UK: Restrictions on occupations eligibile for migrant visas
Description
On 7 February 2011 the UK Border Agency announced that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) had recommended that the number of occupations eligible for Tier 2 visas has been reduced by 71 from 192 to 121. The relevant press release notes "The shorter list of occupations means that Tier 2 applicants will only be able to apply for jobs covering the most skilled 39 percent of the labour market rather than the current 56 percent."
Previously "the government raised the threshold for Tier 2 visas to 'graduate level' and commissioned the MAC to examine which occupations should qualify."
The occupations no longer eligible include retail managers, hairdressing and beauty salon managers, laboratory technicans, and estate agents.
Any Evidence-Based Deliberation:
| Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Is there anything in the public record to suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed measure was considered during official deliberations? | |
| Is there any evidence that alternatives to the proposed measure were considered? | |
| Is there anything in the public record that suggests that empirical evidence informed the comparison across the alternatives available to government? | |
| Was such evidence identified? | |
| Is such evidence publicly available? | |
| Did the official decision-maker in question provide an explanation as to why a chosen measure was favoured over alternatives? | |
| Is there any evidence to suggest that potentially affected trading partners were consulted before the measures were taken? | |
| Is there any evidence that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that implementation of the initiative is transparent and non-discriminatory? | |
| Did the government state its intention to review the measure within one year of implementation? |
Date Discovered:
Implemented: Yes
Date of inception: 7 Feb 2011
GTA Evaluation: Red
Source:
UK Border Agency. "New recommendations on the occupations to be removed from Tier 2 of the points-based system." 7 February 2011.
Government Response:
- 658 reads
