The government has published a ‘statement of intent’ setting out how the points-based immigration system will change from 6 April 2011. The changes include a limit of 20,700 on the number of immigrants that can enter under the general tier known as Tier 2. However, employers filling vacancies with salaries of £150,000 or more will not be subject to this limit in order to attract ‘the brightest and the best’.
Other changes include no longer granting employers an annual allocation for the number of migrants they can bring into the country. Instead, employers will have to apply for a certificate of sponsorship for each individual post. An additional 1,000 visas will also be made available under the ‘Exceptional Talent’ (Tier 1) route.
Paul Burton, Employment Solicitor at Frettens, says “It is expected that the government will lay the changes before Parliament in mid-March, following which the UK Border Agency will publish detailed guidance for both employers and migrants”.
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