the government will proceed.
One thing is for sure, the government plans to increase the already considerable costs payable by companies who wish to hire an employee from outside the EU.
The potential changes could also present future migrant workers with a less attractive immigration package, which may well deter some of them from coming to the UK altogether.
Whichever changes the government decides to introduce in January, it is certain that they will continue to make the process and experience of relocating to the UK for work purposes far from easy.
Read more about the proposed changes to the Tier 2 skilled migrant entry route.
