In 2011 the government implemented a cap on the number of non-EEA migrants who would be able to apply to work and reside in the UK as a Tier 2 (General) migrant, excluding those who receive a salary above £155,300.00, individuals who will be carrying out jobs on the list of shortage occupations and UK graduates who are switching directly into the Tier 2 category.
The annual limit is 20,700, which is divided between each month.The cap was reached in June 2015, when a vast number of requests were submitted, well over the 1650 allocations available. Due to the high number of requests the individuals who were to receive a salary of below £46,000.00 were rejected.
It is likely that the cap will be reached again in the next few months, as a result of sponsors resubmitted rejected requests, potentially causing those with a salary under £46,000.00 or even under £75,000.00 being rejected.
If the higher salary is implemented again this is likely to have a detrimental impact on companies who rely on non-EEA migrants to undertake employment as they are generally on lower salaries or have skills that they are unable to obtain from the UK workforce.
It is a clear need for more allocations to be issued to allow more skilled migrant workers to carry out employment in the UK to fulfill the needs of the UK based companies. The government have confirmed that they will not be increasing the allocations and will be imposing more restrictions so that businesses are more likely to train and recruit from those settled and present in the UK.
If the above relates to you as an individual or an employer of Non-EEA migrants and you have any queries or concerns please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
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