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‘Cap’ on hiring skilled migrants affects employers

Due to a key part of the Government’s scheme to reduce net migration, it was concluded that the yearly cap on skilled migrants of 20,700 will not be raised, despite a substantial rise in demand from UK employers.

As predicted, the effects of this decision are now being keenly felt by many businesses across the UK, who have had their requests for restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) denied this month.

UK organisations wishing to employ a highly skilled migrant worker must apply on a monthly basis for an allocation of restricted CoS, which are an essential part of sponsoring a migrant employee. Each request earns points according to a set of criteria where the proposed level of salary being offered to the migrant worker is key. Monthly allocations of restricted CoS are awarded to those requests which attract the most points.

This means that the lower the salary stated on the restricted CoS, the lower the chances of the requested restricted CoS being granted.

Although the Home Office is yet to publish official figures, it is apparent that the demand from UK employers to recruit skilled migrants has significantly outstripped the supply of restricted CoS available for allocation this month. This has led to the authorities denying every request filed where the proposed salary offered to the migrant was quoted at less than £46,000.

Any employer who has received news that their request has been denied but still would like to hire the migrant worker, should prepare to re-submit their request again next month.

With the UK economy going from strength to strength, however, the demand for restricted Certificates of Sponsorship is always likely to outstrip the fixed number available from the government.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and await further clarification from the Home Office on the specific numbers affected.

If you or your organisation have any concerns regarding your monthly restricted CoS allocation needs please contact Smith Stone Walters today.

Click here for more information on how the migrant cap could affect your business this year


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