UK Government Announces First Quotas for Non-EEA Migrants

Another SAD news to Malaysian who have intention to ‘migrate’ to the UK.

March 2010, the new UK government has retained the Conservative idea by introducing a ‘cap’ or quota to limit the number of non-EU to work in the UK.

The following is an extract from the agreed Programme for Government on the subject of immigration;

“The Government believes that immigration has enriched our culture and strengthened our economy, but that it must be controlled so that people have confidence in the system. We also recognise that to ensure cohesion and protect our public services, we need to introduce a cap on immigration and reduce the number of non EU immigrants.”

On the 28th June, the UK Government announces the first ‘quota’ for non-EU immigrants. New Tier 1 Highly Skilled visa will be capped to 5400 and Tier 2 Work Permit will be capped to 18,700.

For more information, please read the following article published in UK Border Agency website effective from 19 July 2010:

• New Tier 1 (General)
• New Tier 2 (General)

The following summary extracted from Davenport Lyons website (Accessed: 30 June 2010)

If you are a non-EEA migrant looking to come to the UK to work, or a business looking to bring in a skilled worker, the new visa quotas announced today by the UK Government are important news.

From 19 July 2010:

• New Tier 1 (General) visas granted outside the UK for the most highly skilled individuals will be capped at 5,400;
• New Tier 2 (General) visas granted outside the UK for skilled individuals who are sponsored by a licensed UK employer will be capped at 18,700.

These caps will be in place until April 2011 when the quota scheme will be officially launched.  These interim caps are designed to prevent a flood of applications over the coming months.

Businesses or employees preparing applications now should act fast to ensure that they do not fall foul of the new quotas, which are based on the number of applications made over the same period last year (or in respect of Tier 2, last year’s numbers minus 5%) and which are part of the UK Government’s avowed aim to reduce overall net migration.

Tier 1 routes for investors, entrepreneurs and recent graduates are excluded from the quota, as are Tier 2 intra-company transfers, ministers of religion and elite sportspeople.  Applications made by migrants already in the UK (other than visiting) are also excluded.  With new quotas comes a tightening of the Tier 1 points test, with 80 points required for a pass, rather than 75.

Word of Advice: If you have intention to apply for  Tier 1 or Tier 2, I seriously think if you’re qualified; you need to submit your application asap to avoid any further changes to the policy in April 2011.

What are your thoughts on this new ruling?